Government  Module Table of Contents

Government Module Introduction and Project Ideas

Unit 1: Taking a Closer Look at Our Community
Lesson 1: Looking at Diversity in Our Community
Learners define diversity for their community, look at census data on ethnic diversity in their county, and explore how diversity affects their own lives and communication.

Lesson 2: Accessing the News about Our Community
Learners become familiar with newspaper headlines. They use a local newspaper website to increase awareness about what is happening in their community.

Lesson 3: Accessing County Services
Learners engage in a scavenger hunt using the Citizen Handbook and to find important contact information. Learners use advice column scenarios and the Handbook to locate information and write responses giving advice.

Unit 2: Making Change Happen
Lesson 1: A Case Study: The Tenants Organize
Learners use a Crossroads Café video to explore issues with apartment living and how they can take action on their own to solve a problem.

Lesson 2: Writing a Letter of Complaint
In response to the previously viewed Crossroads Café video, learners compose individual letters of complaint.

Unit 3: Examining Representative Government and Our Rights
Lesson 1: Understanding the Bill of Rights
Learners acquire basic knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and examine the meaning of the Bill of Rights. They also access information about immigrants' rights and discuss these rights.

Lesson 2: Identifying Our Representatives
Learners participate in an activity that demonstrates representative government. They work in groups to learn more about the three branches of the federal government. They search on the Internet to locate the names and contact information for their state and local representatives.