In this lesson students will learn about the Chips and Science Act, a bill designed to improve semiconductor manufacturing in the United States. Students will watch a short introductory video, read speeches in favor and against the legislation, and then have their own discussion and vote on whether the bill should pass.
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.
Election Policy Reforms
In this lesson students will gain a deeper understanding of potential reforms to improve elections in the United States. Students will consider proposals from the Freedom to Vote Act and the American Confidence in Elections Act and work in groups to select the best policies to improve the electoral process.
Debate and Discussion: Climate and Energy Policy
In this lesson students will examine a pro and con speech about real legislation (the Green New Deal) being discussed in the United States Senate. Students will summarize the speeches, consider their arguments, and use them to enhance their own knowledge of environmental policy.
Bell Ringer: The Role of Delegates in the House of Representatives
Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) discussed the differences between a Delegate to the House of Representative and members of the House of Representatives from states.
Bell Ringer: Significance of Presidents’ Day
Author and Presidential Historian Lindsay Chervinsky discussed the significance of Presidents’ Day, how Americans have remembered and memorialized departed presidents, and how Americans’ views of presidents have changed over time.
Bell Ringer: Free Market Economics
Samford University business professor Art Carden talked about Strangers with Candy, his book of essays on the benefits of free-market economics. In each of the clips he discusses the role of the free market in stimulating economic growth.
Bell Ringer: The Phillips Curve Today
Economist Ekaterina Peneva talks about the relationship between inflation and unemployment.
Bell Ringer: Milton Friedman on Inflation
A portion of the PBS series titled “Free to Choose” is highlighted in which Milton Friedman explained inflation.