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Oil Dependency Among Nations
Young scholars research oil dependency amongst different nations in the world. In this oil dependency lesson plan, students use maps to locate oil sources, consider government actions on oil, and predict U.S. oil dependency.
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Donkeys and Elephants and Voters, Oh My!
Students celebrate party politics. In this American politics lesson, students discover what the 2 main political parties in the country are and discuss their functions. Students then participate in a classroom simulation that requires...
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Economics Concepts
Students relate economics and government policies. In this lesson, students explore the relationship between economics and government policies. They understand how the economy works and can make better decisions as it relates to the future.
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Public I or Private I
Young scholars explore the topic of national identity cards in the United States as a starting point in determining what types of information should be publicly accessible to the government and private industry about specific individuals.
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O Canada
Learners examine the history of Canadian settlement through an interactive program. They learn why some parts of the country where more heavily populated than others. They discover what life is like for a Canadian and their government...
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Protecting the Environment Through Civic Activism
Students discuss how to protect the environment through civic activism. They watch a video about someone who stood up to the government to protect the environment. They also identify something in their community that could be improved.
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The Bill of Rights And Japanese Internment
Learners review the Bill of Rights. They interpret how the American Government violated these rights with regard to Japanese Americans during World War II. They write down the violations of the Bill of Rights during Japanese ...
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Acting Legally
Students analyze potential challenges that immigrant women have in the workforce. In this history lesson, students identify specific problems immigrant women face, then brainstorm possible solutions in their group. The final assignment...
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Editorial Cartoon Lesson Plan
Students consider the role of editorial cartoons on American politics. In this editorial cartoons instructional activity, students discover the history of the cartoons in America, analyze some cartoons, and then draw their own cartoons...
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Liberty for Libya?
Students create a country profile on Libya in order to consider the viability of a transition to a democratic government.
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In His Own Words: James Madison On the Problem of Faction
Students are introduced to the writings of James Madison and explain why he is often called "The Father of the Constitution". Using primary source documents, they examine his view of the Bill of Rights and what he meant by faction. In...
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Building a Human Rights Document
Students identify the issue of basic human rights, examine the importance of the UDHR, and compare it to United States Bill of Rights. They create a definition of human rights as a class. Students are divided into groups of four and...
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The Civil Rights Movement
Students analyze the tensions that existed in American society during the Civil Rights Era as well as the problems that children experienced. They evaluate editorial cartoons dealing with the American Civil Rights movement to view the...
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Death and Taxes
Students explore the "death tax" and analyze statistical information about how the government taxes dead people. They research sources to determine the validity of a anti-tax group campaign and John McCain's claims about taxes. ...
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The Civil War as Photographed by Mathew Brady
Students gain historical background on the Civil War era from textbooks, encyclopedias, or supplemental material. Assign at least two photographs for each student to analyze using the Photograph Analysis Worksheet which is imbedded in...
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History of the American West
Ninth graders research early mining in California. They study the "placer method" for mining gold, which is surface mining that does not involve tunneling. They examine what it was like for the early miners to pan for gold with...
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Respect for Authority
Students examine the country of Mongolia and how it is trying to form a democracy. As a class, they participate in a class meeting about a new class rule and they voice their opinions. They read excerpts of a letter of a Peace Corps...
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Community Foundations and Procedure
Middle schoolers understand what a community foundation is and how it gets input from the community. In this community foundation lesson, students form an advisory board to give suggestions. Middle schoolers learn procedures to hold...
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Active Citizens 101
Students explore and investigate multiple aspects of citizenship and democracy in a sequence of lessons that involve thoughtful discussin and participation to assist in gaining a better perspective of what citizenship and domocracy is,...
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Turning the Century
Students examine the Gilded Age. In this Gilded Age activity, students create a museum of their own showing what life was like in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Students investigate immigration, settlement and how these...
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Grandpa's Mountain
Fifth graders read the book Grandpa's Mountain and discuss how land was taken away for "the good of the country". In this social studies lesson plan, 5th graders then create a newspaper, poster, poetry, interviews, surveys, or other...
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Trading Nations
Students analyze the impact of a global economy on the workers, business leaders and governments of China and the United States.
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A Famous Signature
Learners study important historical figures. In this United States history lesson, students trace the signature of John Hancock using cotton swabs, glitter, and various art supplies after discussing the historical significance of the...
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Abraham Lincoln and Reconstruction
Students study Presidential Reconstruction during the Civil War years. They examine the role of the Executive Branch of government, especially in wartime. They investigate the complex issues of how Congress took on the role of...