Do your students know about the U.S. census? Are they prepared to be counted? In this lesson, students learn the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the census. Students explore the importance of being informed and how the census impacts their communities. LESSON OBJECTIVES: Describe the census and its purpose *Identify how often the census occurs *Explain how communities are impacted by and benefit from census data *Share how to complete the census

This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that interpreted the Commerce and Supremacy Clauses of the U.S. Constitution and affirmed the federal government's superiority with regard to its enumerated powers. Students learn about the dispute between Gibbons and Ogden, the meaning of the Commerce and Supremacy clauses, and who wins when state and federal powers collide. LESSON OBJECTIVES: Describe the Commerce Clause and the Supremacy Clause, and their effect *Identify the main arguments put forth in the case. *Describe the Supreme Court's decision and analysis. *Identify the impact of the Court's decision. *Determine whether arguments from the case support Gibbons or Ogden

This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that gave defendants in state criminal courts the right to a lawyer. Students learn about the 6th Amendment right to a lawyer, why the right is important, and how the right led to the existence of public defenders. Students then identify other cases in which the Supreme Court extended important rights of the accused to the state level. LESSON OBJECTIVES: Describe the 6th Amendment right to a lawyer *Identify the main arguments put forth in the case. *Describe the Supreme Court's decision and analysis. *Identify the impact of the Court's decision. *Define "public defenders" and describe their purpose

In this global citizenship lesson plan, students play international detective as they read accounts of international pollution issues. Students also complete an activity tracing ocean currents and discussing the paths of pollution. These activities prepare students to identify the mindset of a global citizen and to define global citizenship. This lesson reinforces concepts from "Citizen Me" and can be followed by "Students Engage!" but can also be taught independently. Note: This lesson contains an optional PowerPoint presentation (see Lesson Prep). LESSON OBJECTIVES: Analyze how a country's decisions about its resources can affect neighboring countries. *Identify ways that citizens can "think globally" and be "global citizens". *Interpret a map of global ocean currents.

Covering everything from referendums to recalls, this lesson takes students to the voting booth and explains what is on a ballot. Middle and high school students will use this activity to discover how voters have the opportunity to initiate change in state and local government.
Does your state let kids under age 18 preregister to vote so they'll be all set when the time comes? Click here to find out about preregistration, which states allow it, and what the age limits are.

Love this lesson? Explore all of our free election curriculum and teaching resources at our Election Headquarters. LESSON OBJECTIVES: Describe the typical process of registering to vote and what happens at the polling place *Identify the types of choices voters typically encounter on ballots *Explain the purpose and process of a typical recall election *Compare and contrast the initiative and referendum processes *Explain how initiatives, referendums, and recalls provide opportunities to initiate change in government policy *Distinguish between different types of ballots.

You bet we do! What economic, political, and social factors led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence and American Revolution? How are emerging ideals of government taking shape in the colonies? In this lesson, students learn what caused the colonies to declare independence from Great Britain and analyze how ideas behind the split are reflected in the Declaration of Independence. LESSON OBJECTIVES: Identify key causes resulting in the Declarationof Independence and the Revolutionary War *Describe the colonies' grievances with Britain *Explain the effects of British economic and political policies on the colonies *Explain social factors that influenced the writing of the Declaration of Independence *Analyze ideals found in the Declaration of Independence

This lesson tackles a variety of topics related to government spending, including the federal budget, mandatory versus discretionary spending, and government debt. Students learn the difference between a surplus and deficit, the basics of federal budgeting, and the method the government uses to borrow money. They consider the complexities of deciding where the government's money should go and compare those decisions to choices about personal budgeting. Finally, they work with actual federal spending figures from 2011 to see where the government's money really goes. LESSON OBJECTIVES: Describe what a budget is. *Compare the national budgeting process to the personal budgeting process. *Explain the difference between a surplus and a deficit. *Explain why and how the government borrows money. *Analyze federal spending data. *Make cuts to a fictional personal budget. *Identify reasons for people's differing views about government spending.

This lesson uses the topic of cell phone service to illustrate how government and the economy are related. Students learn the difference between market, command, and mixed economies. Building on the idea of a mixed economy, the lesson discusses government limits on economic activity, including anti-trust laws, tariffs, and consumer protection. Having studied cell phone service as an example, students apply what they've learned by showing how the principles of a mixed economy work in the food production industry. LESSON OBJECTIVES: Compare the government's role in free market, command, and mixed economies. *Analyze the role of consumers, private producers, and the government in the U.S. mixed economy. *Explain the effects of government policies on the free market. *Describe how government policies allow either free or restricted trade. *Identify U.S. laws and regulations adopted to promote economic competition. *Identify U.S. laws protecting consumer rights and avenues of recourse.

This is a full unit of study from iCivics, featuring multiple lesson plans with presentations, downloadable documents, and more. In this unit, students learn about the relationship between the government and the economy. Starting with the basics of the market economy, students learn about government regulations on our market economy, where the government gets its money and what the government spends it on, and how banks and lending influence our economic system. Each lesson is a basic overview of a very broad topic and includes activities designed to show students how these topics impact their own lives.

What do state governments do? In this overview lesson, students learn about state government structure, functions, lawmaking, and relationship with local government.
Updated 11/19/14. If you used this lesson before that date, please take a look at the new version.
LESSON OBJECTIVES: Describe the essential characteristics of state government. *Identify the purpose of a state's constitution. *Explain the impact of state agencies on citizens' lives and property. *Identify the role of initiatives and referenda in the state lawmaking process. *Describe the role of state governments in providing services and regulating activity.

In this unit, students learn how the United States began to grow as soon as it became a nation, and they examine the effect of this growth on societies already established in North America. Register for a free account to download teacher resources.

This is a full unit of study from iCivics, featuring multiple lesson plans with presentations, downloadable documents, and more. Being the new kid on the block wasn't enough for the United States. Early Americans wanted their nation to be bigger, too. (And probably badder.) They succeeded--but at a cost. In this unit, students learn how the United States began to grow as soon as it became a nation, and they examine the effect of this growth on societies already established in North America.

This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that established a school principal's right to censor student articles in the school newspaper. Students learn about the limits on student free speech in a school environment. Then they examine the issue of censorship and the reasons for imposing it. LESSON OBJECTIVES: Describe the rights protected by the First Amendment. *Identify the main arguments put forth in the case. *Define censorship and identify examples of it. *Describe the rationale behind the Supreme Court's decision. *Identify the impact of the Supreme Court's decision on the issue of student expression at school and individuals' rights.

Students learn how the American colonists grew used to governing themselves and became increasingly unhappy with British policies toward the colonies. Students follow the development of those policies to see why the colonists ultimately declared independence from Britain in order to establish their own government. Finally, students analyze the Declaration of Independence to see how it addressed the colonists' concerns. As an extension, students look at primary sources to see how the colonists' reaction to the Stamp Act was being reported in London. This lesson feeds into the lesson "Wanted: A ‘Just Right' Government," but may be taught independently. LESSON OBJECTIVES: Describe how British policies and responses to colonial concerns led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence. *Analyze the ideas (natural rights, role of the government) and complaints set forth in the Declaration of Independence. *Analyze the impact of the Stamp Act, Declaratory Act, Townshend Revenue Act, Quartering Act, and Intolerable Acts. *Outline the Declaration of Independence and its parts. *Evaluate the colonists' reaction to the Stamp Act using primary sources.

Learn about the history of the Ohio Constitution with this before and after lesson that looks at the original 1802 state constitution and the major changes made in the 1851 version. Students will explore the two documents and identify the differences and explain why some elements underwent significant change. They will also learn about the 1912 amendment process that continued the updating of the document. LESSON OBJECTIVES: Identify the problems that followed from the 1802 Ohio Constitution *Explain how the 1851 Constitution addressed these problems *Analyze maps to explain why the traveling Supreme Court requirement became impractical *Describe the changes in how officials were selected between 1802 and 1851

Do your students know how people become citizens of the United States? In Immigration Nation, they'll help guide newcomers along their path to citizenship. Opportunities to customize the gameplay experience include: Classic or Puzzle Mode; English language or Spanish language; Option to hear or mute English voiceover, music, and/or sound effects; Player support through the new Decision Compass. Immigration Nation and its Extension Pack are correlated according to WIDA's methodology using the WIDA PRIME V2 Inventory. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Identify eligibility requirements for legal U.S. residence Use citizenship criteria to distinguish those who are already citizens from those who are not Describe time requirements for legal residents to become eligible to apply for citizenship

Make your students' gameplay more meaningful by using our immigration lesson plan designed specifically for Immigration Nation. This easy-to-use Extension Pack helps you give context and purpose to the game, as well as reinforce and assess the game concepts. That means deeper learning for students and best practices around game-centered learning for you. This Extension Pack includes English language learner (ELL) supports. We've included tips and practice that help make differentiated instruction a breeze. Best of all, new instructional scaffolds make this lesson adaptable for a wide range of learners!
This Extension Pack requires PowerPoint and is designed for use with projectors, interactive whiteboards, or screen share for virtual classrooms.
Immigration Nation and its Extension Pack are correlated according to WIDA's methodology using the WIDA PRIME V2 Inventory. To see how these materials best meet your ELL students' needs, click here. (Note: PRIME stands for Protocol for Review of Instructional Materials for ELLs.) LESSON OBJECTIVES: Correctly define immigration *Identify eligibility requirements for legal U.S. residence *Describe time requirements for legal residents to become eligible to apply for citizenship

Follow the processes and powers of impeachment, and find out how it really is only half the story. This printable infographic explains how impeachment works, who's involved, where those entities get their authority, and what it really takes to remove a federal official from office.
But wait there's more! Keep the learning and discussion going. Use our Impeachment & Conviction Google Slides deck as the perfect pair to the infographic, or on its own. Access your copy here.
Having trouble viewing the slide deck? Try this link for View Only. LESSON OBJECTIVES: Explore the process of impeachment and removal of federal officials *Recognize who has the power to impeach and remove, and where those powers come from

This is a full unit of study from iCivics, featuring multiple lesson plans with presentations, downloadable documents, and more. This library of mini-lessons targets the people, ideas, and events that influenced the development of America's government. Each mini-lesson includes a one-page reading and a one-page activity, and is appropriate for a variety of uses. Unlike the iCivics lesson plans, these mini-lessons are designed for students to complete independently without the need for teacher direction. However, they also make great teacher-directed lessons or even class conversation-starters, and multiple mini-lessons can be combined to make a longer lesson.

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. LESSON OBJECTIVES: Analyze the ideas behind America's founding documents. *Identify the ideas of various Enlightenment thinkers who influenced America's founders. *Recognize how various individuals and groups contributed to the development of the U.S. government. *Trace the impact of significant events that surrounded the founding of the United States.