Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Branching Out

For Teachers 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about three branches of government and their system of checks and balances. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in classifying and categorizing.
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Our Government

For Students 3rd - 8th Standards
Cartoon Ben Franklin guides students through the U.S. government by providing short descriptions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Docs Teach: Separation of Powers or Shared Powers

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
In this activity, students 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...
Graphic
Other

Govspot: Judicial Branch

For Students 9th - 10th
GovSpot surveys the structure and purpose of the Judicial Branch of U.S. government, which comprises the Supreme Court and the Federal Court System.
Website
Utah Education Network

Uen: Civics: Government

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Provides basic information about our government.
Handout
Information Technology Associates

Dominican Republic Government

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides easy to read information on the government of the Dominican Republic. Topics include the type of government, branches of government, political parties, and more.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Us Government for Kids: Judicial Branch the Supreme Court

For Students 1st - 9th
Kids learn about the Judicial Branch of the United States Government. Judges and the Supreme Court.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Learning About Our Government

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This lesson is designed to inform students about the organization of our nation's government. Students will be introduced to the three branches of American government and the responsibilities of each. They will discuss the requirements...
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Branches of Us Government

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart explains the 3 branches of US government-- Executive, Judicial and Legislative-- and includes some questions for assessment.
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Debate and Compromise

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
The 18th-century statesmen who met in Philadelphia were adherents of Montesquieu's concept of the balance of power in politics. This principle was supported by colonial experience and strengthened by the writings of John Locke, with...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs: How the Supreme Court Affects the Lives of Teens (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Objectives for this instructional activity include describing the structure and function of the Supreme Court, looking at important decisions, and discussing recent rulings and issues.
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Grades K 2

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Here you can learn all about the U.S. Government! Find information on our nation, how our government works, your own neighborhood, and the main government symbols. Games and other activities are also included!
Graphic
Other

Canada Info: Structure of Canadian Federal Government Chart

For Students 3rd - 8th
The structure of the 3 levels of the Canadian Federal Government is clearly shown on this graphic chart. Useful for anyone researching the Canadian government.
Interactive
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Games

For Students 4th - 6th
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...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Our Courts: Constitution Day Lesson: Checks and Balances [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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.
Handout
Travel Document Systems

Tds: Equatorial Guinea: Government

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the political conditions and government of Equatorial Guinea and how the branches of government work. You can see a list of current government officials. Information is from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.
Handout
Travel Document Systems

Tds: Kenya: Government

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of the branches of government of Kenya and a look at the current political conditions as well as a chart showing the current government officials. Information is from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Docs Teach: Checks and Balances in Action

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
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...
Handout
Travel Document Systems

Tds: Burkina Faso: Government

For Students 9th - 10th
In this article you can read about the government of Burkina Faso, a tentative new democracy. You can find out about the recent elections, government officials, and branches of government. Information is from the U.S. State Dept....
Handout
Travel Document Systems

Tds: Cape Verde: Government

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about Cape Verde's stable democracy, the branches of government, political parties, and most recent elections. Information is from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Judicial Branch

For Students 3rd - 5th
This site provides a simple explanation of the Judicial Branch with a hyperlinks to information on the Supreme Court.
Handout
The White House

The White House: State & Local Government

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains how the three branches of state governments work and the different levels and responsibilities of local governments.
Handout
Travel Document Systems

Tds: Botswana: Government

For Students 9th - 10th
A good look at the successful government of Botswana, a country with a stable and free democracy. You can find a list of the current governmental officials. From the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: American Government Jury Duty

For Teachers 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This first person account explains the topic of jury duty. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and establishes scaffolding for...