This manual has been designed by the Bureau of Continuing Education Curriculum Development of the New York State Department of Education to provide teachers with suggested lesson plans in practical government. Each lesson contains background materials for the teacher, offering specific information on the subject of the lesson plans, aims of the lesson, development of understandings, and two student worksheets. As the main component of a packet of instructional materials, (including filmstrips and flipcharts), this publication constitutes the core of materials to use with students in adult basic education. Free copies of the document are available to New York State school personnel when ordered through a school administrator from the Publications Distribution Unit, State Education Building, Albany, New York 12224. (author/ly)