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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Be the Kiwi: Government and Politics in New Zealand

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students examine the structure of government in New Zealand. In this government lesson, students listen their instructor present information about the government in New Zealand then create diagrams that compare its structure to the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparing Constitutions

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students compare and contrast plans for government. In this government systems lesson, students compare and contrast the U.S. Constitution to the constitutions of selected countries using the provided checklist as a guide. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Perspectives on Civil Rights

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine speeches of the Civil Rights Era. For this American history lesson, students listen to speeches delivered by Martin Luther King, Jr. and John F. Kennedy. Students respond to guiding questions as they listen to the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Government Works and the Rights of the People

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders identify how to be responsible citizens. In this civics lesson, 8th graders review websites of congressional members and then create questionnaires about the responsibilities of citizens.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constitutional Issues: Separation of Powers

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students discribe the principle and the history of separation of powers.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Advice And Consent - the Senate Considers the President's Supreme Court Nominations

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students study the process and questioning for selecting a Supreme Court Justice. They examine how the decisions of the Supreme Court effect the lives of citizens. They complete worksheets as they study the material.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why or Why Not Law?

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders, in groups, study the law on the Internet.
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Lesson Plan
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Legitimacy of the Judicial Branch: Lesson Overview

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson overview from Khan Academy discusses the legitimacy of the judicial branch. This lesson is intended for students taking high school or college level American Government and Civics courses, including the AP Government course.
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: The Judicial Branch

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Students will learn about the federal and state courts and what they do. They will explore the courts' role in fairly settling disputes and administering justice, and the unique role of the U.S. Supreme Court in interpreting the U.S....
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Judicial Branch in a Flash!

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson, students learn the basics of our judicial system, including the functions of the trial court, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. They also learn how a case moves up through these levels and discover that these...
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Mini Lesson: Executive Orders

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students discover how presidents use executive orders to wield power and how the legislative and judicial branches support and challenge these measures.
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Marbury v. Madison (1803)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that affirmed the Court's power of judicial review. Young scholars learn how Congress tried to add to the Supreme Court's Constitutional power, how the Supreme Court...
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Judicial Review

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson explores the case that established the power the Supreme Court has today. Students will learn how the decision in Marbury v. Madison influenced the structure of the third branch, and how the Court's use of judicial review can...
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Extra! Extra! Supreme Court Case Makes Headlines!

For Teachers 6th - 9th
This is a project to conclude the study of the Judicial Branch of our government. The students, working in pairs, will be assigned a landmark Supreme Court case to research in a computer lab setting. They will then construct a one-page...
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Lesson Plan
Other

Usa Gov: Three Branches of Government

For Students Pre-K - 1st Standards
Lesson plans for students to learn about the three branches of government. They can find information about the origins of the Constitution, separation of powers, and details about each of the three branches.
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Separation of Powers: What's for Lunch?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students find out how the three branches of government interact with each other and how decisions about laws are made by several parts of the U.S. government.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs: How the Supreme Court Affects the Lives of Teens (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Objectives for this instructional activity include describing the structure and function of the Supreme Court, looking at important decisions, and discussing recent rulings and issues.
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Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Docs Teach: Checks and Balances in Action

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
In this activity, students will analyze documents that span the course of American history to see examples of 'checks and balances' between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches in action. Students will then match the...
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Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Docs Teach: Separation of Powers or Shared Powers

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
In this activity, students will analyze documents that illustrate the relationship between the legislative, executive and judicial branches. Using the scale in Weighing the Evidence, students will decide whether the United States...
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Lesson Plan
South Carolina Educational Television

Know It All: Government Simulation

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders will complete a government simulation where they learn about the different responsibilities of each branch of government by becoming the different branches.
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Our Courts: Constitution Day Lesson: Checks and Balances [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars learn the roles and responsibilities of each branch of government and where the checks and balances are located in this role-playing lesson. Requires Adobe Reader.
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Judges: Playing Fair

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This mini-lesson examines the role of fair and impartial courts in American life. Students learn a basic overview of the judiciary branch, including how judges are appointed and held accountable by citizens.
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Learning About Our Government

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This lesson is designed to inform students about the organization of our nation's government. Students will be introduced to the three branches of American government and the responsibilities of each. They will discuss the requirements...
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Lesson Plan
Center For Civic Education

Center for Civic Education: How Constitution Used to Organize the New Govt [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This instructional activity describes how, using the guidelines provided in the Constitution, the First Congress in April 1789 named the new president and vice president, provided funding for the new government, organized the executive...