What kind of activites can I create for students studying U.S. Government?

Question

Any age from elementary thru middle to high school (but let me know which grade level it should be for). Some fun activities to be used in group work or centers, interactive, hands on and creative. Something to get them all excited and interested in the subject.

Answer 1

In my government class in high school we had a mock trial. That was cool. We also had to design our own country: currency, laws etc. It certainly taught us a lot about the difficulties of implementation of these systems.

Answer 2

US Government...hmmm... I'd say something along the lines of splitting them up into groups like US Senate, House of Representatives, etc. Then give them tasks going by what the actual positions would be doing, making sure that they would be able to do it, since they arent REALLY people in those positions. At the end, have someone from each group present an oral of what they did and then after each thing, tell them how their set-up of government would come out. (high school. 9th or 10th grade, just the honors classes)

Answer 3

When I was in 3rd grade my teacher split the class into about 4 teams, and we played Jeopardy with categories such as the Constitution, the Senate, each branch of government, etc. Teams competed against each other for the points, and they have to phrase there answer like a question, just like on Jeopardy. There are also Daily Doubles. I've also been in middle school classes where we've played this game, and it gets much more competitive.

Answer 4

For the littlest ones, make them do things like voting. And let them reap the benefits. For example: Does the teacher give everyone 1 piece of candy each, right now? Or would you rather get 2 pieces each after 30 minutes, if you remember to ask for them? Middle schoolers should learn to analyze issues: Why should the Federal government get to decide to build more bombs or help homeless people? Why can't each city or state decide for itself? High schoolers should get involved in the issues, not just analyze them: Give each one a scrap of paper that says $1 billion. Ask them how they would spend that money, for the city or the county -- better roads, more hospitals, etc. And then have them research and see how much money the city or county actually spent on each of those projects and why.

Answer 5

In my high school class we did a lot of group discussions. She would set up an argument and we could just say what we felt about it. We also created trails, and role play activity's to help us get into them more. I felt I had a better understanding because it was conducted in a fun and active environment. Believe me when arguing they were never boring. I would suggest this more for high shool level.

Answer 6

One of my teachers did this with me in sixth grade but i would still think it would be fun now (8th grade) We got into groups of three and we had to creat a boardgame based on the silk route (it would work for anything though) and we had to have it so that when you landed on spots there was a triva question. We did it on big pieces of poster board and we made them 3D. When we were all done we got to go around the room and play each other's games. I learned alot and it was fun. I would reccomend doing this!

Answer 7

You could do several things. No matter what age group, you could divide the class into the groups of government through out the year i.e. three branches, Dem. vs. Rep., electoral college, etc.

Answer 8

try putting them into groups and having them make a political party, and then they present their party to the class and then the class votes on whatever political party (i did this in 9th grade)

Answer 9

Mock congressional hearings for teens. L

Answer 10

Depends on what aspect. Here is a good site to start.