This teacher's guide accompanies a videotape of the same name. Vice President Albert Gore, Jr., discusses current issues with students who question Mr. Gore on such topics as the environment, reinventing government, voter participation, crime, and the United States' role in foreign affairs. Gore tailors his answers to the teenage audience as the…

Most social studies textbooks lack the content K-3 students need to develop basic social understandings, despite the fact that this is one of the goals of most state and district curriculum guides. This book offers an alternative/enhancement to the textbook, since it provides units structured around powerful ideas, developed in depth with…

Suggests how an interest in government may be stimulated in secondary-level vocational classes in Canada. The theory of government is integrated with a practical exercise on the student council election. (RM)

The political system of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) is explained and comparisons are made with the U.S. system. Descriptions are given of the West German political parties and the process and importance of forming coalitions is explained. A lesson plan is presented that utilizes the case study and includes a simulation exercise…

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,…

This manual was written to accompany workshop curricular materials concerning the design and implementation of alternate forms of citizen participation mechanisms. The materials were prepared for use with management-level and pre-service personnel involved in urban management within a political environment. Three curricular modules are presented…

Illustrates how the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution provides an opportunity to teach about the broader concept of constitutionalism through study of the state constitutions. Presents an argument for teaching about state constitutions, their role in the federal system, and the values they convey. (LS)

Presents a mathematics activity that introduces proof by contradiction in a nonformal setting. This activity has the added benefit of helping students gain a greater understanding of the electoral college. (ASK)

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)

Reviews conditions in the United States supporting the need for the treatment of terrorism in social studies textbooks and reports the results of a survey of 19 high school government and history textbooks. Concludes that only two books offered students any help in defining or understanding terrorism. (JDH)

This instructional package, consisting of a text and 16 transparencies, is designed for the high school classroom. The three lessons in this instructional package are: (1) "The German Worker" (six activities); (2) "Government in Germany" (seven activities); and (3) "Culture and Daily Life in Germany" (six activities).…

This citizenship preparation curriculum from Missouris English Language and Literacy Center focuses on history, the government, and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) N-400 form. It includes changes made by the INS to the N-400, including the expanded "good moral character" section. The curriculum addresses a broad array of…

This series of independent lessons draws from examples of real legal issues and encourages students to refer to Constitutional interpretations and precedent cases to arrive at judgments. The lessons include: (1) "Affirmative Action: How Level is the Playing Field?"; (2) "We Are a Nation of Immigrants"; (3) "Should Elected…

Describes a simulation designed by two Canadian teachers to help ninth-grade students learn about Canadian politics and government in both theory and practice. (RM)