To Limit or Not to Limit?: That Is The Government's Question

In this lesson, students learn about and explore the characteristics of limited and unlimited governments, both historical and contemporary. Students engage in a Fiction in the Facts activity in which they identify two true statements and one false statement about governments, and they read an article about government power while completing a T-chart. Students then go on a Google Earth tour and read about governments in several countries. Students read quotes about governmental power and participate in a Magnetic Statements activity. Students wrap up the lesson by creating a Venn diagram to demonstrate their understanding of limited and unlimited governments.

Grade(s) Subject Time Frame Duration Course Modality
9th - 12th Social Studies 45 - 90 Minutes 1 - 2 Class Periods U.S. Government

Face-To-Face

Standards

Oklahoma Academic Standards (Social Studies: United States Government (9th through 12th grade))

Essential Question

What are limited and unlimited governments? 
Which countries have limited governments, and which countries have unlimited governments?

5E Snapshot:

1. Engage

Students read statements about government and determine which are true and which are false.

2. Explore

Students read an article about characteristics of unlimited and limited governments and complete a T-chart as they read. 

3. Explain

Students engage in a Google Earth tour to compare countries around the world and read biographies about the countries’ governments. They determine whether each country has a limited government or an unlimited government. 

4. Extend

Students analyze quotes about governments, and then choose quotes they find most and least appealing and explain why. 

5. Evaluate

Students create a Venn diagram to compare the characteristics of limited and unlimited governments. 

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