Curated OER
A Recipe for Democracy - Roman Democracy Lesson Plans
Students can take a look at the political system of Rome through Roman Democracy Lesson Plans.
Curated OER
The Great Debate Lesson Plan: Slavery in the U.S. Constitution
Middle schoolers examine the U.S. Constitution to see what has been writte about slavery. Then, students, in groups, research the Constitutional Convention of 1787 to explore slavery compromises.
![I Civics: Our Courts: Constitution Day Lesson: Checks and Balances [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://static.lp.lexp.cloud/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "I Civics: Our Courts: Constitution Day Lesson: Checks and Balances [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
iCivics
I Civics: Our Courts: Constitution Day Lesson: Checks and Balances [Pdf]
Students learn the roles and responsibilities of each branch of government and where the checks and balances are located in this role-playing lesson. Requires Adobe Reader.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Checks and Balances
Overview of the principle of checks and balances proposed in the Federalist Papers.
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.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Checks and Balances
The system of checks and balances in place for maintaining the power relationships within the United States government is explained in kid-friendly terms. Suggestions for research projects, resource links and some activities are...
US National Archives
Docs Teach: Checks and Balances in Action
In this activity, students will analyze documents that span the course of American history to see examples of 'checks and balances' between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches in action. Students will then match the...
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Checks and Balances
Learn about checks and balances, limits and controls imposed on all branches of a government by giving each branch of government the right to amend or void certain acts of the other branches.
Digital History
Digital History: Majority Rule vs. Checks and Balances [Pdf]
It is interesting to read how the delegates to the Constitutional Convention thought as they debated important issues such as the checks and balances that should be written into the new Constitution. Read these conversations based on...
Tom Richey
Tom Richey: Constitutional Underpinnings of u.s. Government
The first unit of an online course on AP US Government and Politics. It explores key concepts of American government, including constitutional government, republicanism, separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, construction...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Checks on the Presidency: Advanced
This resource from Khan Academy provides advanced-level practice questions over the checks on the US President. These questions are intended for students taking high school or college level American Government and Civics courses,...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Checks on the Presidency: Foundational
This resource from Khan Academy provides foundational-level practice questions over the checks on the US President. These questions are intended for students taking high school or college level American Government and Civics courses,...
Digital History
Digital History: Republicanism
The framers of the Constitution had a great distaste for the monarchial society of Great Britain. See how this was reflected in the checks and balances they wrote into the Constitution in an effort to create a working republic.
Oswego City School District
Regents Exam Prep Center: Introduction to u.s. Government
Explore the ideas and principles of American government including its influences, foundation, and basic tenets (such as checks and balances and federalism).
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Branches of Government
Students will visualize how the Constitution organized our 3 branches of government and the role each plays in our government. This infographic breaks down the powers of each branch and shows how they perform checks on the other...
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Dirksen Congressional Center:congress for Kids: Introduction to the Constitution
Explore the history of the United States Constitution: information about the writing the Constitution, the Great Compromise, the Constitution's signers, the Bill of Rights, the Amendments to the Constitution, federal powers, checks and...
University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina: Constitution 101 [Pdf]
Provides a good basic introduction to the Constitution. Explains the founding principles, checks and balances, the rationale for it, the accomplishments of the Constitutional Convention, the debate and ratification, the structure of the...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Checks on the Judicial Branch: Foundational
This resource from Khan Academy provides foundational-level practice questions over the checks on the government's judicial. These questions are intended for students taking high school or college level American Government and Civics...
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum: Three Branches of Government
Interactive teaching unit for Grades 5-8 that helps to explain the three branches of government and the the balance of power. Topics covered include balance of government, how a bill becomes a law, the amendment process, the Legislative...
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Federal v. Consolidated Government: Virginia Plan
The original text of The Virginia Plan presented at the Constitutional Convention. Discusses federal versus consolidated government.
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Enlightenment Ideas and the Founding Fathers
A tutorial that looks at the ideas from the Enlightenment that influenced the Founding Fathers, particularly those of John Locke and Montesquieu. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Preparing for the Oath: u.s. History and Civics for Citizenship
This site from the National Museum of American History, part of the Smithsonian Institution, is a great site for citizens and those learning to become citizens alike. Review the fifteen themes that deal with U.S. history and civics,...
US National Archives
National Archives: Teaching Six Big Ideas in the Constitution
The Constitution can be broken down into 6 main themes: Limited Government, Federalism, Republicanism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Popular Sovereignty. Students will study background on the Founding Fathers and use...
iCivics
I Civics: Constitution Day Lesson Plan
This interactive instructional activity gives students a quick snapshot of the Constitution, including the purpose of each article, the powers of the three branches, how a bill becomes a law, and the concepts of separation of powers and...