Roles of Individuals and Groups in Politics

Have you ever watched a political speech and felt your heart beat a little faster, and your opinion either solidify or begin to slightly change? Rhetorical devices can be a strong tool in an effective and powerful speech. A short lesson...

This is a must-have resource for every social studies teacher covering the civil rights movement. Through an engaging video and detailed viewing guide, young historians learn about the Freedom Riders, and discover how everyday...

Here is a fantastic, comprehensive resource on the roles and powers assigned to the president of the United States. It includes several critical thinking exercises and engaging activities, from cartoon analysis and the opportunity to...

If you've never heard of the Equal Rights Amendment, it's probably because there isn't one in the United States Constitution. Delve into the contentious history behind the ERA, its founders and supporters, and reasons for its political...

As part of a study of the skills needed to become informed citizens, class members examine political cartoons. After analyzing the symbols, viewpoint, and political message intended by the artists, individuals then create their own...

Groups research participatory democracies and compare the role and rights of citizens in ancient history with those in recent U.S. history. Guided by a series of questions, individuals compose a persuasive essay in which they discuss the...

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.

Should all eligible citizens be required to vote? In national elections? In state elections? In local elections? What would be the benefits of such a requirement? The potential harm? Class members consider the importance of voting, write...

To gain a deeper understanding of the scope of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) groups examine a series of videos, articles, and images, to identify the human right's represented. They then research that right in the...

Young scholars examine the role of special interest groups in American politics. They conduct research on recently passed legislation, identify the influence of special interest groups on this legislation, watch a video, and read a handout.