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1.
Spatial / Chronological Thinking
" 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").
" Examine statistics on voter registration.
" Examine political ads to find common components (e.g., short, dramatic, etc.).
" Track five common economic indicators over month's period.
v Follow a stock over a month's period.
" Analyze ads to see what audiences are targeted by the producers of the product.
" Collect newspaper articles on the disparity of income distribution as it affects health and education.
" Read accounts of Pul]man Porters to see how unions organize.
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2.
Examining Evidence
" Debate any bill pending in Congress from different political perspectives.
" 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.
" 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.
" Debate whether the Constitution should be changed to give the President the power to declare war.
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3.
Diversity : Multiple Perspectives " 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.
" 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.
" Put former President Nixon or Johnson on trial for abuse of executive power.
" 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
" Write an essay on the meaning and significance of "equal protection under the law".
" 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
" 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.
" 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
" Develop a plan to increase voter registration.
" Volunteer for a local candidate.
" Participate in a mock trial, a moot court or a "We the people" competition.
" Learn how to fill out a voter registration form.
" Track an issue in the media and make a class presentation.
" Write a letter to your Congresswoman.
" Attend a school board meeting.
" Volunteer with a community agency to improve literacy in Oakland.
" 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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