Learners identify and interpret major interest groups and think tanks of the government. Students evaluate, record, and discuss the viewpoints of guests on the News Hour. Learners select several Web-based transcripts of interviews,...

Explore legendary cartoonist Herb Block's bold challenge of McCarthy-era politics through this analysis activity. Two cartoons are included, along with talking points to prompt analysis and background information to help pupils "read...

Canada's financial woes and a controversially suspended Parliament create fodder for political cartoons in this critical analysis handout. Background information clarifies the context, allowing scholars access to the cartoons, which poke...

Combine two current events (2008) in one political cartoon. This handout examines the Large Hadron Collider, a scientific invention that caused a sudden fear of black holes, and the financial meltdown on Wall Street. Background...

Encourage your young learners to analyze and think critically about how media portrays people or events. Upper graders analyze a political cartoon depicting President Obama as a Muslim and the First Lady as a revolutionary. Guided by...

In celebration of renowned cartoonist Herb Block's Library of Congress exhibition, this handout includes 2 of his famous political cartoons for scholars to analyze. Background information describes "Herblock's" career, and talking points...

Use this political cartoon handout to help pupils understand the role the Blue Dog Coalition plays with regard to Health Care Reform. Football is used metaphorically to represent a player (Blue Dogs) tackling someone on his team (Obama)....

Students explore the ideologies of the American political spectrum. In this American politics lesson, students examine the characteristics and platforms of liberals, conservatives, libertarians, and moderates.  Students complete the...

Get a fun discussion going with this current events worksheet, which has scholars analyzing 2 political cartoons about an incident in 2009, when Congressman Joseph Wilson accused President Barack Obama of lying during a speech....

Students review political cartoons and discuss what political impact they can have. They choose a current political cartoon and write an essay exploring its intent and impact.

Students complete a Venn Diagram comparing the Democratic Republicans and the Democratic Party today. In groups, they research the key concepts of the Democratic Party today and write a short summary. They share their ideas and...

Fourth graders examine the influence of Texans in national politics. They interview adults about the importance of participating in civic affairs. Students create brochures with three true statements and one falsehood. They trade copies...

Student analyze campaign messages about tariffs in a nineteenth-century campaign song. They identify the intended audience of the message. They discuss strategies for courting the other political party's bloc.

Students explore U.S. politics by researching the Presidential requirements. In this electoral process lesson plan, students identify the main requirements to become a Presidential candidate and the two main political parties. Students...

High schoolers analyze changes in voter participation and regional power, and review archival campaign documents reflecting the dawn of politics as we know it during the critical years from 1824 to 1832. Students utilize worksheets and...

While the Progressives never formed a political party they did develop an ideology. Provide viewers with an interesting, yet challenging presentation on the Progressive Movement that introduces key individuals and highlights key events...

As part of the study of the legislative process, scholars research redistricting and gerrymandering and the effects of these activities on lawmaking. On day one of the two-day plans, individuals redistrict the state of Elbonia so that...

Feeling ambitious about getting your scholars examining the election process? While this presidential election simulation will take preparation, the ensuing enthusiasm will be worth it! Using one or more large classes, 12th graders are...

Students examine the history of the Populist Party as it relates to its reforms and economic plight. In this Populism and the People's Party instructional activity, students explore why farmers experienced financial difficulty at the end...

Students investigate the politics of the Civil War. They use a graphic organizer in order to help sort the information. The use of key questions help to create starting points for class discussion or student essay responses.

Students observe a political advertisement and evaluate the views promoted in the ad. After exploring governmental policies, students create their own 30-second ad to promote a specified cause and publicize their views. Students share...

Students explore various forms of decision making including majority rule, executive, consensus and autocracy (as well as exploring the power of veto), when they debate a bill in a class parliament.

In this election day make-a-word worksheet, students color the pictures of the donkey and the elephant, then make words from the letters of Democrat and Republican.

Students explore accomplishments of historical figures. Through participation in a hands-on activity, teams of students match names, quotes, views and political party affiliation to the correct picture. They create a chart from the...