Provides a simulation of the United States Constitutional Convention. The simulation involves students in re-creating the conflicts between the colonies, seeking compromise, and comparing the outcome of the simulation with the actual Constitution. (JDH)

Activities in this elementary school unit about the 1980 presidential election can easily be adapted to any election. Fact sheets list the main functions of the president, 10 steps in becoming president, qualifications for the presidency, qualifications and duties of the vice president, election vocabulary, an explanation of the electoral college,…

These workshop curricular materials concerning the design and implementation of alternate forms of citizen participation mechanisms were prepared for use with management-level and pre-service personnel involved in urban management within a political environment. Three curricular modules are presented. Module I, "An Overview of Citizen…

This article provides a five day unit for secondary students which demonstrates how limited information influences U.S. foreign policy decisions. Students assume roles as presidential advisors recommending actions among three imaginary foreign countries and the United States. (JDH)

This syllabus begins with a list of concepts, competencies, and skills for review. Two projects are described: the construction of a resource guide and the development of a set of guidelines for the acquisition, organization, and dissemination of government information. Several topics for discussion are suggested, followed by a bibliography which…

This article offers a class activity on separation of powers and checks and balances within the U.S. government. Based on Franklin Delano Roosevelt's attempt to push through legislation for the New Deal of the 1930s by "packing" the U.S. Supreme Court, the activity includes worksheets and teaching suggestions. (JDH)

Designed to help students understand basic election issues, campaign practices, election processes, and voting procedures, this curriculum guide contains information about U.S. politics in relation to the concept of freedom and historical material on the founding of U.S. political parties, Jeffersonian democracy, and political parties after 1850.…

Describes the Fourth Annual Teachers' Institute on Canadian Parliamentary Democracy in November 1999 and offers information about two institutes to be held in 2000-2001. Presents a crossword puzzle that contains general information about the Parliament of Canada. Provides the across and down clues, a word list, and the answer key. (CMK)

The readings presented in this textbook provide a balanced group of opinions. The topics covered are the Constitution, the Congress, the presidency, the bureaucracy, judiciary, media, interest groups, and the people. Perspectives presented were written so that one can draw three dimensional objects on a two dimensional surface, giving a sense of…

This textbook on the separation of church and state continues the "Exploring the Constitution Series," which introduces important areas of constitutional law. Intended to serve either as a reference work, a supplement to a standard textbook, or as the textbook for a course, this volume covers the constitutional issues of prayer in public…

This textbook (for high school students) presents a thorough discussion of basic political and economic systems. Divided into two sections (political systems and economics systems), each chapter identifies the concepts that students learn; defines new terms introduced in the chapter; highlights in color, key terms and phrases; provides activities…

This paper provides student materials for a course project in which students read, analyze, and interpret the information in an actual comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) of a government entity (a city with a population greater than 40,000), and is based on the actual reviewer's checklist used by the Government Finance Officers…

Intermediate grade teachers are provided with 14 presidential election learning activities which introduce students to the different stages of the campaign process, past presidents, and the two-party system. Students participate in a presidential facts game, an election vocabulary game, a word search, and a matching game; create campaign slogans…

This book accompanied by the Teacher's guide, focuses on policy issues being discussed and debated by U.S. policymakers. The book provides essays on current issues facing the nation and the world. Ten chapters highlight domestic policy issues and 10 chapters are about foreign policy issues. This book informs readers about important concerns of…

Lobbying is defined as the function of citizens to express their views and to gain the support of legislators for proposed laws. This guide, for Massachusetts students, is designed to take students step by step through the lobbying process and to suggest strategies and resources to use in their own lobbying efforts. The guide contains the…