Test Your Knowledge of U.S. Government
Civics, Government, U.S. History
Post columnist Dana Milbank suggested that potential House and Senate candidates should take the USCIS naturalization test to check their knowledge of the government they wish to lead. This was in response to Sen.-elect Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) listing the three branches of U.S. government as “the House, the Senate and the executive.”
See how your students do on the 2021 U.S. Citizenship Test Questions practice tests.
What Role Does the First Lady Play?
Ethics, Social Studies, U.S. History
From Martha Washington to Florence Harding, from Eleanor Roosevelt to Betty Ford, from Lady Bird Johnson to Jill Biden, what did the public expect of the first lady? And what did these women want for their public roles? They have been hostesses, advisers and policy advocates. Some have owned businesses, held jobs and earned advanced degrees.
Ask students to select a former first lady (or the first gentleman if interested in the role that Vice President Kamala Harris’s husband will play). Place this individual within the context of her era, her personal interests and accomplishments, and how she performed her role as first lady.
Teachers may wish to refer to the list of works about first ladies. The White House website has a section on First Ladies and The White House Historical Association provides biographies and portraits of first ladies and those who assumed those roles.
Debate America’s Divisions
Debate, Government, Journalism, Social Studies, U.S. History
Before the election of Donald Trump discussion of America’s economic, racial, criminal justice and racial divisions took place. The four years of his term in office and 2019 campaign rallies and tweets heightened the tensions. Two opinion pieces are provided to give a common starting point for discussion and debate: “After a year of pandemic and protest, and a big election, America is as divided as ever” and “America isn’t ‘hopelessly divided.’ It only looks that way because of our Constitution.”
Before giving students the Post columnists’ pieces to read, teachers might review the terms listed below in In the Know section. These might be given to students as a vocabulary list a week before to define and use in their own sentences. Evaluate the Political Reckoning, a guide to reading, is also provided.
Debate teachers can work with students to form the question(s) and positions.
After the events that took place on the Ellipse and at the U.S. Capitol, discussion and debate may be expanded to include the points of view expressed.
Is This a Time for Martial Law?
Government, Social Studies, U.S. History
When supporters of President Trump called for him to declare martial law, The Post’s Retropolis writer, Gillian Brockell dug into the history books to fact check Michael Flynn’s statement that, “Martial law has been instituted 64 times.” Give students “Of the 68 times martial law has been declared, few were by U.S. presidents.” Be sure students understand the definition of “martial law.”
Concede or Challenge Election Results?
Civics, Government, Social Studies, U.S. History
President Donald Trump refused to concede that he had lost the election of 2020. The law allows for challenges to election results. Before discussing 2020 steps taken to challenge the vote, teachers might divide students in five groups to research the elections of 1824, 1876, 1888, 1960 an 2000 — who were the candidates, what were the circumstances, where did they take place and what were the results?
Give students Challenge to Election Results. Read through the challenges and do the research to find the actions and responses to the challenges. Teachers might use this as an exercise in using different sources: What words, what emphases, what sources are included in reporting?
