Often, middle and high school students have been conditioned to associate
government with the current political arena, but the study of government
incorporates so much more. Teaching middle and high school students about
government includes the teaching the inner-workings of the judicial,
legislative, and executive branches, but also geographical studies, and general
U.S. and World History. Current events are always relevant and educational, and
delving deeper into the history of our government can provide your students
with a vital and inciting foundation to encourage learning about government.
Give your class a great educational foundation to government with these 7
awesome books for middle and high school government students. By incorporating attention-grabbing, historically accurate books, with current events and political study, you
encourage learning at a deeper level and your students will have the
opportunity to combine learning with engagement. Using these 7 awesome books
for teaching government, your lesson plans will elevate from adequate to
elegant!
7 Awesome Books for Middle and High School Students
1.
Americanah – By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,
Americanah follows two young lovers as they escape Nigeria and are separated,
one off to America and the other to London. Ifemelu faces racial
challenges while pursuing an American education and Obinze struggles to survive
in England, both returning to Nigeria once a political shift occurs.
Americanah – By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,
Americanah follows two young lovers as they escape Nigeria and are separated,
one off to America and the other to London. Ifemelu faces racial
challenges while pursuing an American education and Obinze struggles to survive
in England, both returning to Nigeria once a political shift occurs.
2.
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness – Author Michelle Alexander examines racial profiling and
targeting and illuminates the sheer number of black men behind bars. By translating race
into a criminal justice issue, America is able to mask the lack of racial progress
since Jim Crow laws were decimated.
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness – Author Michelle Alexander examines racial profiling and
targeting and illuminates the sheer number of black men behind bars. By translating race
into a criminal justice issue, America is able to mask the lack of racial progress
since Jim Crow laws were decimated.
BONUS! After reading The New Jim Crow, split students into two groups. Have half of the students collaborate on the current criminal justice and politics regarding racial profiling. Have the others study racial profiling around the time of Jim Crow. Have students search for comparisons and disparities, using a class-wide Venn Diagram to draw parallels.
3.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
– Part-time Indian Junior challenges his destiny on the Indian reservation by
attending school in an all-white school, exploring his dreams through
adolescence and his teen years. Sherman Alexie’s words coupled with
illustrations by Ellen Forney, this read presents an emotional take on Native
American living.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
– Part-time Indian Junior challenges his destiny on the Indian reservation by
attending school in an all-white school, exploring his dreams through
adolescence and his teen years. Sherman Alexie’s words coupled with
illustrations by Ellen Forney, this read presents an emotional take on Native
American living.
BONUS! Let students research life on an Indian reservation, including the accounts told from Alexie’s novel, photos from online sources like the Journal, and other media that may support their research. Have them share whether they would have enjoyed life on the reservation, what things they may have had to forgo if living on a reservation, and draw parallels to their own lives.
4.
Democracy Remixed: Black Youth and the Future of American Politics (Transgressing Boundaries: Studies in Black Politics and Black Communities) – Democracy Remixed, by Cathy J. Cohen, analyzes survey
results from the Black Youth Project, exploring political ramifications of
black youth and their experiences.
Democracy Remixed: Black Youth and the Future of American Politics (Transgressing Boundaries: Studies in Black Politics and Black Communities) – Democracy Remixed, by Cathy J. Cohen, analyzes survey
results from the Black Youth Project, exploring political ramifications of
black youth and their experiences.
5.
Sleeping Giant: The Untapped Economic and Political Power of America’s New Working Class – By Tamara Draut, Sleeping
Giant explores the political power held by the today’s working class. Draut
combines personal accounts, expert analysis, and in-depth studies to discuss
the working class, racial and gender exclusion, and today’s Fight for $15
minimum wage battle.
Sleeping Giant: The Untapped Economic and Political Power of America’s New Working Class – By Tamara Draut, Sleeping
Giant explores the political power held by the today’s working class. Draut
combines personal accounts, expert analysis, and in-depth studies to discuss
the working class, racial and gender exclusion, and today’s Fight for $15
minimum wage battle.
BONUS! Debate activity! Have students take opposing positions on the Fight for $15 minimum wage battle. Hold a classroom debate, discussing pros and cons of raising minimum wage in America.
6.
Affluence and Influence: Economic Inequality and Political Power in America – Martin Gilens criticizes America’s political
climate and designation as a democratic country as it only patronizes the
opinions and desires of its upper 1%. Gilens discusses and analyzes policy
changes and draws shocking and disparaging conclusions across socioeconomic
lines.
Affluence and Influence: Economic Inequality and Political Power in America – Martin Gilens criticizes America’s political
climate and designation as a democratic country as it only patronizes the
opinions and desires of its upper 1%. Gilens discusses and analyzes policy
changes and draws shocking and disparaging conclusions across socioeconomic
lines.
BONUS! Reflection time! Have students research some of the top one-percenters of America. Draw comparisons from Affluence and Influence, explore political decisions influenced by the 1%, and then have students reflect on political persuasion they would desire if also a part of the 1%. How does this translate into democracy?
7.
Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance – The 44th president of the United States of America,
Barack Obama, tells a personal account of his adolescence and coming of age
in America, faced with the truths of his father’s past and the racial
inequalities of his present.
Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance – The 44th president of the United States of America,
Barack Obama, tells a personal account of his adolescence and coming of age
in America, faced with the truths of his father’s past and the racial
inequalities of his present.
From a Walking Tour with the Presidents Centers Activity, to a U.S. Document Analysis Bundled Activity, many online government activities can accompany these 7 awesome books for teaching government to elevate your Middle and High School lesson plans. Introduce your students to a part-time Indian, the Black Youth Project, or our 44th president, and you’ll not only educate them on government, but instill a desire to delve deeper and learn more about the governmental workings of our nation.
Happy Teaching!
