Curated OER
What is Democracy?
Students explore the facets of democracy. In this civic responsibility activity, students create a definition of democracy and discuss the difference between a spectator and a participatory citizen. Students discuss whose...
Curated OER
A Dictionary of Democracy
Middle schoolers create dictionary of terms for citizens of a democracy, using events and biographies from both their state's history and U.S. history.
Curated OER
What is Democracy?
In this democratic values worksheet, students read the definition of democracy and respond to 3 questions regarding the right to vote.
Curated OER
ANTICIPATORY SET
Learners are be able to analyze primary sources (photographs and speeches) and write a definition of American Democracy. They are shown a photograph of Martin Luther King Jr. by Ben Fernandez, students are asked what is happening in the...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Defining Democracy and Freedom
This is a simple but effective introduction to democracy. It requires the class to generate working definitions of key terms (provided) and to determine the degree of democracy in various geographic locations today. After they conduct...
Curated OER
Respect and Democracy
Students explore the concept of respect. In this respect and democracy lesson, students define respect and brainstorm examples of showing respect and disrespect. Students read Core Values of American Constitutional Democracy and pick out...
Curated OER
Reading Vocabulary Definition Test
In this vocabulary definition test learning exercise, students listen to oral definitions and write the words and then create sentences using given words. Students write 25 answers.
Curated OER
Getting to Democracy
Students define democracy and analyze the conditions needed for democracy to flourish. Students research governments in the Middle East to determine how and if they have any form of democracy within their government.
Rice University
American Government 2e
An informative resource provides a textbook on American government that covers topics such as the definition of government and how democracy works. Each section provides brief questions at the end to assess scholars' understanding.
Curated OER
Democracy is Cool
Students discuss the components of a representative democracy. In groups, they create a t-shirt that shows the components and why it is "cool" to live in a democracy. As a class, they examine the concept of the common good and how...
Curated OER
Voters, Ballots, and Elections: Matching
After studying voting and elections in the United States, have your class show what they know. They match 15 terms related to voting, ballots, and elections to the proper definition. This is a great way to practice vocabulary or content...
Judicial Learning Center
Rule of Law WebQuest
Go on a WebQuest to find the Rule of Law! Scholars use the Internet to learn all about how law works in a democracy and how the Rule of Law relates to both American government and governments around the world. Researchers then engage in...
Curated OER
Civic Virtue in Democracy
Students identify and describe characteristics of civic virtue. Following a class discussion, they create their own definitions of civic virtue. They write essays based on their own definitions and formulate conclusions on the state of...
Curated OER
My Way or the Highway
Students read "Saudis Uneasily Balance Desires for Change and Stability" from The New York Times and discuss Saudi Arabia as it considers a change from monarchy to democracy. Students work in groups to research and create timelines on...
Curated OER
The Legacy of Ancient Greece and Rome
Where did the inspiration for the US government system come from? From the ancient Greeks and Romans, of course. Scholars define nine terms relating to Greek and Roman government, complete a graphic organizer, and list the greatest...
Curated OER
Rules and Responsibilities: Youth and the Process of Change
First graders analyze politics by participating in a class rules lesson plan. In this democracy lesson plan, 1st graders identify several class and school rules they dislike and conduct discussions to examine if they should be changed or...
Curated OER
Tunisia to Egypt & Beyond: Freedom & Democracy?
Students examine democratic values. In this current events lesson, students watch video clips about rebellions on Tunisia and Egypt. Students respond to the provided discussion questions and participate in a critical thinking activity on...
Curated OER
Researching American Democracy
Students compare Watergate and the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students define vocabulary terms and read articles regarding the impeachment process. Students respond to questions that require them to...
Curated OER
Ensuring Democracy in Iraq
Pupils explore what democracy means and how it can be spread to Iraq. They create strategies to ensure elections are fair. Students discuss the importance of fair voting conditions and the features of a democracy.
Curated OER
World History Pre-Assessment
What do the members of your class already know about world history? This is a fabulous pre-assessment that will illustrate the varying levels of general world history knowledge among your young historians that you can use to inform your...
Facing History and Ourselves
Defining Human Rights
Eleanor Roosevelt leads the drive to draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To begin a study of universal rights, class members create a definition of a right and compare it to the 1947 version. They then investigate Eleanor's...
Curated OER
Truth, War and Consequences
Students explore their understanding of democracy, while comparing their concept of democracy with other students. They also research the possibility of democracy in Iraq.
Curated OER
Democracy…Not Yet!
Students analyze the concept of democracy. In this democratic values instructional activity, students analyze the lyrics of selected popular music that address issues that challenge the role of United States as a world leader. Students...
Curated OER
Ancient Greece
Students explore the origins of modern language. In this etymology lesson, students discuss the cultural influences of Ancient Greece on modern society. Students design and complete charts that demonstrate the original and contemporary...