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American Justice: The Texas Cheerleader Plot
Students watch a video about one woman who planned to commit murder because of a cheerleading scandal.
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We the People
Learners show how the meaning of the Preamble is reflected in current American culture. They collect images and/or sounds from media sources that represent, symbolize, or explain each phrase in the Preamble and create a media...
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Shizuko’s Daughter: Unsent Letter
Have you ever wanted to tell a character what you really thought of him or her? Use a lesson based on Kyoko Mori's Shizuko's Daughter to encourage learners to write a letter in response to a character's actions.
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"Whispering Wires": Public Law vs. Individual Civil Liberties
High school student love discussing controversial issues like those brought up in this fourth amendment case study. They examine the 1928 Olmstead vs. U.S. prohibition court case, applying the fourth amendment to determine whether or not...
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What is Public Use?
Explore the Fifth Amendment by examining the meaning of "public use" as learners read a scenario and role play their assigned parts to determine "public use." They also read Supreme Court Cases regarding the amendment and present their...
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Lesson III: Crisis, Pearl Harbor, Internment
The third in a series of lessons introduced by “A Fence Away From Freedom,” uses the Smithsonian website, “A More Perfect Union: Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution” and focuses on the section of the presentation devoted to the...
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Affirmative Action
Learners explore policies concerning affirmative action. After reading affirmative action handouts, students use the internet and other resources to research information about affirmative action laws, court cases, and arguments. They...
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People Who Made a Difference
Middle schoolers practice using new vocabulary related to equality, social justice and civil rights. They describe how one person can contribute to the common good. They research a person of their choice and share how they have made a...
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Responding: "Guerrilla" Art
Eighth graders examine a new kind of art that is used to respond to political and social issues. Using primary source documents, they read examples of how others have responded to various issues in the past. Individually, they create...
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The Rule of Law
Young scholars examine the rule of law and government in this civics instructional activity. They discover the origins and how it impacts them on a daily basis. They also analyze its role in the judicial system.
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Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program
Here’s the overview for a series of lessons about the Japanese American internment introduced by the resource entitled “A Fence Away From Freedom.” Included are the link to the Smithsonian website on which the lessons are based, a list...
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Supreme Court: Practice with Precedents 2010
Eleventh graders examine the term precedent in the court system. In this American Government lesson, 11th graders research various court cases in history. Students create a study chart that shows comparisons of these cases.
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Documents of Diversity
Eighth graders explore the cultural diversity in their own families. They examine the cultural profile and historical development of their own community through developing a walking tour, in booklet or web-based form.
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Changing Perspectives on the Japanese Internment Experience
Students explore the issue of Japanese-American internment. In this World War II instructional activity, students analyze historical biases regarding Japanese-American internment as they analyze literature, research print and Internet...
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Martin Luther King Jr. Who Is He?
Young scholars describe MLk's leadership of the desegregation movement. Students discuss the meaning of non-violent revolution. Young scholars identify the difference between their lives and those ofcitizens in 1963. Students write a...
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Causes of School Violence
Students examine school violence. In this school violence lesson, students listen to a teacher-led lecture regarding statistics and studies about school violence. Students discuss bullying and school violence.
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Images, Empathy, and the Humanitarian Impulse
High schoolers study humanitarian intervention and its role in society. For this politics lesson students view a video on Darfur and discuss what they learned.
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Who Is Norman Jewison?
Learners research the life of Norman Jewison and create a poster to present their findings to the class.
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Citizenship Worksheet 3 - How the Government Works
In this government and citizenship worksheet, students learn the duties and responsibilities of the three branches of government and the system of checks and balances.
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Sing a Tale
This activity allows students to explore the elements of traditional folktales in folk music.
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DNA-a Molecular Identity
Pupils explore about what DNA is and several different DNA typing techniques. They examine three different situations where DNA typing was used to carry out justice. Students also identify and evaluate different uses of DNA typing...
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The Role of Protest Songs
tudents will illustrate the role, significance, and history of protest songs from the African American Civil Rights Movement. They will verbally answer the question: "What is the link between the Civil Rights Movement and Hip Hop music...
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Civil liberties: Fundamental freedoms
Learners explore civil liberties. They list and describe the fundamental freedoms guaranteed to Canadians. Students illustrate how Charter rights are applies. They examine current issues and suggest how the courts might apply Charter...
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Constitutional Issues: Separation of Powers
Young scholars discribe the principle and the history of separation of powers.