Standard 3: Demonstrate an understanding of the principles, functions and organization of government.

Using the case study, "See-The-Sea Arrest Party," students will role play either a lawful or an unlawful search or seizure. Students will work together in groups and apply the case study to 1) determine if their scenario will be a lawful or an unlawful search ore seizure, 2) complete a storyboard graphic organizer to prepare for role playing their scenario, and 3) orally present their role play scenario to the class. Students will then complete an analysis to determine if each scenario presented is lawful or unlawful and then explain why.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will identify the rights being protected/guaranteed by the 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th Amendments by reading each amendment and answering several analyzing questions.

Type: Lesson Plan

Power point about political ideologies and the Cold War.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students are presented with the problems facing the disposal of high-level nuclear waste produced at nuclear power plants along with the government agencies that regulate the nuclear waste. After learning about several disposal options, students research the pros and cons of one of these options and present their findings to the class. The class "votes" on which option they would choose if they were part of a government agency that regulated nuclear waste disposal and discuss current disposal options being debated among various government regulatory agencies.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will be introduced to the origins of communism, the growing threat of the Soviet Union after War II, and the impact of the Red Scare on the United States and its citizens. This is lesson 1 of 3 in a mini-unit integrating civics and U.S. History.

Type: Lesson Plan

• A guided practice containing primary source political cartoons from the "Red Scare" for students to analyze.

Type: Lesson Plan

A guided practice incorporating primary source text used to demonstrate the growing threat of communism and its effect on U.S. citizens during the Red Scare.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this Korean War lesson, students will activate background knowledge by analyzing a quote on containment. They will investigate the Korean War through primary sources while creating a map of the war. The map focuses on the 38th Parallel, major battles, the new Demarcation Line, and Demilitarized Zone. Students will compare their maps from the beginning of the lesson to their final map in order to reflect on the Korean War.

This lesson can be done independently, in small groups, or in stations.

This is lesson 2 of 3 in a mini-unit integrating Civics and History

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will explain the rights that victims of a crime have; contrast the differences between restitution and victims’ compensation boards; and view a Florida Bureau of Victim Compensation brochure before breaking into a small group to discuss feelings and reactions.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will explain why the U.S. government-imposed restrictions on Japanese-Americans, a special population of U.S. citizens, during World War II, and understand why SCOTUS ruled for the restrictions, rather than enforcing the Bill of Rights.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson students will examine the history of the Federal Communications Commission to include when the FCC was created, the legislation passed to create the agency, its purpose, how it has changed over the years and expanded as technology has advanced, and how it continues to be used today. Students will also create a billboard demonstrating their understanding of the F.C.C. and their role in society since its creation.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will be comparing two U.S. Supreme court cases of Plessy V Ferguson and Brown V. Board of Education by reading and analyzing the impact in the decisions.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will unpack the 14th Amendment and discuss the impact of the Amendment on citizenship and guaranteed freedoms for African Americans. Then students will explore the consequences of the 14th Amendment and the creation of Jim Crow laws. Students will finish their lesson as they review the key facts of the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court case and determine their ruling on the case. Students will compare their ruling on the case and Supreme Court’s ruling. This is lesson 2 of 3 in a mini-unit integrating civics and US History.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is Lesson 2 of a 3-lesson series on Biotechnology and Government. Students develop a deep understanding of the effect of biotechnology on the individual, society, and environment. Several examples of Genetically Modified Organisms are reviewed. Laboratory procedures for how GMOs are made are not included. Students have the misconception that Genetically modified organisms are not evaluated and monitored for safety. Students will learn the cooperative roles that the Food and Drug Administration, the US Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency have in approving a GMO. Lesson 1 – Introduction and scaffolding. **Lesson 2 – Deepening understanding and practice. Lesson 3 – Apply what has been learned.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will analyze and rank the importance of 5 Supreme Court cases regarding the subject of the rights of the accused.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will construct a two-way frequency table of different levels of government and the imposed gasoline taxes in Florida. Students will learn about marginal and joint frequencies. This is lesson three of a 3-part integrated mathematics and civics mini-unit.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will review constructing and solving Venn diagrams with two and three data sets. Students will then convert text about the collection of taxes from the local, state, and federal governments into a Venn diagram. This is lesson 1 of a three-part integrated mathematics and civics mini-unit.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will discuss, recognize, and be challenged to list unions, intersections, and complements related to a Venn diagram created by three data sets. The data is the type of taxes assessed to citizens by the local, state, and federal governments. This is the second lesson in a 3-part integrated mathematics and civic mini-unit.

Type: Lesson Plan

A look at examples of federalism in action including the federal and state minimum wages. Students will identify examples of federal powers, state powers and shared (concurrent) powers. 

Type: Lesson Plan

An introduction and look at government price controls. Students will analyze a supply and demand schedule to answer questions relating to a price ceiling.

Type: Lesson Plan

National Parks!

Teddy Roosevelt played a huge role in their creation.  Teach your students not only the history of America's amazing national parks but also stir debate about the appropriate use of executive power.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students have the misconception that Genetically Modified foods are sold without an evaluation of safety, regulation, or monitoring.

Students will learn what Genetically Modified Organisms are. Specific examples of Bt Toxin and Herbicide Resistance genes are highlighted. Laboratory techniques are not discussed.

Students will analyze a graph showing Bt corn, Bt cotton, and Herbicide Tolerant corn, soybean, and cotton use has increased from 15 percent in 1996 to 90 percent in 2022.

Students will learn the need for regulating agencies, and where they fit within government organization. Students will learn that the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency work together to evaluate GMOs and approve for use.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will build upon prior knowledge of containment by analysis of primary sources that support and critique how to respond to the spread of communism. They will categorize these sources as ‘for’ or ‘against’ containment and the Truman Doctrine to represent there was disagreements on the best way to handle the USSR. Students will answer reflection questions connecting the view of communism seen in the sources to the Truman Doctrine. Then, students will create two of their own political cartoons, one in support and one against containment. The teacher can choose to extend the activity by doing a gallery walk of the cartoons.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will examine Article I Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution to identify the expressed powers of Congress.  They will identify examples of implied powers that helps carry out an expressed power.

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Students will analyze amendments 5-10 and complete a graphic organizer.  Then students will match real world examples with the correct amendment.  Finally, students will paraphrase amendments 5-10 in their own words.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson for Out of Order: Stories from the History of the Supreme Court, students will review the research presented in the text to explain the roles of the Supreme and Lesser courts.

There are three lessons that can be used to complement a study of Out of Order: Stories from the History of the Supreme Court and allow students to take a new perspective by merging ELA skills with civics knowledge.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will read portions of Out of Order: Stories from the History of the Supreme Court and use what they learned about the process of writing summary opinions to write a narrative skit that displays the dialogue from their understanding in the Judge’s chambers.

There are three lessons that can be used to complement a study of Out of Order: Stories from the History of the Supreme Court and help students take a new perspective by merging ELA skills with civics knowledge.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will review Article II and Amendments 12, 20, 22, 23, and 25 of the United States Constitution to understand the structure, function, and process of the Executive Branch.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this interactive lesson, students will understand the concept of carbon footprint and its role in climate change. Students learn how to measure their carbon footprint using an online carbon footprint calculator. This tool allows them to assess the environmental impact of their daily activities. Students will explore some effective strategies and actions aimed at reducing their carbon footprint. They will be able to recognize the responsibilities of citizens and the government to help create a greener future.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will read portions of Out of Order: Stories from the History of the Supreme Court by Sandra Day O'Connor. After having interactive discussions regarding the manner, in which the text described how judges were appointed, their tenure, and salaries, students will demonstrate their new knowledge by creating a “Supreme Jobs” job announcement.

There are three lessons that can be used to complement a study of Out of Order: Stories from the History of the Supreme Court and help students take a new perspective by merging ELA skills with civics knowledge.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will learn about early events of the Cold War and containment through analysis of primary sources of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan. They will annotate the sources and answer critical thinking questions about why containment was imperative and how certain political ideologies conflict with democracy. This is lesson 2 in a mini unit integrating civics and social studies.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will learn about the early stages of the Cold War when the United States and Soviet Union navigated how to both be superpowers through a short reading. Then, they will identify and color countries on a map that exemplifies the divide between the East and West. This is lesson 1 of 3 in a mini unit integrating civics and social studies.

Type: Lesson Plan

• A guided practice will be used to teach the end of segregation in the United States. The guided practice requires students to interact with primary text from the Supreme Court opinion of Brown v. Board of Education.
• This lesson will be used to demonstrate the end of segregation in the United States and draw a direct comparison between the Supreme Court cases of Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will be placed into small groups to view, analyze, and discuss primary source photos. The photos incorporated will display Jim Crow Laws, segregation, and early forms of protest during the Civil Rights movement. Each photo will require students to provide a brief description and answer questions based off of the primary source images. After the lesson, students will complete a guided practice incorporating primary source text taken from Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. This is lesson 2 of 3 in a mini-unit integrating civics and U.S. History.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will be introduced to the practice of segregation through a guided lesson. The guided lesson will include key vocabulary terms necessary for the lesson, the basis of the Supreme Court case of Plessy v. Ferguson, and the establishment of Jim Crow laws. After the lesson, students will complete a guided practice incorporating primary source text taken from the opinion of Plessy v. Ferguson. This is lesson 1 of 3 in a mini-unit integrating civics and U.S. History.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will continue their consideration of the legal water dispute between Florida and Georgia and research the issues involved to create a point-counterpoint argument on whether the actions of humans in Georgia affect the aquatic ecosystems in Florida. They will apply their understanding of factors that affect aquatic ecosystems as well as the impact that humans can have on the environment in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will summarize the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution and selections from Florida Statute 817.5655. The relationship between DNA collection and testing as they relate to their constitutional rights will then be explored in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will learn basic information about impeachment as it is established in the U.S. Constitution. Students learn what impeachment is, why it is included in the Constitution, who is subject to impeachment, why someone may be impeached, who has been impeached, and how impeachment works. Students will complete a graphic organizer, create a timeline, and complete an assessment quiz.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will investigate the Fourth Amendment implications of DNA collection techniques and technologies used in solving true crime examples in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will connect the concepts of Cell Theory and our founding documents by researching cell related issues including cancer cells, stem cells, and cloning. They will be able to explain how new ideas and unique solutions require people of various backgrounds and specialities working together and how the founding documents created a system of government that works to protect the rights of both scientists and public health.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will be introduced to the legal water dispute between Florida and Georgia. They will research the issues involved to explore whether/how the actions of humans in Georgia affect the aquatic ecosystems in Florida. Students will discover how disputes like this one between states are addressed in the United States during this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will work individually and in small groups to analyze the Everglades Forever Act then roleplay as a social media team attempting to increase community involvement in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is Lesson 3 in an integrated Civics and Coding Unit.  In this lesson, students will produce Scratch programs based on the flow chart they created in Lesson 2 that depicts the U.S. impeachment process.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is Lesson 2 in a 3-part series that integrates coding and civics. In this lesson, students will create a flowchart of the impeachment process in the United States. They will experience conditional statements and learn to place these in a flowchart. By the end of the lesson, students will have a clear understanding of the impeachment process and a visual representation of the steps involved.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will analyze and rank the importance of 5 Supreme Court cases regarding the subject of integration.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students’ knowledge of DNA will be broadened to include the concepts of touch/shed DNA, PCR, genetic genealogy, and how the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution relates to those cutting edge technologies in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is Part I of a three-lesson unit on the impeachment process.  In this lesson, students will research and identify the different individuals and groups involved in the impeachment process. Students will engage in discussions and activities to deepen their understanding of the impeachment process and how it relates to the US political system. They will analyze the research website for reliability and accuracy. Throughout the unit, students will do research, complete a flow chart, and finally create a Scratch program on the impeachment process and history.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will be using primary sources to create an annotated timeline on the causes of WWII. The events start with the Treaty of Versailles and end with Hitler’s invasion of Poland. Students are tasked with describing how one event led to another to analyze how the Treaty of Versailles created instability in Europe and a climate for totalitarian dictators to take control. Ultimately, students will reflect on how dictators gained power and how their policies contrasted with democracy.

Type: Lesson Plan

This lesson is #3 in an ELA/Civics Integrated Text Unit designed to support students with the integration of civics into the ELA classroom through the reading and study of Homer’s The Odyssey. This lesson should take place after students have read excerpts from Part 2 of The Odyssey. Students will use knowledge from lessons one and two as well as information from Article II of the United States Constitution to identify and explain the different presidential responsibilities such as receiving foreign heads of state. They will then create a “White House Press Briefing” outlining the U.S. President’s events of the day which includes a visit from a foreign head of state- Odysseus-who has come to the United States to learn more about how the United States borrowed from Greece when creating a constitutional republic.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will observe a demonstration of the effects of changing a landscape on water flow and connect what they observe in the demo with the development of South Florida wetlands. They will then be introduced to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and assess the influence the government had on changes in the ecosystem and the lives of the South Florida population in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will analyze the facts and opinions of landmark SCOTUS cases, looking for evidence of how the Court safeguarded and/or limited the rights of certain individuals, populations, or communities.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will learn about the causes and consequences of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This lesson will trace the failures of the Treaty of Versailles, its effect on international relations, the motives behind the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and how the United States responded through legislative action. The lesson includes a guided presentation, guided notes for students, built-in review questions to determine comprehension, and a formative assessment utilizing a primary source text.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will learn about how the U.S. Constitution safeguards the rights of all citizens by looking at the history of rights for individuals with disabilities in the United States. Students will examine the 14^th Amendment, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and their role in shaping societal treatment of people with disabilities and their treatment by others. Students will analyze court cases related to various disabilities and discrimination in the United States, determining how these court cases and clarification of the law helped to shape society’s sentiments regarding individuals with disabilities. Students will create a public service announcement regarding their court case analysis, using the public service announcement to create awareness.

Type: Lesson Plan

This PowerPoint slideshow is designed to support teachers in delivering direct instruction on the Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier landmark Supreme Court case. The accompanying guided notes can be completed by students during instruction.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will identify how income and changes in spending and taxes affect budgets and spending in the government and in individual households and identify and describe the enumerated powers delegates to Congress to create a federal budget. Students will also identify an amendment related to the federal budget and create a personal one-year budget plan for a specific career path.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this integrated lesson plan, students will use an interactive program in Scratch to create an informational interactive presentation identifying key factors regarding the impact of Landmark Supreme court cases on the law.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will become familiar with James Madison's influence on the creation of a three-branch government system in the United States. 

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will examine the implementation of President Harry Truman’s Executive Order 9981 to end segregation in the U.S. Armed Forces. Through a Jigsaw activity students will see how implementation occurred in the Air Force, Navy, Army, Marines, Coast Guard, and National Guard.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will have the opportunity to analyze the use of atomic weapons on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. Students will look at the executive branch, the role of the U.S. president as “Commander in Chief” of the military during war, and the U.S. President who made the call to utilize this weapon during WWII. Students will analyze the pros and cons of using the atomic weapon. Students will also look at the aftermath of the use of the atomic bombs.

Type: Lesson Plan

• A guided presentation on Abraham Lincoln's role in the U.S. Civil War and the eventual end of slavery in the United States. This presentation examines Lincoln's changing stance on slavery, southern states' challenge of federal law, and the end of slavery in the United States. Included in this lesson are guided notes, built in review questions, and a guided practice worksheet for students to complete.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will choose a social issue and describe how citizens and local, state and federal government are involved.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the establishment of the judicial branch, the responsibilities of the court system, and key landmark cases that have impacted the United States. This lesson should be taught after students have had the chance to explore basics about the structures, functions, and processes of the judicial branch as described in Article III of the U.S. Constitution.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will go on a "road trip" to learn about events surrounding the Civil Rights Movement while becoming familiar with the geography of the United States.

Type: Lesson Plan

This lesson will introduce students to the U.S. federal judicial branch. The Supreme Court's power, limitations, and structure are presented in a student-guided presentation.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will explain how citizens were affected by local, state and federal government during the Jim Crow Era.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will program a simulation or model to demonstrate how technology and public policy influence the response to sports-related head injuries using Scratch in this integrated lesson. This is the third lesson in a series of three where students will explore the influence of public policy and technology on the identification and response to concussions among athletes. In part 1, students conducted research to discover the dangers associated with concussions, identify legislation and public policy aimed at mitigating the risks of sports-related head injuries, and explore different ways technology can be used to prevent, diagnose, and assess concussions among athletes. In part 2, students developed an algorithm for their simulation or model and illustrated it using a flowchart, which they will use to assist them as they code the program in part 3.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students conduct research to discover the dangers associated with concussions and why it is an important public health concern in this integrated lesson. They will explore legislation and public policy aimed at mitigating the risks of sports-related head injuries as well as different ways technology can be used to prevent, diagnose, and assess concussions among athletes. This is the first lesson in a series of three where students will investigate how public policy and technology influence the identification and response to potential sports-related head injuries. In part 2, students will plan a simulation or model to demonstrate how technology and public policy influence our response to sports-related head injuries, and in part 3, students will program their simulation or model using Scratch.

Type: Lesson Plan

This gallery walk covers landmark Supreme Court cases that may directly impact the lives of students.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will "think, pair, share" the road to African-American equality based on reading about various U.S. Supreme Court cases and constitutional amendments.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will use the U.S. Constitution Article III, and primary sources, Federalist Papers and Anti-Federalist Papers, to analyze the structures, functions and processes of the judicial branch.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will develop an algorithm for a simulation or model to demonstrate how technology and public policy influence the response to sports-related head injuries in this integrated lesson. This is the second lesson in a series of three where students will explore the influence of public policy and technology on the identification and response to concussions among athletes. In part 1, students conducted research to discover the dangers associated with concussions, identify legislation and public policy aimed at mitigating the risks of sports-related head injuries, and explore different ways technology can be used to prevent, diagnose, and assess concussions among athletes. In part 3, students will program their simulation or model using Scratch.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will learn about the levels, structures, and jurisdictions of the federal and Florida court systems.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will read excerpts from Plessy v. Ferguson [1896], Brown v. Board of Education [1954], and Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education [1971] and explain the outcomes of each case using a graphic organizer. Students will receive direct instruction on some historical context and background information of each case to aid in understanding. Students will complete a timeline to illustrate the impact of landmark Supreme Court decisions as it relates to integration and busing. The lesson will conclude with a student analysis of the impact of the Supreme Court cases on integration and busing and how those cases have expanded rights found in the U.S. Constitution 

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will use a slideshow and guided notes to learn about the protections guaranteed by the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.  They will also learn about Southern resistance to those new rights and how they were restored in the 20th century.  Finally, students will  complete a worksheet utilizing primary source texts.

Type: Lesson Plan

Using primary source documents and a Jigsaw technique students will explore the process resulting in President Truman's Executive Order 9981 ending segregation in our armed services. Teachers will guide students through an understanding of presidential “executive order” authority, history of African American military service in the U.S. and help students trace the evolution of thinking as our nation moved toward equality for all.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will learn about the relationship between state and federal courts and why federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have supreme authority under the Constitution. Students then research and learn about the implications of 3 landmark cases that originated in the state of Florida.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will analyze presidential responsibilities and decision-making, notably in the diplomatic/foreign policy realm. Students will examine Constitutional diplomatic powers and responsibilities of the U.S. presidency by exploring the example of President Truman’s decision to formally recognize the State of Israel. Students will also explain why the creation of the State of Israel was a significant event of the 20^th century by exploring the context surrounding the event, including the role of the U.S.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will learn about the impeachment process in the United States with a PowerPoint Presentation that provides detailed information and historical examples.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will learn about the presidency and the executive branch. After direct instruction, students will demonstrate their understanding of the office of president by developing a “job announcement."

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will review interview notes and historical research to write first draft narratives about individuals they previously interviewed in this integrated lesson. This lesson is Part 3 in a series of 5 parts designed to help students communicate with members of an older generation.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will develop a deeper understanding of how the U.S. government balances the rights of individuals with the public good.  Students will learn about the Espionage Act and the Sedition Act and will research the Schenck v. U.S. case of 1919 to explain and evaluate the Court’s ruling in relation to these controversial laws.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will research the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the Constitution of the United States.  Students will explore the significance of these amendments in group settings and in an invidual written reflection.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will work collaborative to identify key excerpts from landmark Supreme Court cases and evaluate the legal and societal impacts of each case. The landmark cases deal with integration and the rights of the accused, (Dred Scott v. Sandford, Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. Board of Education, Gideon v. Wainwright, Miranda v. Arizona, and Mapp v. Ohio). 

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will explain how issues between Florida, other states and the federal government are resolved.

Type: Lesson Plan

This 5-part student-centered activity places students in the role of a local emergency management team that is tasked by the County Board of Commissioners to develop a County Hurricane Emergency Management Plan (CHEMP). In part 2, student teams will utilize the research they conducted in part 1 to develop part of a County Hurricane Emergency Management Plan (CHEMP). Teams will complete a plan worksheet and upload it along with any relevant attachments to an online collaborative platform for feedback. The teacher’s role will be to facilitate plan development and assist with the document upload process.

Type: Lesson Plan

This 5-part student-centered activity places students in the role of a local emergency management team that is tasked by the County Board of Commissioners to develop a County Hurricane Emergency Management Plan (CHEMP). In part 2, student teams utilized the research they conducted in part 1 to develop one portion of a County Hurricane Emergency Management Plan (CHEMP). Teams completed a plan worksheet and uploaded it along with any relevant attachments to an online collaborative platform for feedback. In part 3, student teams will review the draft submitted by a team working on a different portion of the CHEMP and provide feedback through the online collaborative platform. Teams will provide feedback to the other team using a checklist (attached). Once feedback has been given, teams will then utilize feedback to adjust their plan before developing a presentation to communicate their plan to the County Board of Commissioners.

Type: Lesson Plan

This 5-part student-centered activity places students in the role of a local emergency management team that is tasked by the County Board of Commissioners to develop a County Hurricane Emergency Management Plan (CHEMP). In part 4, students will work within their teams to create the three components of their presentations. Students will plan their oral presentation to the County Board of Commissioners as well as create a visual presentation and a written document. The teacher’s role will be to present the task, monitor student engagement, and provide feedback as the teams complete the three components of their portion of the plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

This 5-part student-centered activity places students in the role of a local emergency management team that is tasked by the County Board of Commissioners to develop a County Hurricane Emergency Management Plan (CHEMP). In parts 1-3, students conducted research and collaborated to create portions of the CHEMP. In part 4, teams prepared a presentation for the County Board of Commissioners. In part 5, each team will present their plan to the board. Each student will be scored using the rubric provided.

Type: Lesson Plan

This 5-part student-centered activity places students in the role of a local emergency management team that is tasked by the County Board of Commissioners to develop a County Hurricane Emergency Management Plan (CHEMP). In part 1, the class will divide into teams responsible for different aspects of the CHEMP. Students will conduct research on the state’s expectations for local emergency management plans, the likely impacts of hurricanes in the local area, and the resources available to address preparation, response, and recovery in the event of a major hurricane. The teacher’s role will be to present the task and facilitate student research as they investigate their portion of the plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students examine the roles that federal district courts, the courts of appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court play in the judicial review process. Students will explain the relationship between the concept of judicial review and the language of the Supremacy Clause in Article VI of the U.S. Constitution. 

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will examine the influence of hurricanes and other severe weather/natural disasters on public policy.  They will explore the role of the state government in preparing for and responding to emergencies including severe weather and natural disasters in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will examine the influence of hurricanes and other severe weather/natural disasters on public policy.  They will explore the role of the state government in preparing for and responding to emergencies including severe weather and natural disasters in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will learn about the role of national, state, and local governments. The teacher will lead a discussion and comparison of the three levels of government (national, state, and local) to make real-world connections. Students will engage in a silent debate on a issue of federalism at work. 

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will examine the influence of hurricanes and other severe weather/natural disasters on public policy.  They will explore the role of the state government in preparing for and responding to emergencies including severe weather and natural disasters in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will review different forms of government and engage in a discussion and reflection of the advantages offered by the United States' constitutional republic. A slideshow, graphic organizer, pretest, and class activity allow students to apply their knowledge.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will explore the political, social, and environmental consequences of government monitoring and policy decisions regarding sustainable use of land and water.  They will interpret the Florida statutes and consider their impact on the citizens and environment of Florida in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will explore the political, social, and environmental consequences of government monitoring and policy decisions regarding sustainable use of land and water.  They will interpret the Florida statutes and consider their impact on the citizens and environment of Florida in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will explore the political, social, and environmental consequences of government monitoring and policy decisions regarding sustainable use of land and water.  They will interpret the Florida statutes and consider their impact on the citizens and environment of Florida in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will explore the political, social, and environmental consequences of government monitoring and policy decisions regarding sustainable use of land and water.  They will interpret the Florida statutes and consider their impact on the citizens and environment of Florida in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will explore the political, social, and environmental consequences of government monitoring and policy decisions regarding sustainable use of land and water.  They will interpret the Florida statutes and consider their impact on the citizens and environment of Florida in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will explore the political, social, and environmental consequences of government monitoring and policy decisions regarding sustainable use of land and water.  They will interpret the Florida statutes and consider their impact on the citizens and environment of Florida in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will explore the political, social, and environmental consequences of government monitoring and policy decisions regarding sustainable use of land and water.  They will interpret the Florida statutes and consider their impact on the citizens and environment of Florida in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will explore the importance of biodiversity and interdependence within ecosystems by analyzing Florida Statutes related to nonnative species.  They will interpret the statutes and consider their impact on the citizens and environment of Florida in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will explore the importance of biodiversity and interdependence within ecosystems by analyzing Florida Statutes related to nonnative species.  They will interpret the statutes and consider their impact on the citizens and environment of Florida in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will explore the importance of biodiversity and interdependence within ecosystems by analyzing Florida Statutes related to nonnative species.  They will interpret the statutes and consider their impact on the citizens and environment of Florida in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will explore the importance of biodiversity and interdependence within ecosystems by analyzing Florida Statutes related to nonnative species.  They will interpret the statutes and consider their impact on the citizens and environment of Florida in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will explore the importance of biodiversity and interdependence within ecosystems by analyzing Florida Statutes related to nonnative species.  They will interpret the statutes and consider their impact on the citizens and environment of Florida in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students read about the local, state, and federal government structure and responsibilities. Students will then analyze their daily routines to identify ways that their daily lives are affected by the local, state, and federal governments.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will explore the interactions between the branches of the government, independent regulatory agencies, the American people, and industry.  

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will learn about the federal bureaucracy and the ways the three branches of government can guide, check, and expand the bureaucracy.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will measure pH and determine pOH for various solutions. They will pH and pOH to calculate hydronium ion and hydroxide ion concentrations for each solution. They will also be introduced to water treatment processes and learn how pH for drinking water is regulated by the government. Students will reflect on how this impacts their daily lives in this integrated lesson.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will apply what they have learned about the levels, structure, and jurisdiction of U.S. Federal and Florida State Court systems to case scenarios.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will develop an understanding of the implied, express, enumerated, concurrent, and reserved powers of Congress. Students will spend time analyzing parts of the U.S. Constitution in order to identify the powers of Congress, where they came from, and the impact structural decisions had on the practice of Congressional power.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students take on the responsibility of determining how people should be represented. After working collaboratively to determine representation based on a fictional scenario, students learn about the structure of the legislative branch as defined by Article I of the Constitution. Finally, students respond to synthesis questions regarding the legislative structure, the Founders’ motives, and their own perspective on representation.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will learn about some applications of various biotechnology advancements by reading a series of scenarios. They will evaluate some ethical, legal, and moral implications of biotechnology, including if or how it can be regulated by the government in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students are exposed to the presidential impeachment process. After reviewing Section 4 of Article II of the United States Constitution, students analyze historic impeachment trials in a jigsaw format. In groups of four, each student takes on one of the impeachment scenarios and responds to the prompts. Groups reconvene to review the scenarios and reach a consensus when responding to the synthesis prompts.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will work in small groups to review information about an invasive species in Florida and learn to recognize scientifically reliable sources. Groups will teach their classmates about the assigned species and discuss some of the impacts that species has on the biodiversity of the local ecosystem where they have been introduced.

Students will explore the role of the state government, specifically the Florida Wildlife Commission and the Florida Department of Agriculture, in preserving the biodiversity of Florida. Students will relate the creation of invasive species laws to the impacts government can have on the environment and daily lives of citizens.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson intended for the debate classroom, students will read through pivotal court cases in preparation for an Extemporaneous Speaking Socratic Seminar. Teachers will divide their class up into two groups. Each student in each group will get 10 minutes to prep individually after the question has been posted on the board. When prep time is over, the whole group debates using refutation, claim, warrant, data, impact format. They have 15 minutes for each student to make his/her argument.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will work collaboratively to make arguments for and against a proposed piece of legislation: A Bill to Eliminate Bot Social Media Accounts to Stifle Misinformation.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan intended for a debate class, students will create Congressional arguments based on proposed legislation randomly assigned to them at different stations.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan intended for the debate classroom, students will explore the ways two Supreme Court Justices interpreted the rights enumerated in the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. They will use these interpretations to explore the basics of argument and the many ways a single text can be interpreted to support an argument.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will be introduced to the terms federalism, expressed, implied, concurrent, and reserved powers. Then, they will break into small groups to examine text from the U.S. Constitution and apply their learning to differentiate expressed, implied, concurrent, and reserved powers.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will review a Supreme Court case, identify the rights restricted and, try to determine a ruling for the case before reviewing the historical outcomes. The cases relate to historical events that have resulted in the government limiting or attempting to limit the rights/freedoms of the people of the United States. Students will then compare their decisions with the findings of the Supreme Court. As they review the cases, they will build an understanding of government-imposed restrictions on citizen’s rights and why they may happen.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students form “legal teams” to learn about and discuss three landmark Supreme Court cases: Tinker v. Des Moines, Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, and Texas v. Johnson. Teams present their cases to a student “Supreme Court” and make oral arguments. The Court decides each case and announces its rulings. The teacher reveals the actual rulings and leads a final discussion about the cases.

Type: Lesson Plan

Explore the office of the president, to include its creation, requirements to be president, responsibilities of the president while in office, amendments that have changed the role over the years, and other important information about the position in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Learn about differences between direct and indirect taxes, as well as taxes that are progressive, proportional, and regressive. In this interactive tutorial, you will explore how characteristics of taxes can vary by level of government and how different taxes can affect taxpayers differently.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Learn more about how the local, state, and national governments affect citizens and impact their daily lives in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Travel through the southern United States to visit significant areas of the Civil Rights Movement with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Learn about the conclusion of the Watergate scandal and President Nixon's term as President of the United States in this interactive tutorial.

This is part 6 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4
• Part 5
• Part 6

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Explore how Executive Order 9981 ended segregation in our military, thereby expanding rights for African Americans in the U.S. Army, Air Force, and National Guard with this interactive tutorial.

This is part 1 of a two-part series: Click HERE to open part 2 (coming soon). In Part 2, you'll see how Executive Order 9981 was implemented in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Explore how Executive Order 9981 ended segregation in our military, thereby expanding rights for African Americans in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard with this interactive tutorial.

This is part 2 of a two-part series. Click HERE to open Part 1, which explores how Executive Order 9981 was implemented in the Army, Air Force, and National Guard.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Travel around the state of Alabama to learn about three events during the Civil Rights era: the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the 16th Street Church bombing, and the March to Selma with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Continue learning about Watergate -- a political scandal that represents a significant chapter in American history--with this interactive tutorial. The events of Watergate led Richard Nixon, President of the United States, to resign his office.

This is part 2 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4
• Part 5
• Part 6

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Learn about the history, purpose, and impact of the National Labor Relations Board with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Did you know our military personnel faced segregation and discrimination while serving our country? Learn about presidential powers, the use of executive orders by our presidents, and how Executive Order 9981 ended segregation in the U.S. armed forces with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Learn about Watergate -- a political scandal that represents a significant chapter in American history with this interactive tutorial. The events of Watergate led Richard Nixon, President of the United States, to resign his office.

This is part 1 in a six-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4
• Part 5
• Part 6

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Explore the purpose, role, and impact of the Federal Communications Commission (F.C.C.) with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

This Grades 9-12 Civics Family Guide provides some ideas and activities to support civics education when at home, out and about, and in the community. The activities provided align to the civics learning benchmarks within Standard 3 at these grade levels.

Type: Teaching Idea

This teaching resource provides the tools to help students analyze the use of rhetorical appeals in President Franklin Roosevelt’s speech, “A Day that Will Live in Infamy.” The president delivered this powerful speech in the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Students will analyze Roosevelt’s use of ethos, pathos, and logos in his address to Congress and the American people. 

Type: Teaching Idea

This Tic Tac Toe activity is intended to allow students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of landmark Supreme Court cases and to explore the impacts of those cases. 

Type: Teaching Idea

This activity, intended to span an entire unit but also able to be implemented daily and weekly, helps students process and apply Congressional Debate techniques. Drawing new cards weekly adds new rules and procedures to class routines. Students will hone debate skills while learning about the proccesses of the legislative branch.

Type: Teaching Idea

This teaching resource provides the tools to help students analyze President George W. Bush’s “9/11 Address to the Nation.” This resource will help students examine the president’s rhetoric and how he uses figurative language to achieve his different purposes. This includes his use of both imagery and alliteration. Students will also examine how the president uses the rhetorical device antithesis to achieve his purposes.

Type: Text Resource

Born in 1949, under the dictatorship of Joseph Stalin, Tatiana Menaker grew up in communist Soviet Union (now the Russian Federation), witnessing first-hand the inequalities that occurred under Stalin’s rule. “Refuseniks,” Tatiana and her family applied for permission to emigrate and became “Refuseniks” when they were denied permission to emigrate. Eventually, Tatiana engineered a plan that would allow her and her family to escape the Soviet Union.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Lily Tang Williams was born in communist China during Mao Zedong’s rule. She witnessed Mao’s Cultural Revolution first hand as she was growing up. She was a member of the Young Pioneers and the Red Guard, but yearned to come to the United States to learn about and live in a democracy. In 1988, she was able to come to the United States for schooling and was granted asylum status.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Idelia Viera shares the experience of being exiled from Cuba as a young woman, with special focus on the Cuban Missile Crisis. Ms. Viera describes the difficulties her immigrant family faced and overcame in their new home, providing educational opportunities for their children she and her husband never had. Her daughter, Dr. Cristina Viera, shares her experiences growing up as the child of political refugees and talks about how her career path stems from the dreams her father had before he left Cuba.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Luis Martínez-Fernández was born at the beginning of the Cuban Revolution. Dr. Martínez-Fernández immigrated to the United States with his family when he was 2 years old after the Bay of Pigs Invasion. His family moved to Lima, Peru after his father was offered employment there. Dr. Martínez-Fernández’s family left Peru after the President of Peru was ousted from power. The new government in Peru concerned Dr. Martínez-Fernández’s father and the family moved to Puerto Rico where they become U.S. Citizens. Dr. Martínez-Fernández moved to the U.S. after graduation from The University of Puerto Rico. He is a Professor of History, an author, and is civically engaged through his nationally syndicated column.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation