The "Participation in Government" course is intended to be a culminating activity for social studies students in New York State high schools. Designed to have students apply prior knowledge in the determination of positions regarding vital public issues, the course is particularly crucial for non-regents students, for it will, in many cases, represent a terminal exposure to significant questions in an academic setting. If students are to participate as intelligent citizens, they must develop and practice the skills which they will soon be called upon to utilize. This teacher's guide is for use in a course based on the "National Issues Forum Model" (described in the appendix). The specific issues dealt with are freedom of speech; immigration; the superpowers; and moral issues. A brief description of the course format is given. The guide is printed in the form of a series of questions which may be used to structure individual lessons, provide homework assignments, or to initiate class discussions. Unit 1, "Structure and Function of Government," contains lessons on topics such as citizenship, federalism, and the Constitutional Amendments. Unit 2, "Freedom of Speech," addresses the First Amendment, clear and present danger, and censorship. Unit 3, "Immigration--What We Promised: Where to Draw the Line," explores student attitudes towards immigration, the effects of immigration, and illegal immigration. Unit 4, "The Superpowers--Nuclear Weapons and National Security," involves the study of U.S.-Soviet relations, nuclear arms concerns in both countries, and other common concerns of both nations. (GEA)