Teaching Ideas
The Aztecs
Did you know the Aztecs had two different calendars? Or that Aztec men could have more than one wife? Find out more about this ancient civilization including how they lived, what they ate, and their cultures and beliefs with a set of 20...
Deliberating in a Democracy
Parental Liability
How many teenagers have wanted their parents to let them make their own decisions? The answer is ... all of them! Scholars investigate where parental liability begins and ends in the eyes of the law. Using case studies and legal...
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Rights of the Accused in Search and Seizure
Students explain the rationale behind the Fourth Amendment, and the types of activity regulated by the Constitution. They analyze situations, and explain a citizen's rights when an unlawful search or seizure is conducted.
State Bar of Texas
Roe v. Wade
At what point does the right of privacy end and the government begin? Scholars research rights under the Ninth Amendment to the Constitution. Using the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case as a starting point, along with small group work...
US National Archives
WWII: Western Europe 1939-45 – Invasion
Without the benefit of history, Western Europe in the 1940's had no idea what was about to befall them. Class members use primary sources, including political cartoons, videos, and internal documents, to analyze how much of a threat...
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The Five W's of Tax Day
Use April 15th to teach your students the fundamentals of the American federal tax system.
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3 Branches of State Government
Fourth graders discuss what they think of when they hear the word government and write their suggestions on the board. They discuss what the state government is and what it does. They then discover the three separate branches of...
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The Role of Government
Students are introduced to the economic roles of the federal government. Using the internet, they read information related to government spending and the actual dollar amounts attached to budget items. In groups, they develop their own...
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Who Is Who? What Do They Do?
Second graders create rhymes in order to remember the names of representatives and executives in our government at the state level.
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Lesson 28: Introduction to Illinois Government
Fourth graders research and compare the United States and Illinois Governments. They play the game Who Wans To Be A Millionaire.
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A FREE MARKET WITH THE HELP OF GOVERNMENT
High schoolers engage in a study that explains how laws and government have policies that affect the economy to run more smoothly. The focus is upon the historical development of the free market and how the government was involved....
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Is Charleston Your Lucky Charm?
Students determine what makes Charleston, West Virginia unique. In this West Virginia history lesson plan, students explore the West Virginia History Museum to identify why Charleston became the capitol of the state.
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Social Studies Test B-Grade 5
In this grade 5 social studies test worksheet, 5th graders complete a 30 question multiple choice quiz covering a variety of grade 5 concepts.
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What are the Qualifications to be President of the United States?
Learners research the qualifications necessary to be the president of the United States. They create a want-ad for this position using what they have learned about the qualifications.
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Governments of the World
Learners examine how different world governments function and interact with each other. In groups, they research one of the five types of governments. Students prepare news magazines, Powerpoint presentations, and newspaper storyboards...
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Sixth Grade Social Studies Quiz
In this social studies worksheet, 6th graders complete multiple choice questions about economics, climate, maps, and more. Students complete 15 questions.
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Locke's Second Treatise on Civil Government
In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Locke's Second Treatise on Civil Government.
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This Land is My Land, That Land is Your Land!
Students explore the Native American migrant experience in the United States. They define and describe reservation and the relationship between the U.S. Government and Native tribes through individual textbook research and class discussion.
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Who in the World Is....?
Students access how to scan the newspaper for relevant information. They become acquainted with the sections of the newspaper. Students practice summarizing what they have learned.
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What Makes a Good Family?
Students discuss what makes a "good" family, and think about relationships they have read about. They make connections with the ways their own family relates with each other.
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When is Humanitarian Intervention Justified?
Students analyze different foreign policies to derive their own idea of what constitutes appropriate intervention by a government. They complete a detailed proposal for their own Declaration of Human Rights.
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The IMF in Action: What Does the IMF Do?
High schoolers use newspapers and the internet to discover what the IMF does. They work together in groups to brainstorm occupations which need another language to be spoken. They also examine data related to trading among countries.
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F is for Fair!
Ninth graders examine their human right to education. In this American Government lesson, 9th graders evaluate how well the world is doing when it comes to providing a free, equal, quality education to our youth.
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Civil Rights - What are yours?
Students explore US Civil Rights. In this us government lesson, students watch a video and then complete a worksheet on identifying and understanding their personal civil rights.