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Web Resources Supporting the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum
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Social Studies - Government
Goal 1 Political Systems | Goal 2 Peoples of the Nations and the World |Goal 3 Geography |Goal 4 Economics | Learning Objects |
GOAL 1
Political Systems |
| The student will demonstrate an understanding of the historical development and current status of principles, institutions, and processes of political systems. |
Expectation 1.1
The student will demonstrate understanding of the structure and functions of government and politics in the United States. |
Indicator 1.1.1
The student will analyze historic documents to determine the basic principles of United States government and apply them to real-world situations. Assessment Limits
Indicator 1.1.2
The student will evaluate how the principles of government assist or impede the functioning of government. Assessment Limits
Indicator 1.1.3
The student will evaluate roles and policies the government has assumed regarding public issues. Assessment Limits
Indicator 1.1.4
The student will explain roles and analyze strategies individuals or groups may use to initiate change in governmental policy and institutions. Assessment Limits
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SIRS Government Reporter - An online database that features links to government documents, country profiles, federal agencies, the U.S. Congress, the Supreme Court and more. This is a convenient "one-stop" resource to begin your research on all sorts of government related issues. (Students will need username and password to access from home.)
Library of Congress: American Memory - A Searchable Gateway to historic maps, photos, documents, audio and video. (Auditory/Visual)
American Rhetoric - A searchable index to a database of 5000+ full text, audio and video (streaming) versions of public speeches, sermons, legal proceedings, lectures, debates, interviews, other recorded media events. (Auditory/Visual)
National Constitution Center: Interactive Constitution - Students can search the Constitution and find relevant passages and explanations. Discover how the Constitution relates to more than 300 topics, from civil rights to school prayer, including Supreme Court decisions. (Interactive)
Centuries of Citizenship: A Constitutional Timeline - an online experience highlighting some of the key dates and events that reveal our constitutional history. Timeline entries tell the evolving story of the U.S. Constitution and the continuing role that it plays in our lives. Students can browse through a collection of stories and headlines -- annotated by images, audio and video clips and interactive content. (Auditory/Visual/Tactile/Interactive)
Roadmap to the U.S. Constitution - A ThinkQuest that provides students with knowledge about the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. The site includes information about origins, creation, issues, and cases.
Lii.org: Political Parties - An alphabetical index of the major and minor political parties of the United States from anarchism to socialism. Each listing links to additional resources detailing the origins and background of that political party.
The United States: CIA World Factbook - The World Factbook is prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency for the use of US Government officials. The Factbook provides historical, political, cultural, and economic information on all the countries of the world. Printable maps and flags are provided. The Factbook is in the public domain and may be copied freely.
Ben's Guide: 9-12 - Provides information about the United States Government including historical documents, branches of government, how laws are made, election process and citizenship.
First Gov - the award-winning gateway to United States Government information from the federal government, local and tribal governments and to foreign nations around the world. Spanish-language web port available too!
GPO (Government Printing Office) - Official information from all three branches of the Federal Government.
Open Secrets: Center for Responsive Politics - Your information about money and politics.
FactCheck - a nonpartisan, nonprofit, "consumer advocate" for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. The mission of this site is to monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases.
This Nation - a repository of basic information, resources and historical documents related to American Government and Politics. |
Expectation 1.2
The student will evaluate how the United States government has maintained a balance between protecting rights and maintaining order. |
Indicator 1.2.1
The student will analyze the impact of landmark Supreme Court decisions on governmental powers, rights, and responsibilities of citizens in our changing society. Assessment Limit
Indicator 1.2.2
The student will analyze legislation designed to protect the rights of individuals and groups and to promote equity in American society. Assessment Limits
Indicator 1.2.3
The student will evaluate the impact of governmental decisions and actions that have affected the rights of individuals and groups in American society and/or have affected maintaining order and/or safety. Assessment Limits
Indicator 1.2.4
The student will evaluate the principle of due process Assessment Limits
Indicator 1.2.5
The student will analyze elements, proceedings, and decisions related to criminal and civil law. Assessment Limits
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SIRS Government Reporter - An online database that features links to government documents, country profiles, federal agencies, the U.S. Congress, the Supreme Court and more. This is a great place to begin your research on all sorts of government related issues.
Legal Information Institute: Supreme Court Collection - This site provides all opinions of the United States Supreme Court handed down since 1992, together with over 600 earlier decisions selected for their historic importance, over a decade of opinions of the New York Court of Appeals, and the full United States Code.
THOMAS - Legislative Information on the Internet (US Library of Congress) - Searching for bills or legislation currently in session or already passed? THOMAS, from the Library of Congress, brings you the most current and historic legislative information online. The site is an excellent resource for legal research.
OYEZ - U.S. Supreme Court multimedia. The OYEZ Project provides access to more than 2000 hours of Supreme Court audio. Not only can students listen to court arguments and learn about all the Justices, they can enjoy a virtual tour of the Supreme Court while doing so! (Auditory/Visual/Tactile)
State and Local Government On the Net - A Web directory that provides convenient one-stop access to the Web sites of thousands of state agencies and city and county governments. Also included are Web sites of state government constitutional officers, state legislatures, state judiciaries and departments across ALL states.
Exploring Constitutional Law - This site explores some of the great issues and controversies that surround our Nation's founding document. Students will also learn how the Supreme Court functions, its history and current cases. There's even an image gallery, a Supreme Court Humor page, and a trivia game. (Visual/Kinesthetic)
Landmark Supreme Court Cases - A full range of resources and activities to support the teaching of landmark Supreme Court cases, helping students explore the key issues of each case.
Constitutional Rights Foundation - The mission of CRF is to instill in our nation's youth a deeper understanding of citizenship through values expressed in our Constitution and its Bill of Rights and to educate young people to become active and responsible
participants in our society. Topics include: citizenship, school violence, Bill of Rights in action, and This Month in History. (Online lesson plans included)
Due Process Rights of Students - The cases on this page all concern the due process rights of students.
FindLaw: Criminal Law - The Criminal Law section provides you with information and resources to help you with your criminal law issue.
ACLU - This site offers the American Civil Liberties Union's take on the Bill of Rights. It features a brief history and explanations of the bill's ramifications in today's society.
National Archives: Charters of Freedom - This exhibit features images, a transcription, and articles about the U.S. Bill of Rights. Students will read about the basic freedoms and rights granted to all Americans by the U.S. Constitution. (Visual)
Fun Stuff:
CourtTV - Gives students an inside look at the justice system in real time. Students can view videos of actual trials, hear opening and closing arguments, and hear verdicts being read.
LawBuzz.com - AwesomeStories.com uniquely uses the Internet to link its story content to hundreds of thousands of the world's best on-line primary sources. Enjoy an interactive learning experience as you see relevant maps, pictures, artifacts, manuscripts and documents, in context, within each story. (Visual)
HarpWeek - Political Cartoons - 1766 - 1876 (Visual)
HarpWeek - Election Cartoons - 1860 - 1912 (Visual)
Political Cartoons - by Pulitzer Prize Winner Anne Telnaes (Auditory/Visual)
It's No Laughing Matter - learning activity by the Library of Congress teaching the analysis of political cartoons with a list of further resources.
Baldy Editorial Cartoons: Digital Library of Georgia - The Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies database of approximately 2,500 political and editorial cartoons. (Visual)
Political Cartoon Analysis - Students are presented a set of questions to guide them toward an in depth analysis cartoons related to six landmark Supreme Court decisions. (Visual)
Historical Newspapers: 1850 - 2002 - Students can search the complete New York Times, Washington Post, and several other newspapers for articles, editorials, advertisements, and more. This is a great source for political/editorial cartoons. (Students will need username and password to access from home.) |
GOAL 2
Peoples of the Nations and the World |
| The student will demonstrate an understanding of the history, diversity, and commonality of the peoples of the nation and world, the reality of human interdependence, and the need for global cooperation, through a perspective that is both historical and multicultural. |
Expectation 2.1
The student will evaluate the interdependent relationship of United States politics and government to world affairs. |
Indicator 2.1.1
The student will analyze economic, political, social issues and their affect on foreign policies of the United States. Assessment Limits
Indicator 2.1.2
The student will evaluate the effectiveness of international alliances and organizations from the perspective of the United States. Assessment Limits |
United Nations Cyber School Bus - Cyberschoolbus has been selected by ISTE author James Lerman as one of the best web sites for teachers on the Internet! Students can compare country data, view country statistics, and learn all about the history and role of the UN. (Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, Arabic languages available)
By The People: A National Conversation About America in the World - The mission of By the People is to energize and increase citizen engagement in the nation's foreign policy dialogue and to make global concerns locally relevant. Audio/Video clips and lesson plans for teachers. (Auditory/Visual)
Council on Foreign Relations - This site is dedicated to producing and disseminating ideas so that all citizens can better understand foreign policy choices facing the United States and world governments. Topics covered include: terrorism, economics & trade, homeland security, energy, human rights, social & culture, peace & conflict, science & technology, and U.S. policy & politics.
International Government Organizations
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Expectation 2.2
The student will compare and evaluate the effectiveness of the United States system of government and various other political systems. |
Indicator 2.2.1
The student will analyze advantages and disadvantages of various types of governments throughout the world. Assessment Limits |
Political Systems - This site is designed to aid students in reviewing political systems and the concept of citizenship throughout history. In addition, students may test their knowledge of the material presented here by accessing multiple-choice questions and by playing Jeopardy games.
CultureGrams - Explore the cultures of over 182 countries of the world through reports, maps, charts, images, and statistics. Students can create comparison graphs, view images, convert currency, and hear national anthems. Topics to explore include: Land & climate, history, education, government, economy, education, health, and much more. (Students will need username and password to access from home.)
CIA World Factbook - The World Factbook is prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency for the use of US Government officials. The Factbook provides historical, political, cultural, and economic information on all the countries of the world. Printable maps and flags are provided. The Factbook is in the public domain and may be copied freely.
Index Mundi - A searchable online database of country profiles with detailed information compiled from multiple sources. Countries are organized by region. |
GOAL 3
Geography |
| The student will demonstrate an understanding of geographic concepts and processes to examine the role of culture, technology, and the environment in the location and distribution of human activities throughout history |
Expectation 3.1
The student will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of cultural and physical geographic factors in the development of government policy.
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Indicator 3.1.1
The student will evaluate demographic factors related to political participation, public policy and government policies. Assessment Limits
Indicator 3.1.2
The student will evaluate the role of government in addressing land use and other environmental issues. Assessment Limits
Indicator 3.1.3
The student will analyze the roles and relationships of regions on the formation and implementation of government policy. Assessment Limits
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Social Statistics Briefing Room - This Web site provides easy access to current Federal social statistics including: crime, economics, health, education, and demographics.
U.S. Census Bureau: Statistical Abstract of the United States - A collection of statistics on social and economic conditions in the United States.
U.S. Census Bureau: Minority Links - Provides information regarding social and economic characteristics of minority populations in the U.S. including: voting and registration data, poverty, employment, income, and occupations.
CIRCLE: The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement - promotes research on the civic and political engagement of Americans between the ages of 15 and 25.
National Atlas: Map Maker - Students can create their own individualized maps according to a wide variety of statistics such as land use, water use, economics, race, crime, environment, history, and much more. |
GOAL 4
Economics |
| The student will demonstrate an understanding of the historical development and current status of economic principles, institutions, and processes needed to be effective citizens, consumers, and workers. |
Expectation 4.1
The student will demonstrate an understanding of economic principles, institutions, and processes required to formulate government policy. |
Indicator 4.1.1
The student will evaluate how governments affect the answers to the basic economic questions of what to produce, how to produce, and for whom to produce. Assessment Limits
Indicator 4.1.2
The student will utilize the principles of economic costs and benefits and opportunity cost to analyze the effectiveness of government policy in achieving socioeconomic goals. Assessment Limits
Indicator 4.1.3
The student will examine regulatory agencies and their social, economic, and political impact on the country, a region, or on/within a state. Assessment Limits
Indicator 4.1.4
The student will evaluate the effectiveness of current monetary and fiscal policy on promoting full employment, price stability, and economic performance. Assessment Limits
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Inequality of Wealth and Income Distribution - This page looks at increasing worldwide economic inequality. These materials consider the consequences of income inequality as well as the increasing concentration of wealth both within and between nations.
Global Policy Forum: Social and Economic Policy - This resource focuses on global social and economic policy to promote a more equitable distribution of the world’s resources. GPF organizes international conferences on social and economic policy matters. Topics include: globalization, poverty & debt, trade & development, world hunger, global injustice and inequality, the environment, U.S. economic crisis, and more. (charts and tables)
EconomicExpert.com - The primary focus of this Web site is to encourage students to become more aware of various cultures and the global environment in which we live and how the many, varied social, political and economic forces can affect the global economy. Students will, upon examining trade, culture, and environmental issues, recognize the impact the globalization debate has upon these areas, both at the surface and in the interior. |
Learning Objects
Learning objects are interactive, reusable units of instruction for e-learning.
Learning Objects :
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