Debating the U.S Response to Syria:
Students explore, debate, and evaluate multiple perspectives on U.S. policy towards Syria through a role-play activity
www.choices.edu/teaching-news-lesson/debating-u-s-response-syria/
www.choices.edu/teaching-news-lesson/debating-u-s-response-syria/
The Struggle to Define Free Speech:
Students consider how different societies define freedom of expression, analyze historical sources that reveal contrasting views on freedom of expression in the case of Skokie, Illinois, where a Nazi group attempted to demonstrate in the 1970s, and explore the current free speech controversy in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attacks.
www.choices.edu/teaching-news-lesson/struggle-define-free-speech-skokie-paris/
www.choices.edu/teaching-news-lesson/struggle-define-free-speech-skokie-paris/
HOBBES, LOCKE, MONTESQUIEU, ROUSSEAU ON GOVERNMENT
Designed to give students an idea of the 4 philosophers and is also an opportunity for them to reflect on Humanity's needs for order and efforts to create stability within the community. Introduction focuses on the nature of government.
crf-usa.org/images/pdf/gates/HobbesLockeMontesquieuRousseau.pdf
crf-usa.org/images/pdf/gates/HobbesLockeMontesquieuRousseau.pdf
On the Campaign Trail: Decoding an Editorial Cartoon
Students analyze editorial cartoons from history and today to explore the role of illustrated commentary in politics and society over time.
newseumed.org/activity/on-the-campaign-trail-decoding-an-editorial-cartoon-mlbp/
newseumed.org/activity/on-the-campaign-trail-decoding-an-editorial-cartoon-mlbp/
The Bill of Rights: Debating the Amendments
In this lesson, students will examine a copy of twelve possible amendments to the United States Constitution as originally sent to the states for their ratification in September of 1789. Students will debate and vote on which of these amendments they would ratify and compare their resulting “Bill of Rights” to the ten amendments ratified by ten states that have since been known by this name.
loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/lessons/bill-of-rights/
loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/lessons/bill-of-rights/
The Declaration of Independence: Created Equal?
This lesson focuses on a few key concepts of the Declaration of Independence, beginning with the phrase "All men are created equal." Students gain an appreciation of Thomas Jefferson's efforts to deal with the complex issues of equality and slavery in the Declaration of Independence.
loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/lessons/equal/
loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/lessons/equal/
How Does Government Secure Natural Rights?
This lesson introduces you to some basic ideas the Framers used in creating the kind of government they thought would best protect the natural rights of each individual and promote the good of all.
When you finish this lesson you should understand the difference between limited and unlimited government, the difference between written and unwritten constitutions, and how Americans have used the term constitutional government. You should be able to explain why a government with a constitution is not necessarily a constitutional government, and be able to identify alternative models of government that the Founders had to choose from.
www.civiced.org/resources/curriculum/lesson-plans/1780
When you finish this lesson you should understand the difference between limited and unlimited government, the difference between written and unwritten constitutions, and how Americans have used the term constitutional government. You should be able to explain why a government with a constitution is not necessarily a constitutional government, and be able to identify alternative models of government that the Founders had to choose from.
www.civiced.org/resources/curriculum/lesson-plans/1780
Teaching the Constitution to Twenty-first Century Students
This lesson plan involves students directly in the Bill of Rights challenging their thinking skills while increasing their knowledge of the founding principles of government and the judiciary.
www.socialstudies.org/publications/socialeducation/november-december2008/teaching-the-constitution-to-twentyfirst-century-students
www.socialstudies.org/publications/socialeducation/november-december2008/teaching-the-constitution-to-twentyfirst-century-students
Civics: Patriotism & Foreign Policy
What should the U.S. relationship with the rest of the world be? And what artifacts should be selected for a Museum of Patriotism and Foreign Policy?
www.learner.org/workshops/civics/workshop5/lessonplan/
www.learner.org/workshops/civics/workshop5/lessonplan/
Uncle Sam: American Symbol, American Icon
The United States has many symbols including the bald eagle, the Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Bell. However there is one that has been featured in a recruiting poster, served as a symbol of patriotism and is a personification of the government of the United States of America.
blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2014/07/uncle-sam-american-symbol-american-icon/
blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2014/07/uncle-sam-american-symbol-american-icon/
And the Solution is….
As legislators, students will work to solve problems (Ex. School calendar, ATVs, hot lunch requirements, driver’s license requirements) through writing their own legislation, while experiencing the entire legislative process.
wveis.k12.wv.us/teach21/public/project/Guide.cfm?upid=3373&tsele1=4&tsele2=108
wveis.k12.wv.us/teach21/public/project/Guide.cfm?upid=3373&tsele1=4&tsele2=108
Banned in America
Students were asked to assess the role of censorship in American society through a study of banned books in America. Students engaged in reading a banned book, writing a persuasive essay, and participated in a mock trial around issues of censorship.
www.envisionprojects.org/pub/env_p/78.html
www.envisionprojects.org/pub/env_p/78.html
Democracy, is it for everybody?
Students will gather, analyze, interpret, and synthesize historical information regarding how past civilizations have contributed to the advancement of democracy in today’s world as well as use that information to make appropriate decisions regarding the advancement of democracy in countries where democracy is not a way of life.
wveis.k12.wv.us/teach21/public/project/Guide.cfm?upid=3363&tsele1=1&tsele2=106
wveis.k12.wv.us/teach21/public/project/Guide.cfm?upid=3363&tsele1=1&tsele2=106