Curated OER
The Laws of the Land
Students examine state quarters and discuss how national and state agencies worked together to create them. They examine state laws and national laws to see how they differ. They explore the process for making a law.
Curated OER
Separation of Powers
Eighth graders explore and explain the responsibilities and limits of our national system of government. After reading various selections documenting the viewpoints of the federalists and anti-federalists and the separation of power,...
Curated OER
FDR and the Lend-Lease Act
Students analyze primary source documents and photographs to analyze the implications of the Lend-Lease Program. For this research lesson plan, students read and discuss letters and speeches related to the Lend-Lease Act, evaluate FDR's...
Curated OER
Government Lesson Plans
Students can learn how their government is organized through these engaging lesson plans.
Curated OER
The Need for Government—A Cinematic and Literary Perspective
Students examine the philosophy of government. In this types of government lesson, students explore literature and movie clips to determine the value of rules in lawless societies.
Curated OER
The First American Party System: Events, Issues, and Positions
Students examine and discuss the philosophical differences that arose during the Constitutional Convention and how these differences played a role in the formation of the first political parties.
Curated OER
Wartime and the Bill of Rights: The Korematsu Case
Students examine the balance between civil liberties and protection. In this national security lesson, students explore the Korematsu case which references the Japanese internment camps of World War II. Students draw comparisons between...
Curated OER
The Judicial Branch
In this social studies instructional activity, students investigate the job of Sandra Day O'Connor in the judicial branch of the U.S. government. Students answer 25 questions, completing sentences with words from the word bank. This page...
Curated OER
The Missouri Compromise of 1820
Students use a map of the Missouri Compromise to explain the geographical changes it brought to the U.S. and why the changes provoked a debate over the expansion of slavery in the U.S.
Curated OER
Local government, local needs
Young scholars use an investigative approach to extend knowledge about local government. Students develop an understanding of relationship between local needs and government services. Young scholars work in small groups to collect,...
Curated OER
Out of the City and Into the Soup
Students examine the issue of air pollution. They read and analyze an article, evaluate the responses of state and federal officials to the problem, conduct Internet research, and write a letter to their senator and congressman.
Curated OER
Understanding the Purpose of Provincial Government
Young scholars 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.
Curated OER
Law Day: Constitutional Law Outline
Students receive information about laws. Some of the categories include powers of the federal government, federal powers vs. state powers, and the Bill of Rights. It is in an outline form that looks like the student follows along with...
Curated OER
Judicial Branch & Supreme Court Questions
In this U. S. government learning exercise, students respond to 19 short answer questions about the responsibilities of Supreme Court members in the United States.
Curated OER
The Judicial Branch
For this checks and balances in U.S. government worksheet, students read a 4-paragraph selection regarding the Supreme Court and then respond to 5 fill in the blank questions.
Curated OER
The Judicial Branch
In this U.S. branches of government worksheet, students respond to 5 fill in the blank questions regarding the powers of the judicial branch of government.
Curated OER
Kill the Indian to Save the Man: Reservations, Assimilation, and Native American Resistance and Persistence in the West
Learners investigate the theory versus the reality of US government reservation policy in the mid to late 19th Century by watching a video. They design a time line that shows how the individual tribes surrendered to the reservation...
Curated OER
The 3 Levels of Government through Scrapbooking
Eighth graders explore Parliamentary democracy and governance.
Curated OER
Arguments Against Ratifying the Constitution
Young scholars define federalism, Federalist, and Anti-Federalist, debate issue of ratification in classroom convention, and take vote on whether to add bill of rights. Three lessons on one page.
Curated OER
The U.S. Constitution Power Grab Game
Learners study the powers and limitations of the three branches of the American government. They explain how the system of "checks and balances" protects the individual citizens. They explain how the amendments to the Constitution...
Curated OER
Judicial Review
Student 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. Unit is comprised of five lessons and fits into...
Curated OER
The Birth of a City
Third graders understand the role of rules and laws in our daily lives. They research the basic structure of the United States government. They participate in a simulated City Council meeting.
Curated OER
Rules and Laws of the Community
Second graders recognize and identify the need for rules in school. They also discuss the importance of safety rules at school, home, and in the community. They illustrate a rule which they have learned in class, and write letters to the...
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.