For an explanation of the themes of the standards, click here . Many links are appropriate to several themes and may be listed in each category they relate to. Click a theme to see related links. Subscribe to these electronic mailing lists for social studies educators. The National Conference of State Legislatures has now posted online lesson plans for teachers to use for their America's Legislators Back to School Week activities.
Plans are available for elementary school, middle school and high school.
The lesson plans outline for students the importance of representative democracy, the message that their voice counts and the valid role of special interest groups in the process. Teachers are invited to download the lesson plans and use them as appropriate in their classrooms. NCSL invites teachers to fill out an evaluation of the lesson plans and the Back to School program. The electronic evaluation form will be available online soon. NCSL considered the appropriateness of proceeding with America's Legislators Back to School Week in light of the tragic attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.