Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this lesson plan, students will consider "The Federalist Debates: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Unit Plan
iCivics

I Civics: State and Local Governments

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Use this library of mini-lessons to teach students about the concept of federalism, from the powers held by the federal government to the powers reserved for the states. They will also learn about state government structures and...
Article
Center For Civic Education

Center for Civic Education: Relationship of State and National Legal Systems

For Students 9th - 10th
This lengthy essay describes the balance between state and federal judiciary courts and touches on independence, integration, power limits and immunities.
Article
Independence Hall Association

American Government: Financing State and Local Government

For Students 9th - 10th
Taxes are collected by federal, state, and local governments to pay for a wide variety of services. This article helps students understand where their tax money goes.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Democracy in Action. Federalism: u.s. V. the Sates

For Teachers 9th - 10th
U.S. v. the States delves into the ongoing constitutional dilemma between the federal government and individual state governments illustrated through Video on Demand, activities, readings, etc.
Unit Plan
C3 Teachers

C3 Teachers: Inquiries: Federalism

For Teachers 12th Standards
A learning module on federalism. It includes several supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance task. Topics covered include how state and federal powers are defined in...
Website
The White House

The White House: Our Government

For Students 9th - 10th
Overviews of the major elements of U.S. government, compiled and published by the White House: three branches of the federal government (executive, legislative, judicial), the Constitution, federal agencies and commissions, elections and...
Website
Other

First Gov: Official Portal of the u.s. Government

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A launching point for information about the U.S. government and its resources. One can search FirstGov by keyword or phrase, by browsing a topics list, or by selecting a federal branch (executive, legislative, or judicial). State and...
Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: World Geog: North America: The United States and Canada

For Students 9th - 10th
World Geography learning module on the United States and Canada explores similarities and differences in the population, climate, resources and evolution of the two countries.
Website
Other

Official Website of the City of Jacksonville, Fl: Government

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains the structure of the city government of Jacksonville, Florida. Includes links to the different branches and departments and to elected officials' web pages. Especially helpful is the Civics 101 link on the Duval Legislative...
Lesson Plan
Council for Economic Education

Econ Ed Link: The Role of Government: The Federal Government and Fiscal Policy

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars will visit "A Citizen's Guide to the Federal Budget" and use the federal government website to obtain information which will help them understand basic information about the budget of the United States Government for the...
Primary
This Nation

This nation.com: Executive Order 13132 of August 4, 1999

For Students 9th - 10th
This Executive Order signed by President Bill Clinton on 8/4/99 is an order that describes the balance between state and federal governments, as warranted by the Framers of the Constitution and federalism.
Activity
Cato Institute

Cato Institute: Congress, the Courts, and the Constitution [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
An analysis of the conflicting views on the fundamental role of the government of the United States, specifically on the relationship between the different branches of the federal government, and what the Cato Institute regards as their...
Website
Other

State and Local Government on the Net

For Students 9th - 10th
Index of links to specific state governments, national organizations, federal resources, and multi-state sites.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: State Power: Got a Reservation?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students discover that states have their own governments and powers separate from the federal government. They learn what those powers are, how they're different from the federal government's powers, and that state governments also give...
Website
Other

Firstgov.gov: u.s. State and Local Employees

For Students 9th - 10th
This page allows the visitor to search by topic or type of issues affecting the government. This site also has many links to federal programs.
Lesson Plan
Internal Revenue Service

Irs: Federal/state/local Taxes Lesson Plans

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan will help students understand that federal, state, and local governments need revenues to provide goods and services for their residents.
Interactive
US Mint

United States Mint: Branches of Power

For Students 3rd - 8th
Save the federal government from Oppressor Sam, and learn about the US Constitution to restore the three branches of government.
Handout
Other

National Atlas of the United States

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Atlas of the United States provides comprehensive information collected by the Federal Government and delivered through interactive maps. Select from a variety of scientific, societal, and historical information to be...
Unit Plan
C-SPAN

C Span Classroom: Teaching About National Security and Surveillance

For Students 9th - 10th
Learning module and lesson plan which examines whether or not the federal government should monitor phone and internet activity to protect the security of the United States. Comprehensive materials including C-SPAN videos and related...
Article
Other

The Texas Economy: Texas School Funding at a Glance

For Students 9th - 10th
See the breakdown of Texas public school revenues including local, state, and federal monies. Totals for these revenue sources include state spending not reported by school districts, such as state purchases of textbooks.
Activity
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: Powers of the Federal Government

For Students 3rd - 5th
The division of powers between the federal and state levels of the United States government is described. Suggestions for research projects, resource links, and some activities are included.
Handout
Other

National Conference of State Legislatures: Mandate Monitor

For Students 9th - 10th
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) was adopted in an effort " to curb the practice of imposing unfunded Federal mandates on States and local governments." According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), UMRA defines a...
Website
Other

Usa.gov

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has links to all federal government agencies, federal branches, and state governments.

Other popular searches