Curated OER
The Kite Runner: Citizenship Test
Could you pass a citizenship test? As part of their study of Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner and the immigrant experience, class members are presented with a sample citizenship test.
Judicial Learning Center
The Power of Judicial Review
Marbury v. Madison is arguably the most important landmark case in the history of the Supreme Court. A fact-filled lesson provides background information about the case and two others related to the concept of judicial review. Scholars...
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...
Curated OER
Graphically Speaking
Students discover the links between population and Congressional representation. In this government instructional activity, students research population statistics and create spreadsheets that compare population to the number of Congress...
Curated OER
Introduction to the Constitution: The First Three Articles of the Constitution, Separation of Powers
Young scholars review the first three articles of the United States Constitution. In groups, they examine the three branches of government and their function. They follow the path of a bill until it becomes law and discuss Congress' role.
Curated OER
I'm Just a Bill
Fourth graders study the three branches of government and the process of how a bill becomes a law. They watch the School House Rock video "I'm Just a Bill" and sing the song after viewing the video. They answer question regarding a bill...
Curated OER
Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
High schoolers examine state rights and the commerce clause. In this Supreme Court lesson, students examine primary documents from Gibbons v. Ogden and discuss the implications of the decision.
Curated OER
Advising the President: A Simulated Cabinet Meeting
Students, as Cabinet members, "advise" the President on one current pressing problem or concern facing their department or post. They prepare an Action Plan with possible alternative courses of action that meets budget constraints.
Curated OER
Checks on Presidential Power
Students examine presidential powers. In this checks and balances lesson, students identify the constitutional and informal restraints of the president and consider the reasons for the limitations.
Curated OER
Washington, D.C.
In this Washington, D.C. government facts worksheet, students read ten facts associated with the United States and determine if they are true or false.
Curated OER
Who Are My Local Representatives? Can I Influence Their Vote?
Students find out who their national, state, and local representatives are and write and mail a letter to one of them. The letter should be persuasive and should attempt to influence their representative's vote on a given issue.
Curated OER
The Many Powers of the President
Students become familiar with the many roles of the president. They are given various scenarios. They must decide which of his "hats" he must wear given the specifics of each situation.
Curated OER
Just how broken is the Senate?
Twelfth graders examine the role of the Senate in the United States. In this American Government lesson, 12th graders read various articles and answer questions to these articles. Students write a letter to their Senator on a...
Curated OER
Defined: The Different Types of Government
The world is a big place, so it only stands to reason that different forms of government exist. Democracy, autocracy, oligarch, monarch, and dictatorship are all defined. An extensive explanation of US government system is also included....
Curated OER
Civics Test for Citizenship: History and Government, 100 Questions
Use this thorough presentation to help your English Learners prepare for their citizenship. Covering questions 1-51 from a History and Government practice test, these slides could be a great resource for those who are working to become...
School District of Detroit
The Articles of the Confederation
Primary historical sources can be a challenge for some readers, so these seven guided-reading questions will be very useful to US History or Government classes studying The Articles of Confederation. Each question has multiple parts and...
Curated OER
The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan: Student Worksheet
These guided reading questions accompany several websites on the development of the US Constitution. While some of the links have changed, they are still accessible. History or government classes benefit from reading primary source...
Curated OER
Living News: Classroom Materials
Students explore controversial current events. For this Bill of Rights lesson, students research selected issues and examine the issues from different perspectives. Students script and record news stories that feature their findings.
Curated OER
Fourth Grade Social Studies
In this social studies worksheet, 4th graders complete multiple choice questions about the climate, landforms, regions, government, and more. Students complete 25 multiple choice questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Defining the Separation of Power
For this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the separation of powers in the American government and respond to 3 talking point questions.
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Local Government: Caring for Your Community
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...
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Lincoln's Spot Resolutions
High schoolers take a closer look at historical relations between the United States and Mexico. In this Texas annexation lesson plan, students examine primary documents authored by Zachary Taylor, James Polk, and Abraham Lincoln to...
Curated OER
The President's Roles and Responsibilities: Communicating with the President
Young scholars examine the roles and responsibilities of the U.S. president and their own roles as citizens of a democracy. They explore various websites, listen to a State of the Union address, and write a letter to the President of the...
Curated OER
A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION: A SIMULATION
Students discuss two computerized options to change the current U.S. government. In this Constitutional Convention lesson, students write a statement advocating for one of the choices and participate in a mock modern Constitutional...