This lesson encourages students to think about representation in a democracy and examine important legislative issues within the structure of a Senate debate. Students will work collaboratively to create, debate, and vote on a new bill regarding presidential elections.
Preparing for Pathways to Environmental Justice
Combatting the climate crisis and creating clean energy solutions go hand in hand. The Edward M. Kennedy Institute’s Environmental Pathways program challenges students to consider a path to environmental justice that will work for America’s future.
Biographies for Pathways to Citizenship (Grades 6-8)
This resource is used in conjunction with our Preparing for Pathways to Citizenship lesson plan. This version is recommended for middle grade students (grades 6-8).
Biographies for Pathways to Citizenship (Grades 4-6)
This resource is used in conjunction with our Preparing for Pathways to Citizenship Lesson. This version is designed for younger students in grades 4-6.
Technology Reform Policy Research
In this lesson students will research policy proposals related to technology reform. Students will take part in a jig-saw style activity- researching a policy related to data privacy, artificial intelligence, or social media, gaining a deep understanding of their group’s policy, and presenting their policy to the of the class.
Technology Policy Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will take part in a jig-saw style activity where they will research a policy related to data privacy, artificial intelligence, or social media, gain a deep understanding of that policy, present it to the rest of the class, and complete a short debrief.
Election Policy Reforms – Jig-saw
Students will take part in a jig-saw style activity where they will research an election policy proposal, gain a deep understanding of their group’s policy, present their policy to the rest of the class, and finish with a short debrief to cement their learning on different election policies.
Election Reform: Debate and Discussion
In this lesson students will read a pro and con speech about real voting rights legislation (the Freedom to Vote Act) being discussed in the United States Senate. Students will summarize the speeches, consider their arguments, and use them to enhance their own knowledge on election policy.
Being a Senator: Election Reform
In this lesson, students will have an opportunity to learn about what it means to be a United States senator. Students will research real United States senators, consider their various interests, and make decisions about how their senator would vote on real issues facing the country.
Climate Policy Research
Students will take part in a jig-saw style activity where they will research a climate policy proposal, gain a deep understanding of their group’s policy, present their policy to the rest of the class, and finish with a short debrief to cement their learning on various climate policies.