This article reports on a study that asks how might an elections simulation influence students with strong polarizing political beliefs? The elections simulation asks students to take on roles as candidate teams, political party leaders, interest groups, and media outlets in a mock presidential election. Students not only learn about elections but…

To prepare students for effective citizenship, the author examines the Pledge of Allegiance and explores its meaning, history, and role in American history. The author includes quotes presenting different views of the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance and examples of pledges from different countries. Teachers are encouraged to have students examine their…

The relationship of democracy to the formal education of American students is examined. The author points out that schools, in teaching democracy, teach dogma without imparting much notion of practice. It is suggested that democracy cannot be taught in the classroom. What can be taught, however, is a manner of subordination. (SM)

This new curriculum project in the social studies is designed to draw upon a variety of sources, to have students gain political knowledge and skills in such a way that they are immediately applicable, to be a non-partisan, practical course. (Author/JB)