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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders discover details about the 3 branches of government. In this primary source analysis lesson, 6th graders examine documents and images from the Library of Congress to investigate the structure of the U.S. government.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Role of State Government and the State Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine sections of the Nebraska Constitution and the U.S. Constitution, and compare/contrast the two. They research policy issues, and decide whether they should be solved at the state or federal level.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Documents and Symbols and American Freedom

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Young scholars complete a unit of lessons on the documents, symbols, and famous people involved in the founding of the U.S. government. They create a personal bill of rights, write a found poem, design a flag, conduct research, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Slavery in the U.S. Constitution

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine five sections of the U.S. Constitution to see what the Federal Government has said about slavery, past and present. Then, class members research individuals and interest groups who directly impacted slavery compromises.
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Interactive
2
2
Judicial Learning Center

State Courts vs. Federal Courts

For Students 6th - 12th
Popular culture often portrays the Feds as the most fearsome of law enforcement agencies. Yet, someone charged with a crime is considerably more likely to end up in a state court. The lesson, one of six covering the Organization of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Letters to the Government

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine how to be active participants in their local, state, or federal governments. They create a powerpoint presentation and write a letter to one of their governmental representatives about a problem and solution of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan 12

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students investigate various political systems around the world. They complete a chart that compares the U.S. political system with other nations' governments, conduct research on a selected nation, and present an oral report.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Juvenile Death Penalty

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Sensitive material is discussed in this lesson. Please review to ensure that the content is suitable for your class. The topic is the Eighth Amendment and how the U.S. Supreme Court makes determinations about what constitutes cruel and...
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Interactive
2
2
Judicial Learning Center

About Federal Judges

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Not just anybody can do the job of a federal judge, but according to the United States Constitution just about anybody can be appointed. The lesson outlines the process and requirements for becoming a federal judge, focusing on the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bridging the gap between the U.S. and Cuba

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the events that led to the strained relationship between Cuba and the United States.  In this US History lesson, 11th graders create an illustrated timeline of Cuba-U.S. relations.  Students write an essay...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington: The Precedent President

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate precedents set during George Washington's term in office. They conduct Internet research, develop a list of the responsibilities of the President, match Washington's accomplishments with the list, and play a game.
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Lesson Plan
Ohio Center For Law-Related Education

Four Activities: Thurgood Marshall and the Nomination and Confirmation of Federal Judges

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
The process of nominating and confirming federal judges can sound like a lot of bureaucratic hoops, but a resource breaks down the steps of the Supreme Court nominations in a simpler manner. Learners participate in four activities that...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
National Endowment for the Humanities

Lesson 4 James Madison: Internal Improvements Balancing Act—Federal/State and Executive/Legislative

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Who has the power? The founding fathers asked the same question when the United States was formed. Learners explore issues that arose during Madison’s presidency that raised constitutional questions. Through discovery, discussion, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

US Government: The Constitution

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners explore the branches of government. In this U. S. Constitution lesson, students examine the system of checks and balances in the U.S. plan of government as they read the document and define vocabulary words.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's in Your Pocket

For Teachers K - 4th
Students examine American coins. In this American currency lesson, students study how American money came to be as well as the responsibilities of the U.S. Mint. Students discover details regarding American coins and design their own coins.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alexander Hamilton and the Roots of Federalism

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Explore the origin of political parties in the United States. Learners work in groups to read and analyze copies of the "Report on Manufactures" written by Alexander Hamilton. Then, they complete a worksheet comparing the Federalists to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Budget Debate: How Would You Balance the Federal Budget?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how to balance the federal budget. In this American economics lesson, students read the provided article "Congress Debates Cutting the Budget." Students then collaborate in small groups to determine how to balance the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Taxes in U.S. History: The Social Security Act of 1935

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain the history of the Social Security Act and the FICA tax. They describe what Social Security is and whom it is intended to help. They explain the purpose of the FICA tax.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Impact of the IWW on the Nation or Who were the Wobblies?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students evaluate the role labor groups had on the U.S. Government in the early 1900's.  For this teaching American history lesson, students complete several activities, including response writing and listening to music, that reinforce...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Local Government: Caring for Your Community

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders investigate the role of local governments. In this government lesson, 7th graders examine historical photographs and determine what services are being performed in the photographs. Students research how the services are...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Corporate Governance

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Examine the role of the Securities Exchange Commission. Upper graders watch a short Bill Moyers video, analyze a political cartoon, complete a graphic organizer on the SEC, and develop SEC reform strategies to rebuild investor confidence.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Look at U.S. and Canadian Approaches to Individual Liberties

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students compare and contrast Canadian and U.S. policies regarding social issues. In this sociology instructional activity, students research social and governance policies in the countries and write personal essays using their findings.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

U.S. Government & Indian Nations

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explain the Constitutional basis of the Federal Indian relationship; summarize the Constitutional references to American Indians; and, evaluate the importance of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Enduring Legacies of the New Deal

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students investigate U.S. history by listening to an economics lecture. In this U.S. government activity, students research the "New Deal" which happened after the Great Depression. Students identify movies, books and music from the...