Have Fun With History
Have Fun With History: u.s. Government
Module with numerous videos and links to living history sites on topics in American Government, including the Constitution, the three branches, federalism and an array of other topics.
Other
Seeing the World in Print Through Nonfiction
Unit plan containing five lessons designed for tenth graders. They center around reading and writing nonfiction, and they teach skills such as identifying the features of nonfiction and writing expository texts. All are aligned to...
Other
Web Treasure Hunt: 10 Quest. To Test Newsroom Literacy
This is a great exercise for critical thinking, problem solving and sharpening web search skills. Plenty of explanation accompanies the answers.
Other
Encyber Pedia
An encyclopedia online. Just look for your topic to find information that you need. Provides information on a wide range of topics.
Other
Secondary Lesson Guide for Writing Journalism
Excellent lesson plan page geared towards teachers and students interested in learning how to write feature stories and also learn basic writing tenets. Very practical site.
Other
Us Congress: Congress, the Court, and the Constitution
Transcript of a congressional hearing, held in 1994, to discuss whether Congress had given too much power to the Supreme Court, against the express intent of the Founding Fathers. This transcript is lengthy but informative, containing...
Other
Journalist Express: Homepage
This site from Journalist Express lists more links than you could visit in a lifetime. This is another site to save for future reference.
Other
Ic You See: T Is for Thinking: Guide to Critical Thinking
This clearly presented tutorial can be used by individuals or could be presented to a class. Be sure to take the interactive quiz for some thought-provoking exercises.
Other
Yukon College: Reading & Writing Academic Articles [Pdf]
This detailed guide provides background information about the purpose and structure of journal articles, then walks the reader step-by-step through the reading process. Additional resources are included.
Other
The Center for Public Integrity: Home Page
Excellent site for journalists and others who feel that it is their beat to keep a watchful eye on the political culture of the country through investigations and analyses of public service.
New York Times
New York Times: Times Machine
Browse PDFs of all issues of the "New York Times" now in the public domain. Includes every edition of the paper published since September 18, 1851, when the paper's first issue was produced, through 1922.
Grammarly
Grammarly Handbook: Good or Bad Resource?
This page focuses on how to evaluate resources; it establishes criteria for determining good and bad resources. Primary resources are always good, but secondary and tertiary ones need to be evaluated more closely.
Quia
Quia: Research Game
This activity provides a challenge board game to review information necessary for writing a research paper.
Other
Beginning Reporting: Working With News Sources
Maintaining the right balance of familiarity and distance with your sources is key to good reporting. Journalist Jim Hall offers a few more tips on the human side of dealing with news sources.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Branches of Government
Ben's Guide is a fun way to present US laws to students grades K-12. This site presents a brief history of the branches of Government. Links to related sites are available.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Legislative Branch: The House of Representatives (9 12)
Explores how the House of Representatives was formed, how membership is decided, qualifications, and its special jobs.
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: History of Bills
For any legislative actions enacted upon a specific bill, the specific type of action is recorded in the History of Bills section of the Government Printing Office website. This information comes straight from the Congressional Record,...
University of Oklahoma
Major Congressional Investigations of the Presidency: Fin D'siecle Problems
This excellent and in-depth essay develops the historical framework of congressional investigation. It is an excellent overview and provides links to specific investigations such as Watergate and Iran-Contra. Possible improvements and a...
University of Oklahoma
Congress as Grand Inquest
A thorough discussion of the implied investigative powers of Congress. Early precedents, as well as congressional tools to the process, are described at length.
University of Arizona
University of Arizona: Example #4, New Academic Course Offered
A short example of a press release from the University of Arizona. Good model for students.
University of Arizona
University of Arizona: Example #5, Featured Speaker at a Meeting
A short example of a press release from the University of Arizona. Good model for students.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Legislatures and Democracy Recap: The Lawmakers
You are a congressperson trying to pass your education bill. Join in the extensive public debate, committee work, and parliamentary maneuvering necessary to achieve majority legislative support for your bill.
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: Congressional Bills
The government directory for making current and past bills accessible to the public. Very useful for finding bills pertinent to classes. Will require teacher direction at the elementary levels.
Other
Uni Learning: Strategies for Reading Journal Articles
Clear explanation of how journal articles tend to be structured, as well as tips for extracting information from each part. Includes sample, color-coded exercises.