Congratulations ! We've Appointed you to a Committee while you were out of the Room ! : Let the Deliberations begin !

Should refugees fleeing poverty be allowed the same entrance into the United States as those fleeing persecution? High schoolers read about US foreign policy in the late 20th century regarding refugees from Cuba and Haiti, and engage in...

In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about civil liberties and respond to 3 talking point questions.

Where did the cherished ideals enshrined in the Bill of Rights originate? While history gives the Founding Fathers much of the credit, laws in colonial America influenced the Bill of Rights. An interactive web-based activity allows...

Learners read and understand Ellen Wilson's bill. They review the federal law-making procedure and understand the implications of an appropriation bill to redress housing concerns during a time of looming war. Classmates are split into...

Tenth graders explain the expectations and evaluation criteria of this simulation of the committee process. They draft a bill / law to address an identified current problem or issue.

Where do anti-immigrants myths come from, and how can they be refuted? Learners critically analyze media reports and how to identify reliable sources. After studying a timeline that details the history of US nativism, groups research the...

In committees, 10th graders examine bills written by other students and make suggestions for improvement.

Young scholars examine the ability of the government to suspend individual rights in times of national crisis. They formulate a constitutional amendment that clearly states if, when, how and by whom the rights of individuals can be...

Why did the Founders make it so challenging to amend the US Constitution? To gain an understanding of why the process is so difficult, class members engage in a Constitutional Convention simulation. Groups draft, propose, and debate...

Students research Samuel Adams' role in the crafting of the Second Amendment. They consider how Adams' views evolved with time and write a one-page response linking their research to current events.