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1.
Spatial / Chronological Thinking
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Read a newspaper article and underline
the sources of information. See
if these sources are attributable
to an individual or if they are
vague (e.g. "a high government
official").
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Examine statistics on voter registration.
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Examine political ads to find
common components (e.g., short,
dramatic, etc.).
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Track five common economic indicators
over month's period.
v Follow
a stock over a month's period.
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Analyze ads to see what audiences
are targeted by the producers
of the product.
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Collect newspaper articles on
the disparity of income distribution
as it affects health and education.
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Read accounts of Pul]man Porters
to see how unions organize.
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2.
Examining Evidence
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Debate any bill pending in Congress
from different political perspectives.
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Investigate a variety of interest
groups' opinions on welfare reform
and write a position paper stating
your own view.
•
Hold a Congressional hearing on
NAFTA or most-favored-nation status
and represent different points
of view at the hearing.
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Simulate a labor negotiation.
•
Stage a debate between Karl Marx
and Adam Smith on the topic, "Is
Profit a Good Idea?
•
Read newspaper accounts and
speeches of both sides of the
bilingual education debate.
•
Study pro/con ballot
arguments on Indian casino gambling.
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Debate whether the Constitution
should be changed to give the
President the power to declare
war.
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3.
Diversity : Multiple Perspectives
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Read a court opinion and decide
if it is an example of judicial
activism or judicial restraint.
•
Read a court case on the 14th
Amendment and write your own interpretation
of the Constitution in regard
to the case.
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Act out the role of a City Council
member and make a decision on
requests for. permits in your
city (for example, a request for
a Nazi demonstration or a request
for a rock concert late at night).
Justify your decision on the basis
of the 1st Amendment.
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Put former President Nixon or
Johnson on trial for abuse of
executive power.
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Look at a series of graphs and
charts of socioeconomic indicators
(health care, education, unemployment,
cost of housing, per-capita income)
and write an interpretation of
what these statistics mean for
a family of four.
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4.
Historical Interpretation
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Write an essay on the meaning
and significance of "equal
protection under the law".
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Explain how Brown v.. Board of
Education impacted American society.
•
Write an essay stating which President
between 1932 and today had the
greatest impact on the United
States
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Have a roundtable discussion answering
the. question, "How significant
are political parties today?"
•
Read three accounts of an
economic event (e.g., the Great
Depression) and compare similarities
and differences.
•
Research the ruling on Lau
v. Nichols and write an essay
discussing its impact American
education.
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Do research on the political and
economic impact of the changing
population of California between
1975 and today.
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5
Determining Historical/
Geographical Significance
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Develop a plan to increase voter
registration.
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Volunteer for a local candidate.
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Participate in a mock trial,
a moot court or a "We the
people" competition.
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Learn how to fill out a voter
registration form.
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Track an issue in the media
and make a class presentation.
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Write a letter to your Congresswoman.
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Attend a school board meeting.
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Volunteer with a community agency
to improve literacy in Oakland.
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Write a personal response to
president Kennedy's statement,"
Ask not what your country can
do for you; ask what you can
do for your country."
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