Constitutional Rights Foundation
Guest-Worker Program
The U.S. Guest-Worker Program and the H-2A visa are the focus of a social studies activity. First, class members assume the role of advisors who must present the president with four proposals that would amend the visas given to...
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Requiring HPV vaccine
Students research the HPV vaccine and discover what it is supposed to do. In gropus, they consult with doctors and local health officials to discover the possible side effects of the vaccine and presents their findings to the class. They...
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Parents and Alcohol: Who's To Blame
Young scholars use the internet to read research to find out what other communities are doing to solve the problem of underage drinking. They interview local experts and law enforcement. As a class, they debate the pros and cons of...
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Teen Drivers With Passengers
Students research the current driving laws. They investigate what has happened in states that do have tougher laws to restrict passengers with teen drivers. Students discuss the pros and cons of making a change in their state.
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Accident Pinpoints Dangerous Site
High schoolers read about local accident sites and conduct research of areas of high incidence. They interview police and insurance agents and explore what can be done if a site has multiple accidents. They write a news feature about the...
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Preparing for the Possibility of Terrorists
Young scholars research the terrorist threat to the United States. They examine types of possible attacks and the best way to be prepared for each. Students disseminate information to the community. They publicize the school disaster plan.
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Roe v. Wade: A History of Controversy
Students research what is legal now as far as abortions are concerned. Does it matter what state you live in? Does it matter how old you are? If you are a teen, does the doctor have to notify your parents? Students prepare a panel...
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Telemarketers Rights and Yours
Learners research the controversy of whether or not the National Do Not Call Registry is constitutional, and then hold a class debate. Students research the National Do Not Call Registry, the FTC, the FCC, and the most current status of...
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Citizens Hold Their Breath in Smoke-free Cities
Students investigate the laws covering smoking in public places in their community and find out if city council or other governing bodies have considered changing these laws. Students conduct interviews and write an article explaining...
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Decline and Fall of the Romanov Dynasty of Russia
Use this quiz and let your class show what they know. There are seventeen multiple choice questions related to the Russian Revolution and the fall of the Romanov Dynasty. Use to prep for a state exam or at the end of a unit.
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Federalism and the Prevention of Abuse of Power in the US Federal Government
Fourth graders stud Federalism and identify examples of abuse of power.
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South Carolina and Quebec - A Comparative Study
Students compare the structure and functions of the state government of South Carolina and the provincial government of Quebec. They examine the role of political parties and differing expressions of democracy and make a...
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Are We the People?
Students investigate their elected officials and their roles. For this governmental leadership lesson, students discuss the Constitution and research their elected officials. They also organize the information they find regarding the...
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Growing Voters and Election 2004: Get Out the Vote
Students examine the voting process, the reasons citizens should vote, and participate in a community drive to sign up new voters. After looking at websites, students create a poster that outlines the reasons to vote, participate in a...
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Dealing with Chemical Emergencies
Learners examine how all levels of government react to chemical emergencies. They identify activities which could lead to an emergency. They discuss how they respond to contaminants released into the air.
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Sleuthing a Writer's Skills
Students examine the author's lively text to determine how she achieved her many literary effects. They discover the author's techniques in describing people and events, in setting tone, and in establishing pace. They reflect about the...
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A Shuttle's Eye View
Students explore the goals of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission as a springboard to exploring the topographical features of their own state or region. They synthesize their understanding of landforms and topography by mapping their...
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I Live in Kansas!
Student research and apply information about communities in Kansas. In this Kansas instructional activity, 3rd graders study ten communities in the state, complete a booklet, and compare the communities to their own. They use the...
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Scavenger Hunt
Students participate in a scavenger hunt to gather information on their governmental officials. Using the internet, they identify and discuss the various political boundaries to determine who their representative is. They complete a...
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Salt Lake City Ordinances from the 1860s To Get Students Involved
Fourth graders examine a variety of 1860 ordinances from Salt Lake City. As a class, they listen to a local governmental official discuss the ordinances in effect today. In groups, they compare and contrast the ordinances from the two...
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Montana Tribes And Leaders
Third graders investigate the different indian tribes in the state of Montana. They conduct research to answer essential questions. The focus of the information gathering is concerning tribal government. Students create a graphic...
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Interconnections Between Private and Civic Life -- Focus on the County
Middle schoolers discuss the connections between their lives and the government. In groups, they examine the roles that governments have in different societies throughout the world. They role-play the roles of County members in...
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Presidents of the United States
Young scholars discuss American Presidents. They each complete research on one particular President and then, using a template, create a short biography (including a picture) about him. When all biographies are complete, they compile...
Caucus 101
Caucus History and Iowa’s “First in the Nation” Status
What is a caucus? Why is Iowa's first? Why did Iowa shift to the caucus format? After researching these basic questions, class members debate the question of whether or not Iowa should maintain its "first in the nation" status for caucuses.