The Role of Special Interest Groups

After considering the role that gasoline plays in our lives and our dependence on it as a society, learners participate in a reading activity discussing why the price of oil is increasing. They will then simulate being members of a...

How are elections really run and won? Learn about special interest groups, super PACs, and lobbyists with an engaging lesson about the caucus process. Young voters research specific interest groups and analyze their part in previous and...

Does the influence of interest groups harm a political system? Your class members will analyze the role of interest groups in American politics, as well as consider the effect of perspective, bias, loyalty, and the First Amendment.

Using an engaging analogy regarding who decides what food should be served in cafeterias, your learners will discover how interest groups work to persuade policy makers and advocate for the needs of their groups. Topics covered in the...

Unauthorized immigration is a complex and hotly debated topic. Class members read an article that examines the issues that motivate unauthorized immigration. Teams then assume the role of special interest groups and present their stand...

Assuming the roles of city council members or special interest groups, your young learners will simulate a situation in which they must decide how to spend an $800,000 grant allocated for local environmental improvements. They will...

Your learners will be excited to take part in this simulation where, acting as members and stake holders at a City Council meeting, they will determine whether or not a curfew for youth ages 17 and under should be instated. They will...

Intended as a follow up to the Protecting Your Drinking Water activity, young environmentalists use their assessment of the a hypothetical town's water supply to debate the installation of underground chemical storage tanks. With the...

Twelfth graders discover how special interest groups sway voters. In this American Politics lesson, 12th graders research selected special interest groups and complete the 3 provided handouts that accompany the lesson.

Research water use in California, environmental protection laws, and the proposition to raise Shasta Dam by 200 feet. Researchers use their findings to build an argument which will be presented at a mock decision panel. Groups then...