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Activity
Teaching Tolerance

My Voice, My Voter's Guide

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Class members may be too young to vote, but that doesn't mean their voices are silent! After researching key information, such as policies for registering to what to expect at the polls, young scholars create and present election guides...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Secret War: Lesson 15

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discuss civic responsibility. In this social studies lesson, student read about World War II. Students compose "I Am an American" poems and share with the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Multimedia to Teach Core Democratic Values

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students produce multimedia presentation to fellow class members on one of the Core Democratic Values, such as patriotism or civilian control of military, that is part of State of Michigan Social Studies Framework.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Designing a Flag

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders design a flag. In this social studies lesson, 4th graders discuss the basic principles of flags. Students research flags and flag designs. Students work in teams to design a flag using the computer.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Disasters

For Students 6th - 8th
In this social studies activity, students find the words that are used to describe different types of disasters. The answers are found at the bottom of the page.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Native American Tribes

For Students 6th - 8th
In this social studies worksheet, students find the words that are used to focus upon the Native American tribes and the answers are found at the bottom of the page.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Bias

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers participate in an interactive writing and discussion activity, on the study of bias, as it is used in political debate and decision making. They evaluate the presentation of material and its importance in making informed...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social Studies: Campaign Finance Reform

For Teachers All
Students develop arguments for and against campaign finance reform, examine federal and state laws that attempt to limit contributions to political candidates, evaluate various plans for campaign finance reform and formulate their own...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Three Branches of Government (Legislative, Executive, Judicial)

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders compare the three branches of government to a three-legged chair. For this government lesson, 5th graders discuss the Founding Fathers, the Constitution, and checks and balances. Students study what each branch of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

CIVICS AND HISTORY LESSON

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students conduct research using recommended websites and other appropriate resources. Based on their findings, groups prepare recommendations for future elections to ensure efficiency and fairness. students must refer to the 2000 election.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

CIVICS/CURRENT EVENTS

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students choose to either make an exhibit of posters of pictures about Darfur, or write a letter to the local newspaper regarding Darfur, or plan a concert, party, or bake sale to raise money for refugees. They write a poem defining...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Willing to Participate: Political Engagement of Young Adults

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students consider what it means to be politically involved. In this civics lesson, students discuss voting as a privilege or right. Students also discuss how they may be able to effect social change through political involvement.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recreating Marriage: The Same-Sex Union Debate

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A debate continues regarding same-sex marriage as a constitutional right. This lesson requires learners to define marriage then formulate an argument that reconstructs the national debate perspectives. Many standards are addressed but a...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Matching Events and People

For Students 5th - 12th
In this social studies events worksheet, students match important events in history with people that were involved at the time. Students complete 13 matches.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Picture This: Election Results Graphs

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Students use art supplies or a free online tool to graph election results. Students follow local election and results. Using "Create a Graph, a free online graphing tool, they make a graph of the results.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil Liberties and War Powers: Korematsu v. United States

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders compare and contrast Supreme Court decisions dealing with the application of civil rights during times of war, with emphasis on discrimination and detention. Working in groups, 11th graders review cases and analyze how...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stories of Freedom and Justice: Learning Resources

For Teachers Pre-K - 12th
Students are introduce to the topic of nonviolence and civil rights by watching a video. In this stories of freedom lesson, students examine the Supreme Court's role in interpreting the U.S. Constitution. Students analyze how conflict...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Baker v. Carr

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Can the federal government override the state government to protect the citizens of the United States? The 1962 Supreme Court case Baker v. Carr outlines the issue of equal protection under the law. Scholars investigate with a short...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Your State's Role in the Vietnam War

For Teachers K - 12th
Students recognize reasons to celebrate Memorial Day. Students create a map of victims of the VIetnam War. Using the internet, students research information about soldiers from their state who were killd in action in Vietnam. Students...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Plessy v. Ferguson

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Where did separate but equal originate and what does it mean? Scholars investigate the Supreme Court Case Plessy v. Ferguson. Using a short video clip, they analyze the impact the decision of legal segregation had on society in 1896....
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Schenck v. US

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Freedom of speech is absolute—or is it? The Supreme Court case Schenck v. United States has learners research what free speech really looks like. A short video along with paired work creates open discussion and thought on what speech is...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Hernandez v. Texas

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What if the jury is not made up of people from your ethnicity or background—are they still considered your peers? Scholars analyze the impact the Supreme Court case Hernandez v. Texas had on jury selection across the nation. Paired...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Engel v. Vitale

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Can you bow your head and pray in school? Scholars investigate the issue of school prayer with the Supreme Court case Engel v. Vitale. A short video clip along with paired group work helps viewers form opinions on the matter. They answer...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Miranda v. Arizona

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
You have the right to remain silent—but why? Scholars analyze the nature of what has become known as the Miranda Rights. A short video along with paired group work and discussion opens the issue of the rights of the accused upon arrest....