High School Social Studies Lesson Plans

1. Role of Government- The intent of this activity is to introduce students to the meaning of the word "government." The students will examine why society needs a government to exist.
2. Search & Seizure Laws- The students will observe first hand a simulation of what the New Jersey vs. T.L.O. (1985) court case was about. This allows students the chance to see how the case developed, and how it may affect them today.
3. Sectionalism in the Early US- The purpose of this activity is to aid the students in putting themselves into a situation that demands a change of attitude from the 1990's to the early 1800's.
4. Separation of Powers- The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand the concept of the three branches of government.

1. Shoplifting Simulation- To further student's knowledge concerning juvenile justice, and to make them aware of the seriousness of the crime of shoplifting.
2. States & Capitals- To help the students learn in cooperative way, the geographic locations of each state of the United States.
3. Supreme Court Decisions and Their Effect On Us- The purpose of this activity is to help students understand how Supreme Court decisions affect all of us and what the Supreme Court bases its decisions on.
4. Supreme Court Decisions on Freedom of Religion- The wide range of cases help students to understand that this "freedom" has limits and bounds and is constantly under attack.
5. Supreme Court Rulings- In our changing society it is important for students to be knowledgeable concerning the potential flow of Supreme Court decisions by the high court.
6. Symbolic Speech- This lesson is to show students the role of the Supreme Court in respect to interpreting the law.
7. Teaching Basic Banking Principles- An understanding of banking is important for our students as we face the monetary situation of the coming years. This lesson is a good tool for getting them started.
8. The Declaration Versus The Communist Manifesto- In this activity a student will be challenged to see if he or she can discern the difference between the values found in the Declaration of Independence (and consequently, is a part of our system) and those of the Communist Manifesto.
9. The Founding Fathers- To lay the groundwork for understanding the people who were the first colonists and the government they left behind.
10. The Identification, Mapping, and Personification of Countries Involved in World War II- The floor map gives students a different perspective of geography and an opportunity to creatively demonstrate the knowledge they have gained. It reinforce traditional map work and builds confidence.
11. The Nineteenth Amendment- This activity provides specific knowledge about Susan B. Anthony and also about the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. The activity stimulates analytical thinking skills and class discussion by learning how different groups of people received the right to vote before women received this right.
12. The Presidential Campaign Game- The purpose of this political game is to give the students experience in working within the political process.
13. The Search for a Meaningful Dialectic- The primary purpose of this activity is to introduce each student to a framework of political and social values which may be used to evaluate the validity of any public policy debate, bill, law, etc.
14. The Stock Market- The purpose of this activity is to help students to have at least a simple understanding of the stock market, and also see how many factors can influence the market.
15. The Stock Market Game- The purpose of this activity is to give students a working knowlege and vocabualry of the stock market.
16. The US Constitution Power Grab Game- To encourage students to comprehend these points of emphasis and relate them to the study of the three branches of our federal government.
17. The Voting Game- Students will be able to classify political parties between the radical-conservative range. Students will identify their interests with a political party.
18. The Holocaust- The student will learn about prejudice, racism, and stereotyping in any society.
19. The Middle East- Following the successful completion of the introductory activity on the Middle East, 12th graders will be able to explain the different Middle East countries and their relationships with each other, with 100% accuracy.
20. The New Deal- The student will analyze how the Great Depression affected children.
21. The Pottery Project- Begin lesson by assigning a different Native American culture region to each group in your class. The group will then decorate a clay pot to reflect the culture of their assigned region. While paint is the most fun, colored pencils work best.
22. The Rain Forest- This project is long term and the culmination is the creation of a "Tropical Rain Forest" in the classroom. We had the students do research on a rain forest and then re-created it.
23. The Ripple of Society- Given a list of categories students will be able to come up with a minimum of twelve things that have been integrated into our culture and explain how they have changed the culture.
24. The Sistine Chapel Painting Project- I have students watch "The Agony and The Ecstasy", or you could read it with an upper level class, to get an idea of what Michaelangleo's life was like. The kids enjoy the love/hate relationship portrayed between Pope Julius and Michaelangelo. After viewing the movie, I introduce the project, explaining that the students will replicate chosen panels of the ceiling.
25. The Treasure Seekers- Students will discuss the connection between exploring and understanding the world. Students will explain the importance of organizations supporting scientists.
26. To Be or Not to Be Armed- The purpose of this activity (to be used in a secondary governments class) is to begin the process of teaching students communication and thinking skills and the procedures necessary to resolve problems.
27. Topical Discussions- The purpose of this activity is to encourage students to share their opinions on controversial topics and to be able to state why they hold those particular beliefs.
28. Town Meeting: Direct Representation- Students are to use discussion, negotiation, and political skill to make a group decision.
29. Trading with China- Research to learn about China's human rights record, labor unions and international trade as they relate to the China trade bill.
30. Treasures and Fingerprints- Fingerprints, getting to know the people in your school and community.
31. Voting a Privilege Through Registration- Students in the classroom will be asked to help prepare the student body for voter registration by making posters and working through rosters to determine who has voted and who has not.
32. We Live In An International Community- The purpose of this activity is to show that students are daily involved in the world of international trade and the world economic picture.
33. Who Gets the Job?- The purpose of this lesson is for students to understand that even though Senate approval is needed for presidential Cabinet appointments, there are no qualifications or standards set for each position.
34. Why a Mock Trial?- While learning the details of trial process and procedures, students are also developing a number of critical skills that are universally necessary.
35. World War II- The importance of this lesson will help the students later understand the affects of World War II on the World as a whole.