Examine the seven forms of propaganda found in advertising and politics. Discover the persuasive methods behind the messaging we see every day and gain skills to effectively identify and counter them. A classroom gallery walk challenges students to detect the propaganda techniques at work and evaluate their effectiveness.
propaganda, the media, persuasion techniques, name calling, bandwagon, glittering generalities, transfer, plain folks, testimonial, card stacking, bias, symbolism
In A Very Big Branch, students explore the roles and responsibilities of the presidential cabinet. This lesson describes how the executive departments and agencies regulate and enforce governmental policies through readings and whole class activities.
In this lesson, students discover the roles and responsibilities of a governor. Through a reading and board game, the class will identify the source of a governor's power, as well as how that power is best used in a variety of situations.
state government; executive branch; governor; state constitution; executive order; state of emergency; task force; special session; clemency
Students learn about the landmark case McCulloch v. Maryland, in which the Supreme Court clarified what kinds of actions Congress can take under the “necessary and proper” clause. Students find out what events led to this case, look at some examples of what “necessary and proper” could include, and examine the relationship between state and federal power under the Supremacy Clause.
supremacy clause; necessary and proper; bank; Maryland; state; federal; commerce; John Marshall; McCulloch
Covering everything from rederendums to recalls, this lesson takes students to the voting booth and explains what they might see on a typical ballot. Students will discover how voters have the opportunity to initiate change in state and local government.
This lesson teaches the basics of taxes: what they are, who pays them, what kinds exist, and what they’re used for. Students learn how people’s income is taxed, how much revenue taxes generate, and how taxes and government services are related. Activities based on real life show students how to analyze a pay stub and how to calculate sales tax.
Taxes; government services; sales tax; excise tax; income tax; corporate income tax; progressive tax; social security; medicare; property tax; estate tax; tariffs
Students learn about the landmark case McCulloch v. Maryland, in which the Supreme Court clarified what kinds of actions Congress can take under the “necessary and proper” clause. Students find out what events led to this case, look at some examples of what “necessary and proper” could include, and examine the relationship between state and federal power under the Supremacy Clause.
federal; national government; state power; McCulloch; Maryland; Necessary and Proper; Supremacy Clause; bank; regulation; supreme court; commerce; John Marshall
Students will learn how the executive branch functions at the state level. They will explore how governors use executive power to keep law and order through agencies and departments. This lesson includes a board game where the player addresses requests and crises as a governor.
state government; governor; powers; authority; state executive branch; order and safety; role of state government
Use this document as a Step-by-Step for all of the mini-lessons found in the Influence Library. It provides overall learning objectives, how to use the mini-lessons in your classroom, and a list of the mini-lessons available.
Foundations of Government, Influential people, events, eras
