In this three-day simulation lesson, students explain the steps taken from party formation to national election. Harnessing skills gained from the Electoral Process lesson, students will act out the campaigning and voting process by simulating a real election in their own classroom.
Explore the evolution of voting rights in the Unites States through an interactive PowerPoint presentation highlighting landmark changes. Following the presentation and class discussion, students apply the new knowledge of voting legislation to individual scenarios through a class activity.
voting; 15th Amendment; 19th Amendment; 23rd Amendment; 26th Amendment; Voting Rights Act; Poll Tax; Poll Tests; Grandfather Clause; suffrage; voting age; Susan B. Anthony; Elizabeth Cady Stanton; literacy test; civil rights
In this lesson, students evaluate hypothetical candidates by establishing and applying their own criteria for selecting public officials. Through a variety of activities, students assess candidates based on their qualifications, experience, campaign speeches and campaign materials. Students track campaign promises, explore voting records and evaluate the legitimacy of information resources. The role of the media, fundraising and opinion polls in the electoral process is also discussed.
Students will learn about the essential characteristics of state government including the duties and functions associated with the legislative, executive and judicial branches. This lesson will reveal the impact that agencies amd commissions have on students' lives and illustrate the law-making process at the state level.
State government; governor; state legislature; state senate; state house of representatives; state courts; passing bills; committees
In this lesson, students will compare the executive, legislative and judicial branches at all levels of government. Students will learn why powers and obligations are distributed between the levels of government.
Students grasp the nuances of diplomacy through this interactive lesson. They are called to decide which diplomacy tools work best in different situations. Students will develop an understanding of negotiation, sanctions, and other elements used in diplomatic relationships.
foreign policy; isolationism; internationalism; national interest; diplomatic strategy; aid; sanctions; military force; mediation; negotiations; treaty
Countries often work together to solve problems and fall into conflict when problems cannot be resolved. After learning about motivations and conditions that lead to action (or inaction), students analyze examples of international conflict and cooperation.
conflict; cooperation; conditions; motivations; actions; international cooperation; international conflict
Economic, cultural, and military influence are all critical in developing spheres of influence. Students explore international authority by following a Cold War case study, which will encourage better understanding of international persuasion.
sphere of influence; containment; capitalism; communism; propaganda; Truman Doctrine; Cold War; hot war; NATO; Warsaw Pact; Marshall Plan
Students compare the basic structure of several different international organizations before categorizing their work. Students also examine the local and global impact of international organizations.
international organizations; nongovernmental organizations; NGO; intergovernmental organization; World Health Organization; Red Cross/Red Crescent; World Bank; NATO; European Union; United Nations; UNICEF
Directions for Democracy has been updated and replaced by Anatomy of the Constitution. This lesson introduces the Constitution of the United States. Students will interpret the intentions of the Preamble, explain the organization of the U.S. government, and identify the rights protected in the Bill of Rights.
constitution; Preamble; Bill of Rights; articles; amendments; ratify; compromise; Anti-federalist; Federalist; individual freedoms
