iCivics
Limiting Government
While this instructional activity includes several nice worksheets to identify and discuss the various limits on government (i.e. a constitution, the rule of law, separation of powers, consent of the governed, etc.), its main value lies...
Curated OER
What Experiences Shaped the Founders' Thinking about Government?
Students study the ideas and experiences that shaped the founding fathers' perspective about government. In this the government lesson plan, students examine the Articles of Confederation as they relate to the power of government....
Curated OER
Government Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan 12
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.
Curated OER
We the People... How Does Government Secure Natural Rights?
Students investigate the Founders' ideas about what kind of government is most likely to protect the basic rights of people. They distinguish between limited and unlimited government.
Curated OER
Lessons from the Holocaust
Students discover what a dictatorship is by examining the holocaust. In this government lesson, students discuss the laws that were enacted for Nazis to take control of Germany, and the types of laws we have put place to prevent that...
Curated OER
Everyone Wants to Be President
How can you help your class understand the breadth of duties and the challenges of being the leader of the United States?
Curated OER
Why do we need a Government
Learners explore some of the ideas of major importance to the Founders, why we need a government, and how the Founders believed governments should be created and what they should do. They think of a right that all people should have and...
Curated OER
Group Newspaper-American System of Government
Eighth graders, in groups, design, research, and create a newspaper that explains four historical events that have influenced the American system of government.
Curated OER
Our Political Beginnings: Ch 1
Quiz your middle schoolers on the political beginnings of American government. They will answer 5 matching and 5 multiple choice questions. Great as a quiz, homework, or comprehension questions.
School Improvement in Maryland
Political Systems: Advantages and Disadvantages
Every political system has advantages and disadvantages. To gain an understanding of these differences, groups investigate the political system of another country—oligarchy, monarchy, dictatorship, parliamentary—and prepare a...
Curated OER
Advise And Consent Lesson 1: Limits of Power
Students examine the importance of citizens being involved in their community government for the common good. They look at the importance of limiting government and the concepts of philanthropy.
Curated OER
Limits of Power
Young scholars examine the importance of limiting power in governments. In this government lesson, students investigate the importance of placing limits on government by looking at the US Constitution. They look at ways that being an...
Bill of Rights Institute
The Declaration of Independence
Take classes on an in-depth tour of the Declaration of Independence. An informative resource effectively scaffolds learning by providing warm-up and wrap-up activities. It also includes a variety of handouts for individuals to complete,...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
Investigating the Declaration of Independence
Teach your class about the Declaration of Independence while giving them practice working as a team. The resource breaks participants into groups and has them answer questions about specific grievances from the Declaration of...
Curated OER
All Men Are Created Equal
Students discuss the statement "All Men Are Created Equal". Using the internet, they research events in history in which this statement has been ignored and supported by the government. They use this information to write an essay about...
Curated OER
The Importance of Self-Governance in Changing Laws
Students examine the teachings of Gandhi and King. In this nonviolent resistance lesson, students listen to a lecture that reveals how Gandhi and King educated their followers about nonviolent resistance. Students analyze contemporary...
Curated OER
The National Legislature: ch 10
Answering comprehension questions during or after reading an informational text can help focus the reader's attention. Here are 5 True/False and 5 multiple choice questions related to the Congress, bicameralism, and basic governmental...
Curated OER
The Secret is Out
Learners research history of biomedical research and development of ethics in clinical trials, define informed consent, describe primary components of informed consent decision, and discuss government's role in protecting rights of...
Curated OER
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...
Constitution Facts
U.S. Constitution Crossword Puzzles: Expert #1
Who became US Chief Justice in 1801? Which delegate from New York advocated a strict constructionist interpretation of the US Constitution? What is the term given to the chief or one of several import crops regularly grown and sold in a...
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...
Curated OER
Who are American Citizens?
Students investigate American citizenship. In this civics lesson, students consider the basic knowledge of U. S. government new citizens are required to have. Students also examine the 14th amendment that describes U. S. citizenship.
Curated OER
VA Statute for Religious Freedom, III
High schoolers analyze the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedoms and consider its implications. In this governing principles instructional activity, students explore primary and secondary sources regarding the document penned by Thomas...
Curated OER
Why Do We Need a Government?
Students are introduced to the basic concepts of the natural rights philosophy. After being introduced to the concept of natural rights, students are asked to speculate on what might be the benefits and problems of living in a state of...