uMinor Parties and Candidates

Author: Janice Koenig

What You’ll Need: Internet access, Inspiration, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Publisher, and Movie Maker (or equivalent multimedia program)

This WebQuest directs students to create minor political parties. The students will create a logo, motto, platform, fictional candidate, commercial, and brochure representing their party.

Length of Project: 4 Weeks

http://coe.west.asu.edu/students/jkoenig/webquest/Elections/index.htm

uStudents United for Humanity

Author: Carolyn O Burleson

What You’ll Need: Internet Access, access to InfoNation database, and Microsoft PowerPoint

This WebQuest directs students to research the United Nations goals, structure and function as well as its position on human rights. The students will use this as a model to form an organization within the classroom that recognizes human dignity and fosters human rights. They will work in teams to develop and present a plan for developing a school culture united for humanity.

Length of Project: 2-3 Weeks

http://drb.lifestreamcenter.net/Lessons/studentsunited/index.htm

NOTE: There is a link to a United Nations virtual field trip in the Teacher Section of the WebQuest. Click here to directly link to the virtual field trip. http://drb.lifestreamcenter.net/Lessons/studentsunited/index.htm

uSocial Security: A New Challenge for the 21^st Century

Author: Carolyn O Burleson

What You’ll Need: Internet Access, access to Wikipedia, and Word Processing Software (Such as Microsoft Word)

Students will examine the importance of American Social Security System and its implications for their own future, and engage in creative problem solving to answer the question "How should the American Social Security System be structured to provide for its elders and disabled citizens?"

Students will write letters to elected officials to let their voices be heard on the issue of how to reform the Social Security System.

Length of Project: 2-3 Weeks

http://drb.lifestreamcenter.net/Lessons/soc_sec/index.htm

uRock the Vote

Author: Sandee Hallum-Torres

What You’ll Need: Internet access, Inspiration, Word Processing Software (Such as Microsoft Word), and camcorder and/or multimedia software.

Students will be directed to identify the current social/political issues that are connected to Bill of Rights, select an issue that is related to the interpretation of the Bill of Rights, investigate opposing points of view and formulate a position on the issue, and produce a television ad that takes a stand on the selected issue and encourages other young people to get involved.

Length of Project: 3 Weeks

http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/lewis/rock/

uEquality for All?

Author: Debra L. Delavan

What You’ll Need: Internet Access, access to SIRS Researcher, Word Processing Software (Such as Microsoft Word), Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Publisher

Students will be directed to explore the Internet for information about past struggles for basic rights as well as describe the injustice that your movement wanted/s to change. Students will research a current event that illustrates how the rights of a group were violated. They will write and creatively present an action plan for how this group can overcome this injustice and how different members of the community can have different levels of impact on the situation.

Length of Project: 2 Weeks

http://cte.jhu.edu/techacademy/fellows/delavan/webquest/dldindex.html#task

uLook Who’s Footing the Bill!

Author: Tom March

What You’ll Need: Internet access, java enabled on your browser for Budget Explorer (link provided), Thesis Maker (link provided), and Word Processing Software (Such as Microsoft Word)

Students will be directed to create a mock National Budget. They will use Budget Explorer, a program that calculates the amount of money to be spent. They will work as a group to come up with ideas as to how they money would be best spent. Once they have completed their budget, the students will create a persuasive essay on why they feel their budget is best for the United States. They will then choose to send their essay to a government leader such as a Congressmen, Governor, Representative, etc.

Length of Project: 3-4 Weeks

http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/democracy/debtquest.html