In this lesson, students examine the content of and controversy surrounding Proposition 187, proposed to voters in California as a measure to discourage illegal immigration in the state. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students role play as members of a Citizen Advisory Panel that has been tasked with making recommendations about a proposed law.

In this structured discussion method, under the guidance of a facilitator, participants are encouraged to engage intellectually with challenging materials, gain insight about their own point of view and strive for a shared understanding of issues. In this conversation, students will focus their study on the "Immigration Enforcement Raids."

In this structured discussion method, under the guidance of a facilitator, participants are encouraged to engage intellectually with challenging materials, gain insight about their own point of view and strive for a shared understanding of issues. In this conversation, students will focus their study on the "Syrian Refuge Crisis and U.S. Policy."

In this lesson, students explore the development of the national park system in the United States and national attitudes and beliefs concerning conservation and preservation. Discussion questions are provided. In an associated activity, students will discuss and debate current controversial dilemmas related to the national park system.

In this Teaching with the News lesson, students will explore, debate, and evaluate multiple perspectives on U.S. foreign policy regarding drones.

In this Teaching with the News lesson, students will analyze the issues that frame the current debate on U.S. policy towards Syria. They will consider the role of the U.S. public, the president, and Congress in the decision of whether to use military force. Students will work cooperatively within groups to integrate the arguments and beliefs of the options into a persuasive, coherent presentation. Finally, they will explore, debate, and evaluate multiple perspectives on U.S. policy towards Syria through a role-play activity.

Students will play the role of White House advisers, exploring policy options and recommending the best strategy for preventing war in East Asia.

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of political issues and political parties. By investigating the compelling question about how well political parties represent individuals, students consider their own political ideology as a lens for learning about the extent to which political parties address international and domestic issues.

In this lesson, students will learn about domestic and foreign policy in the United States throughout the 1970s until today, with a focus on environmentalism. They will be addressing the challenges and opportunities that exist for the United States as we enter the 21st century as well. Students will create an interactive timeline and complete a shortened essay in order to tie the information together.

In this lesson, students review the history of turmoil in Haiti and the issue the U.S. faced in how to assist Haitian refugees during the 1990s. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students will write down their opinion on the issue and then work with a small group to brainstorm possible actions the UN and the U.S. could take regarding the Haitian refugees.

In this lesson, students acquire deeper understanding of the Constitution and its history and provide a reason for the study of the Constitution.

Students will begin this unit by building background knowledge in the government’s role in healthcare in the United States, specifically as it pertains to pregnant women. Students will conduct research efforts to learn more about global efforts to improve maternal health policies. Finally, they will become advocates themselves and will write letters to local officials. In these letters, they will outline issues they see with maternal healthcare and recommend action steps to counteract these issues.

In this lesson, students review the history of providing and/or denying asylum to refugees seeking to enter the United States. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students adopt the role of the Board of Immigration Appeals and work collaboratively to review a case study to decide whether the involved individual qualifies for asylum.

In this Teaching with the News lesson, students explore current issues in the Middle East and their relation to U.S. policy by interpreting political cartoons. There is an extension activity at the end of the lesson for advanced students.

In this lesson, students review the history of immigration quotas in the United States and the issue of how to assist Jewish refugees in the time of WWII. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students role play a meeting between President Roosevelt and members of his cabinet where they will review 5 proposals concerning the issue of aid to Jews during the war.

In this lesson, students explore the past and present issues involved with America's involvement in Afghanistan. Discussion questions are provided. In an associated activity, students will role play advisers to a U.S. senator on the Foreign Relations Committee. The advisers will advise the senator on a policy option for Afghanistan.