Curated OER
Teaching Six Big Ideas in the Constitution
Students debate the constitutional principles of the United States. In this U.S. government activity, students examine the meaning of the text of the U.S. Constitution and analyze other primary documents of the era. Students prepare for...
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Bill Of Rights
Students examine Supreme Court cases. In this U.S. government lesson, students watch a video about the Bill of Rights and then research 4 Supreme Court cases using the noted web site. Students analyze the presented information and write...
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Can We Breathe Easier?
Students list the exclusive and shared powers of the state and national governments. They state the specific role of the national and state governments in enforcing environmental legislation.
Digital History
The Age of Constitution Writing
Was the United States significantly more democratic in their governing structures and laws after the overthrow of British authorities? Compare and contrast summaries of the country's constitutions under British rule and after...
Administrative Office of the US Courts
Nomination Process
"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States..." Scholars investigate the nomination process of Supreme Court justices when assuming office. Through examination of primary and secondary...
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How A Bill Becomes Law
Young scholars gain an understanding of how a bill becomes law. They access websites imbedded in this plan. They create a bill of their own, and share it with the class. They compare their simulated bills with real legislation.
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iCivics: Court Quest
Students explore the responsibilities of the Supreme Court. In this judicial branch activity, students play an online game that requires them to respond to questions regarding the Supreme Court's responsibilities.
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Law, Values and Lobbying
High schoolers begin to examine the lawmaking process. Using their text, they describe the role of the three branches of government. In groups, they identify the four basic values protected by law and define the concept of lobbying and...
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Government Lesson Plans
Students can learn how their government is organized through these engaging lesson plans.
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Slow-moving Process
Learners explain why the Framers designed a long and complicated legislative process, and evaluate how effectively the legislative branch of the government is serving the purposes for which it was created.
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Create Your Own Constitution
Eighth graders explore the processes, purpose and components of a good and just constitution. They focus on the Constitution of the United States of America. Students discuss the purpose of a constitution and reasons why the Constitution...
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Claim Your Power
Fourth graders analyze the branches of the Texas government and identify its powers and characteristics. The separation of powers and checks and balances are identified.
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Political Parties and What They Do
The emerging politicians in your government might be familiar with the words "Democrat" and "Republican," but what do they really know about the role of political parties in America? Use this activity to reinforce information from your...
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Rock the Vote
Students dramatize the process by which a bill becomes a law. They design a product that explains the function of the Legislative Branch in government and present their work to the class.
National Endowment for the Humanities
James Madison: Madison Was There
Madison was there! Scholars go on a journey to discover the person behind the founding father label as they explore James Madison's role in the formation of the United States government. The culmination is a writing assignment and...
Curated OER
Understanding the Purpose of Provincial Government
Learners examine a mixed bag of objects and discuss their relevance to "government." They discuss the three branches of Provincial Government and the purpose of each.
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U.S. Constitution - Checks and Balances
Learners examine the separation of powers of the branches of the U.S. federal government. For this U.S. Constitution lesson, students listen to a SMART Board supported lecture on checks and balances of the Judicial, Legislative, and...
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Taking From the Giving Tree
Students explore the ways in which various American cities negotiate the protection of their "green infrastructure," gaining a broader understanding of proposed and enacted legislation as it relates to preserving and planting trees in...
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Hate-Crimes and Punishment
Students research and write about the effectiveness of hate-crime legislation in the United States
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Having the Last Word
Students discuss the influence of foreign languages in their everyday speech after reading an article from The New York Times on language legislation in Brazil. Students are divided into 4 groups in order to research languages spoken...
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The Emergence of the Judicial Branch
Learners demonstrate understanding of both sides of the argument between Jefferson and Marshall that led to the strengthening of the Judicial Branch through the creation of judicial review.
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Congress - President: Keeping the Balance
In this checks and balances in U.S. government worksheet, students read a 7-paragraph selection regarding Congress and the President and then respond to 5 short answer questions.
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Constitutional Acts (Chapter 3)
Help your students review constitutional acts in this review worksheet, which could also be used as a class quiz. Five matching questions and five multiple choice questions address checks and balances, the powers of the Senate and House,...
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Supreme Court Decisions on Freedom of Religion
What does freedom of religion mean? Analyze a series of Supreme Court cases where the First Amendment right to freedom of religion was put to the test. They discuss the cases' outcomes and argue whether the right decision was made....