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Life before Congress
Pupils name some interesting backgrounds of Members of Congress, identify their current representatives in the legislative branch of the national government, and describe the background of one local representative or senator.
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The Panama Canal Treaties: How Treaties Are Ratified
High schoolers gain an understanding of how the executive and legislative branches, influenced by popular opinion, work toward the ratification of a treaty. They examine the influences and impact of lobbying and special interests in the...
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Ports in the Storm
Students explore national security issues related to the possibility of a Dubai-owned company operating an American port. Opinions are solicited and debated.
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Making a Mace
Students make a mace as a symbol of the legislatures authority to make laws.
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Influencing Public Policy
Learners read the local newspaper, identify a currrent community issue and develop plans to influence the formation, development, and implementation of a policy to affect the issue. They write a biography about someone who has influenced...
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Follow a Bill!
Students participate in an activity to discover how a bill becomes law in California. In groups, they create a school program based on their own ideas for change. They develop and conduct a survey within their community and present their...
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Civil Rights
Twelfth graders survey how controversial court cases have changed the viewpoints of civil rights. In this U.S. Government lesson, 12th graders work in small groups to prepare summaries of specific court cases, then present their...
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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...
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How Government Works and the Rights of the People
Eighth graders identify how to be responsible citizens. In this civics lesson, 8th graders review websites of congressional members and then create questionnaires about the responsibilities of citizens.
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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...
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Who or What is Un-American?
Students explore concepts about civil liberties, research the history of sedition-related legislation in the U.S. and create a position paper on the topic.
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Who Has Power?
Fourth graders discuss abuse of power in government and examine the Constitution for specific powers in each branch. They create a crossword puzzle utilizing terms and information regarding division of government powers and federalism
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Issues Close to Home
Pupils discuss their role in their local government. Individually, they use various types of media to examine and take a position on a topic important to them. To introduce their position, they write a letter to the Board of...
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U.S. Constitution - Checks and Balances
Students examine the separation of powers of the branches of the U.S. federal government. For this U.S. Constitution lesson, students listen to a SMART Board supported lecture on checks and balances of the Judicial, Legislative, and...
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Structure of Congress
Students examine the structure of Congress. They identify the roles of the Democratic and Republician parties and their leaders. They role play the role of congressmen and pretend to pass new legislation.
California State Parks
California State Capitol Museum School Packet
Here is great packet of worksheets to introduce your young learners to the general history of California and basic facts about the Golden State. Topics covered range from state counties, Sacramento, and the capitol to...
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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.
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VA History Miniquiz - Assemblies and Burgesses
In this Virginia history instructional activity, students answer 17 multiple choice questions regarding the government of colonial Virginia.
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Our Country's People Crossword Puzzle
In this US citizens worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle by answering 19 clues. They use words from a word bank at the bottom of the puzzle, which includes ancestor, citizen, government, president, and immigrant.
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Interest Groups in South Carolina Government
Students create an outline and short class presentation about an assigned interest group by conducting research using the Internet and interest group contacts. They evaluate the role of an assigned interest group in the South Carolina...
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Government: Missouri Bar Civics Library
Students visit the Missouri bar Website to examine information about the U.S. Constitution and its Amendments. They complete a variety of activities from the provided lessons including the judiciary, Fourth Amendment issues, civil law,...
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Government: War Powers Limitations
Students examine historic examples of authority during wartime. They interpret the Fifth Amendment. They debate the merits of the Patriot Act.
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I 695 (The 30$ License Tabs Initiative)
High schoolers research the bill I 695 issue. They discuss the topic before they research the issue of I 695. Students discuss how new laws are always being created and the differences in opinion about these laws. They see how this...