This teacher's guide is designed to accompany a series of sixteen 15-minute television programs titled "By the People." The program's objective is to motivate high school students to appreciate the role they can play in their nation's political process. Content of the 16 lesson plans parallels the television material and includes the following topics: politics and conflict, politics and the individual, acquiring and evaluating information, making judgments and decisions, choosing and supporting a candidate, voting, influencing political decisions, groups and the political process, and using legal assistance and government agencies. Each lesson plan identifies key concepts, student objectives, a synopsis of the related television program, vocabulary, discussion questions, and simulation and research exercises. The activities help students relate aspects of their daily lives at school and in the community to a broader political environment. (AV)