Curated OER
Eminent Domain: Whose Land is it Anyway?
Students research eminent domain and whether or not there has been a land dispute in their community. Students search local newspapers, local history books or talk with civic leaders and long-time citizens and create a chart showing the...
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Social Studies: A Quiet Protest
Students examine the protest by Gallaudet University students concerning the hiring of a new school president. They investigate laws related to protests and present their findings to the class in a multimedia show, oral report, or debate.
Curated OER
Due Process: Is It Always Due?
Students explore the basic Constitutional protections of due process and then consider the balance of these basic protections with issues of national security. A variety of segments of U.S. Supreme Court cases are examined in this lesson.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Going SmokeFree Matters: Casinos
Everyone has the right to a smokefree workplace, but those who work in casinos are exposed to so much secondhand smoke that they can suffer the same ailments as heavy smokers themselves. Learn more about the effects of secondhand smoke,...
Federal Reserve Bank
Your Credit Report
What is your credit score? How do you find it? Help your pupils answer these questions and more. They will access their free credit report and then analyze its meaning.
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Alzheimer's: A Societal Crisis
Students discuss ways in which diseases affect individuals, families, and society, and view and answer questions about segments from The Forgetting related to the impact of Alzheimer's disease on society and families. They brainstorm...
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Positive Futures Fair
Students, in groups, research an issue they feel is significant in today's world. They present and justify specific actions for the audience to take that would help to better the issue of public concern.
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Michigan Supreme Court
Students read articles on a hot topic (controverial topic) and prepare for a discussion on the article. They engage in forming an opinion on an important public concern and defending their opinion/position with supporting data. They...
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Harvesting the River Lesson: Commercial vs. Sport Hunting of Waterfowl: How Did One Lead to the Other?
Students investigate the environmental impact of market hunting leading to new laws and sport hunting. They conduct Internet research, and summarize their opinions on the need for and formation of public policy on waterfowl hunting.
Curated OER
A Look At Spending
Learners use an outdated budget to examine what the county spends its money on for its citizens. Using county information, they describe how the Board of Supervisors make budget decisions and how it can shape public policy. They also...
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The Fairfax County Budget -- A Look At Spending
Students brainstorm a list of items that should be a priority for the government to help its citizens. Using an out of date budget, they identify individual line items and the conflicts involved in making a budget work. They discuss...
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E-mailing the Chamber of Commerce
Encourage effective internet research and e-mail correspondence as scholars investigate a US capital city they've never visited to find pertinent and relevant information. They begin by picking a city, then visit that city's chamber of...
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Friday Forum
Middle schoolers research a variety of controversial articles to gain knowledge. They form an opinion and defend their position with supporting data. They evaluate opposing arguments and present their viewpoint both verbally and in the...
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Protecting Our Space
Learners share opinions and information about safety issues and concerns on social networking Web sites, and develop public service announcements designed to inform their peers and parents/guardians.
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Opposing Views on the Vietnam War
Students consider opinions regarding the Vietnam War. In this Vietnam lesson, students compare Nixon and Johnson's policies about the war. Students also research the anti-war movements as well as the sentiments of the those how supported...
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Economics Concepts
Students relate economics and government policies. For 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...
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The Freedmen's Bureau: Success or Failure?
Students analyze causation concerning Reconstruction policy. They evaluate the success of the Freed men's Bureau concerning land distribution. They examine several documents relating to the Freedmen's Bureau's goal of providing land for...
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The Panic of 1837 And the Presidency of Martin Van Buren
Students analyze period political cartoons as they study the causes of the Panic of 1837. They use primary sources to evaluate President VanBuren's response to the panic and public opinion of the results of his policies. Then they...
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Education Reform
Students identify problems and potential improvements for U.S. public school education. They research and debate the pros and cons of the "No Child Left Behind Act".
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A Feast for the Future
Students participate in an activity that uses a simulated meal of transgenic foods in order to initiate a discussion of the controversy concerning the use of transgenic food products.
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Affirmative Action
Students 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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What are the Economic Functions of Government?
Twelfth graders identify the six economic functions of government and the classify examples of government actions and policies within various economic functions. They identify and evaluate two different positions on the role of...
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Political Movements: Political parties
Students list current federal parliamentary parties, consider the role of political parties, practice party based representation, state the relationship between parties, elections and Australian policy, and define specific parliamentary...
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What do we know about Iraq?
Students develop viewpoints on world issues and concerns. Students review facts on historical time periods. Students compare past happenings to present situations in history. Students differentiate between various forms of ethnic...