The quinmester general social studies course for grades seven through nine provides a framework for studying the Dade County community and surrounding metropolitan area. Emphasis is upon enhancing the student's understanding and appreciation for his environment in an attempt to prepare him for better citizenship. Course objectives are for students…

Presents a lesson plan designed to help students think about the qualities, types, and components of leadership and how these relate to the responsibilities of the US President. Includes sets of discussion questions, preceded by informational handouts, concerning, general qualities of leadership, specific leaders, and leadership in everyday life.…

Outlines three lesson plans designed to increase students' knowledge of candidates, public policy issues, and social responsibility as well as develop problem-solving skills. Different sets of activities address the issues of politicians vs. leaders; the relationship among politics, power, and conflict; identifying and prioritizing issues in an…

Provides a brief overview of the current arguments concerning campaign finance reform and congressional term limits. Discusses limits on spending, special interest contributions, "soft money," the power of incumbents, and the role of Political Action Committees. Includes a brief historical synopsis of campaign finance reform movements.…

Reviews the creation and accomplishments of the 1984 Comprehensive Crime Control Act. The legislation established the United States Sentencing Commission that works to eliminate unwarranted disparities in sentencing and has abolished parole at the federal level. Discusses how the guidelines work. (MJP)

Discusses the institutional mission and characteristics of local, state, and federal corrections facilities. Reviews the rights of prisoners and considers the interlocking components of a successful rehabilitation effort. Reports on future correctional issues such as in-house substance abuse programs and the aging of the prison population. (MJP)

This curriculum guide for secondary teachers outlines resource units in civics. Although intended for use by teachers in Louisiana, the guide can be used or adapted by educators in any state. The guide includes six sections dealing with the following topics: introduction to citizenship, national government, state and local government,…

Published in 1915, the document was intended for use by high school civics teachers as they developed programs to help students gain a better understanding of the principles of social, civic, and governmental life. Due to the dated nature of the information, the document could currently be used as a reference in educational history. Prepared by a…

This is one unit of the series described in SO 000 378. No longer can we remain in isolation. It has become necessary to cope with revolutionary forces at work at home as well as abroad in man's struggle for independence, to understand the common elements of states whether they be free or under the reigns of a dictatorship, and to determine the…

This self paced program in American Civics is for the ninth grade student who needs extra assistance, who has experienced learning difficulties in the past, and who definitely plans to enroll in a high school vocational course. The instructional materials written at an elementary reading level consist of six Learning Activity Packages (LAPs)…

This guide includes 18 units, special teaching instructions, a brief history of legal assistance, a multimedia resource guide, and a list of democratic principles which are stressed repeatedly in the units. The units employ the case approach to illustrate legal issues for class problem solving. Facts, issues and laws are chosen on the basis of…

This booklet provides step-by-step guidelines for developing a leadership-through-service-learning component for a school athletic team. It is based on a program called LIFE LINE (Leaders in Football and Education) founded in 1996 as a peer leadership group that would increase team unity and success both on and off the field. The guide summarizes…

Presents a teacher's guide for use in conjunction with the Washington, DC, public television station (WETA) four-part television series, "Vote for Me." The series provides a behind-the-scenes look at political factions, and local elections. The Teachers Guide includes program descriptions, previewing, postviewing, and discussion…

Advocates utilizing an issues-centered approach to teaching controversial political issues in social studies classrooms. Recommends augmenting this approach with the development of a democratic classroom where student views are encouraged and considered. Identifies useful techniques for this approach, including debates, simulations, discussions,…

Outlines and discusses a system for predicting the winner in presidential elections. The system consists of 13 statements favoring reelection for the incumbent party. Five or fewer false statements indicate an incumbent win. Predicts President Clinton winning the 1996 election. Includes tables showing veracity of 13 keys in historical elections.…