Curated OER
Does My Vote Count? Teaching the Electoral College
Students comprehend the purpose, function, origin, and historical development of the electoral college. They evaluate issues of fairness and representation in the electoral process, both individually and through group discussion....
Curated OER
Race and Representation
Students consider race and representation. In this voting rights lesson, students listen to their instructor lecture on the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Georgia congressional districts, and North Carolina voting districts. Students respond...
Curated OER
District Decisions
Students review census data and examine the manner in which reapportionment and redistricting occurs. They, in groups, debate a proposed change in the way congressional districts are drawn and present their debates to the class.
DC Vote
One Kid, One Vote
Learn about why the citizens of Washington, D.C. feel unrepresented in Congress with an article about D.C voting rights. Individuals read about the movement toward congressional representation in Washington, D.C., before answering...
Curated OER
Census and Redistricting
Students learn why the census makes a difference. In this U.S. Census lesson plan, students learn about the methods and politics of redistricting as they explore their local congressional districts and debate the merits of different...
The New York Times
Should Anthony Weiner Resign?
The news regarding congressional representative Anthony D. Weiner's scandalous online communications was a hot-button topic in public media in 2011. Use this article to review the timeline of events surrounding the situation, and then...
American Constitution Society
Constitution in the Classroom: The Right to Vote
The system of checks and balances is integral to the functionality of the United States government. Learn more about the ways the three branches of the government work together—and about the limitations of their power—with an informative...
Curated OER
Fill in Your Future
Students discuss the Census 2000 slogan, "This is Your Future. Don't Leave It Blank." They design billboards for the slogan. They discover the role of the census in community planning and congressional representation.
Curated OER
Technology Integration Lesson Plan: Texas Congressional Delegates
Eighth graders research congressional delegates from state of Texas, create database including delegate profiles, write introductory paragraphs on how census affects Congressional representation, and import information into word...
Curated OER
The ABC's of Apportionment
Young scholars are introduced to the terms of apportionment and redistricting. Using a Census map, they identify the states that had the highest and lowest numbers of change during the past ten years. They examine a map of voting...
Curated OER
A Closer Look at the Lawmaking Process
Students explain how bills becomes laws, and describe the role that Congressional committees play in the lawmaking process.
Curated OER
Your Turn to Vote
Students examine the legislative process. For this Congress lesson, students consider the functions of Congressional committees as they participate in a simulation that requires them to experience the decision-making process that...
Curated OER
Raising Money for Government Services
Pupils evaluate how money is raised to pay for government services. They describe why governments need revenue to provide goods and services. They create a list of government expenditures at the federal, state and local levels. They view...
Curated OER
Citizenship and the Constitution
Students identify government officials and resources on a local, state and national level. They determine the structure of local, state, and national governments.
Curated OER
Write to a Member of Congress
Students discover how to identify and contact their local Representative. They can send an email or a regular letter to their Representative voicing their concerns. They share with the class any responses.
Curated OER
Branches of Government Worksheet 2
Looking for a quick assessment to give to your class about the branches of government in the United States? This is a multiple choice activity that could be used as a quiz. There are 9 questions, some of which are a bit dated and should...
Carolina K-12
Who the People? Representative Democracy in North Carolina and Congress
Our elected officials are supposed to represent us, but what does it mean when they aren't like us? Budding citizens explore the demographic makeup of the US Congress, the role of money in political elections, and the Citizens United...
Curated OER
Minorities in Mainstream American Society
So many people fought for Civil Rights in the United States. Read about the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and discuss what the act guarantees. Then pass out a slew of magazines and encourage them to observe how often minorities appear in...
Curated OER
The Two-Party System: Chapter 5
Guide your students' reading with this worksheet. Included are five matching and five multiple choice questions focused on aspects of the two-party system employed in the United States. Use as a quiz, guided reading questions, or homework.
State Bar of Texas
Baker v. Carr
Can the federal government override the state government to protect the citizens of the United States? The 1962 Supreme Court case Baker v. Carr outlines the issue of equal protection under the law. Scholars investigate with a short...
ProCon
Obamacare
Former President Barack Obama reformed the United States' health care system with Obamacare, but is the new legislation good for America? Scholars read a historical timeline about the passage of health care reform laws and compare United...
Curated OER
Redistricting: How Our Representatives Select Voters
Young scholars examine the practice of redistricting. In this American politics lesson, students read the provided articles "The Gerrymander," and "Reforming the Gerrymander." Young scholars respond to the provided discussion questions.
Curated OER
Getting to Know the House
High schoolers take a closer look at representative government. For this House of Representatives lesson, students discuss their local representative in Congress and research his or her responsibilities. High schoolers respond to the...
Curated OER
Play House
Young scholars take a closer look at representative government. In this House of Representatives activity, students discuss their local representative in Congress and research his or her responsibilities. Young scholars then participate...