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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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It's All About Justice
Students examine a specific environmental concern to their local community. In groups, they explore how the justice system would deal with the problem by participating in a treasure hunt. They review the meaning of federal and state...
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Checks on Presidential Power
Students examine presidential powers. In this checks and balances lesson, students identify the constitutional and informal restraints of the president and consider the reasons for the limitations.
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The Illustrated Bill of Rights
Pupils shoot Bill of Rights videos. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students film digital segment that illustrate the meaning of the first 10 amendments. Pupils integrate the video clips into PowerPoint presentations.
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You and the Judicial System
High schoolers explore how the structure of the state and federal judicial systems affect them. They select an appropriate media and create a presentation on the structure of the judicial system, the criminal judicial system and a guide...
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The Many Powers of the President
Young scholars become familiar with the many roles of the president. They are given various scenarios. They must decide which of his "hats" he must wear given the specifics of each situation.
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The Supreme Court
Students examine the Fourteenth Amendment. In this Supreme Court lesson, students define due process and equal protection as they analyze the impact of the amendment and the Supreme Court on workers' rights in the early 20th century....
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The Inauguration of Barack Obama the 44th President of the United States
Eleventh graders explore the process of inauguration in the United States. Students describe the symbolic and political significance of the ceremony of the inauguration of the President of the United States. Students role play the...
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How Did That Get There?
Students evaluate the role of government in addressing land use and other environmental issues. They analyze the powers, responsibilities, and limitations of elected and appointed officials in the national legislative, executive, and...
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Elections for Elementary Students
Students explore various websites that explain how primaries, caucuses, and general elections function. They view sample ballots, and analyze the executive branch, U.S. presidents, and citizenship.
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A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION: A SIMULATION
Pupils discuss two computerized options to change the current U.S. government. In this Constitutional Convention lesson plan, students write a statement advocating for one of the choices and participate in a mock modern Constitutional...
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Potus and PowerPoint
Fifth graders research a president of the United States and create a PowerPoint presentation. They demonstrate their knowledge of the executive branch of our government and use the Internet to conduct their research for their PowerPoint...
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The Panama Canal Treaties: How Treaties Are Ratified
Students gain an understanding of how the executive and legislative branches, influenced by popular opinion, work toward the ratification of a treaty. They examine the influences and impact of lobbying and special interests in the...
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Heroes, Elders, Historic Figures, Contemporary Tribal Leaders
Fifth graders research famous Elders. They receive a list of Elders, Historic Figures and Contemporary Tribal Leaders (included with the lesson). They discuss the Essential Question to guide their research. Students take notes based on...
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Statehouse Time Capsule
Fourth graders create a time capsule that is representative of their community. They explain why the chosen objects are representative of themselves or their community.
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The President's Roles and Responsibilities: Communicating with the President
Students examine the roles and responsibilities of the U.S. president and their own roles as citizens of a democracy. They explore various websites, listen to a State of the Union address, and write a letter to the President of the...
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The Embodied Presidency
Tenth graders compare and contrast the immigration reform policies of Presidents Reagan and Bush. In this immigration lesson, 10th graders examine primary documents related to each president's policy for immigration reform. Students...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Ratifying the Constitution
Ratifying the Constitution was no simple task. Using primary sources, such as classic writings from the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, young scholars examine the arguments for and against the Constitution. They then decide: Would they...
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Michigan Judicial System Conclusion
Students identify the courts that make up Michigan's judicial system. They state the responsibilities of each court and diagram a flow chart of how a case moves to the Michigan Supreme Court. They participate in a quiz about the current...
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Michigan Court System (Part 1) (Middle School)
Students identify the courts that make up the Michigan judicial system. They explore the responsibility of each court and diagram how cases move to the Supreme Court. They compare and contrast the different types of courts.
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The life of a legislative bill
Middle schoolers investigate bills under consideration by the United States Congress and create a flow chart that tracks the movement of the bills to gain understanding of the legislative process.
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You and the U.S. Constitution
Fourth graders explore the U.S. Constitution and how is protects the rights and freedoms of American citizens. They run through various circumstances and decide whether a person's rights have been violated.
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Federal Court Systems and Court Cases
Ninth graders investigate the basis for the Common Law Tradition. They examine the organization of the Federal Court System and students identify the various sources of the American Law.