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President Gerald Ford's Special Message to Congress

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the working relationship between the legislative and executive branches of government through Ford's address to Congress in 1976 addressing the need for improvements to programs for the elderly.
Handout
The White House

The White House: State & Local Government

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains how the three branches of state governments work and the different levels and responsibilities of local governments.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: The Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] Intended for early elementary students, ReadWorks provides an information text about the three branches of government. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Branches of Government

For Students 3rd - 5th
A brief overview of the origins of the three branches of the federal government, with links to more in-depth information about each branch. Also discusses the concerns of the Founding Fathers about creating a government that had...
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The President of the United States (3 5)

For Students 3rd - 5th
Describes the job and duties of the President of the United States as head of the executive branch. Also discusses how the President is elected and the length of terms of office.
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Branches of Government: Executive Branch (3 5)

For Students 3rd - 5th
Ben's Guide is a fun way to present U.S. Government to students in grades K-12. This site presents an overview of the Executive branch of government. Links to related sites are available.
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The President of the United States (9 12)

For Students 9th - 10th
Summarizes the role of the President as the Head of the Executive Branch and the powers and duties assigned to him by the Constitution. Provides links to further information.
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Branches of Government: Executive Branch (9 12)

For Students 9th - 10th
Ben's Guide to U.S. Government provides a description of the executive branch and what it is responsible for. Includes links to related information.
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: President of the u.s. Requirements & Term

For Students 9th - 10th
A short paragraph on the requirements for holding the president or vice-president position. There is also a paragraph on the number of terms they can serve.
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Our Government

For Students 3rd - 8th Standards
Cartoon Ben Franklin guides students through the U.S. government by providing short descriptions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

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

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students learn the roles and responsibilities of each branch of government and where the checks and balances are located in this role-playing lesson plan. Requires Adobe Reader.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: State Constitutions

For Students 5th - 8th
The new states did a great deal of experimentation within the bounds of the new republican ideals. Read about three very different takes on how a state should be organized governmentally.
Handout
Travel Document Systems

Tds: Azerbaijan: Government

For Students 9th - 10th
Azerbaijan is described as a republic. Read about its government and the problems it has faced with rebels and the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh. Information is from the CIA World Fact Book.
Handout
Travel Document Systems

Tds: Kenya: Government

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of the branches of government of Kenya and a look at the current political conditions as well as a chart showing the current government officials. Information is from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.
Handout
Travel Document Systems

Tds: Botswana: Government

For Students 9th - 10th
A good look at the successful government of Botswana, a country with a stable and free democracy. You can find a list of the current governmental officials. From the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.
Handout
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Classroom: Twenty Second Amendment

For Students 9th - 10th
Text and brief paraphrased meaning of the Twenty-Second Amendment, provides students with an overview of the amendment which specifies presidential term limits. Links to related resources.
Website
Federal Bureau of Investigation

Federal Bureau of Investigation

For Students 9th - 10th
The Federal Bureau of Investigation(F.B.I)is an independent agency of the U.S. government. This homepage contains a wide variety of information, such as: Your FBI, Contacting the FBI, Major Investigations, Employment, etc.
Interactive
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Branch O Mania

For Students Pre-K - 1st Standards
Learning game for ages 4 and above the U.S. Government in which players use the information they have gained from Learning Adventures and help Ben Franklin catch the icons that are unique to each branch of government.
Interactive
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Branch O Mania

For Students 3rd - 7th Standards
Learn about the duties of each branch of government with this learning game. Help Ben Franklin catch the items that are unique jobs for each particular branch of government. Level up with your knowledge!
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Tough Issues

For Students 5th - 8th
Read about the change of plans when delegates to the Philadelphia convention decided to write a new constitution to replace the Articles of Convention. See the ideas delegates had to address concerns of large and small states.
Website
Other

United States Department of Labor: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

For Students 9th - 10th
This homepage for the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), a government regulatory agency, is an excellent source of information on issues concerning workers health and safety.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Branching Out

For Teachers 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about three branches of government and their system of checks and balances. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in classifying and categorizing.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: American Government the Branches of Government

For Teachers 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This informational text passage discusses the three branches of government in the United States. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies...
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: American Government Branches of Government: A Closer Look

For Teachers 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This informational text passage gives explanation about the branches of the government. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and...