C-SPAN
C Span Classroom: Teaching About Gridlock
Learning module and lesson plan with C-SPAN video resources and related articles for students to examine and deliberate on whether or not the President should exercise executive powers during times of Congressional gridlock.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Learning Adventures: Branches of Government
Introduction to a learning adventure on the Constitution and branches of government. Students click on their age group icon to find information on which part of the Constitution spells out the powers of legislative, executive and...
US National Archives
Docs Teach: Separation of Powers or Shared Powers
In this activity, young scholars will analyze documents that illustrate the relationship between the legislative, executive and judicial branches. Using the scale in Weighing the Evidence, students will decide whether the United States...
Other
Usa Gov: Three Branches of Government
Lesson plans for students to learn about the three branches of government. They can find information about the origins of the Constitution, separation of powers, and details about each of the three branches.
A&E Television
History.com: How John Marshall Expanded the Power of the Supreme Court
When John Marshall was appointed chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1801, the nation's highest court occupied a lowly position. There was no Supreme Court Building in the newly completed capital, Washington, D.C., so the six...
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Branches of Government
This article contains a useful guide to the functions of the three US Branches of Government that make, enforce, or interprets laws.
American Bar Association
American Bar Assoc.: Separation of Powers, Connecting the Separate Powers [Pdf]
This instructional activity involves role-playing to help the students understand the separation of powers. [PDF]
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Judicial Branch (9 12)
Provides a brief overview of the judicial branch of the federal government. Discusses the origin of the judicial branch, the concept of judicial review, and functions of the judicial branch. Links to more information about the U.S....
The White House
The White House: Our Government
Overviews of the major elements of U.S. government, compiled and published by the White House: three branches of the federal government (executive, legislative, judicial), the Constitution, federal agencies and commissions, elections and...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Ii: The President as a Law Enforcer
Read Section 3 of Article II which explains what the President's duties are as Law Enforcer. The Constitution does not state that the President shall execute the laws himself, but that he will ensure that laws are "faithfully executed."
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: United States Constitution: Article Ii
Full text of Article II from the U.S. Constitution, as well as detailed annotations that explain the reasoning and subsequent impact of each clause and section of the Article. Content explores everything from the nature and scope of...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: President of the United States
This is a comprehensive article on the presidency of the United States. Learn about the history of this office, its responsibilities and its powers.
Other
Tennessee Valley Authority
This is a homepage of The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), an independent executive agency of the government.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (Activity)
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) provides a lesson, focusing on the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, that relates to the power granted to the President and the Senate to make and approve treaties with foreign nations...
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum: Checks and Balances
Descriptions of the separate powers and functions of the three branches of the federal government. Site explains how the powers of one branch check and balance those of another.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Article 2 of the Us Constitution
Article 2 of the US Constitution deals with the establishment of the Executive Branch, the election of the President and Vice-President, the powers and responsibilities of the President, and the process of impeachment.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Games
Test your knowledge of U.S. geography and government with these games and printable activities. In one game, see if you can place all 50 states in their correct location. In the second game, see if you can recognize the powers of each...
Other
The American Interest: China's Place in u.s. Foreign Policy
China's remarkable aggregation of national power over the past 35 years has been a source of wonderment: to economists, who have been surprised by that country's consistently high rate of growth; to political scientists, who are at a...
Digital History
Digital History: u.s. Constitution and Organization of the National Government
Read about the structure of the U.S. Constitution and the thoughts of the framers behind the formation of each branch.
A&E Television
History.com: How the u.s. Constitution Has Changed and Expanded Since 1787
Through amendments and legal rulings, the Constitution has transformed in some critical ways. The U.S. Constitution, written in 1787 and ratified by nine of the original 13 states a year later, is the world's longest-surviving written...
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Sioux Treaty of 1868
The National Archives and Records Administration highlights the Sioux Treaty of 1868. The instructional activity provided here relates to the power granted to the president and the Senate in Article II, Section 2, Clause 2, of the U.S....
Shmoop University
Shmoop: Making the Constitution Terms
Read about Checks and Balances, Balance of Power, the Electoral College, and much more in this informative lesson about the making of the Constitution.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: The Lewis and Clark Expedition
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) presents the Lewis and Clark Expedition as a Constitutional issue. The lesson provided relates to the power granted to the President and the Senate to make treaties with foreign...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible?
This unit explores the timeless qualities of The U.S. Constitution, the opportunities to amend it, and how it is a pillar of the American identity, through these activities, videos, and outside resources.