Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Checks on Presidential Power

For Teachers 8th - 12th
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Role of State Government and the State Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the relationship between state and national governments. They define the principles of American federalism how the constitution outlines the powers of state and federal government. Lesson focuses on Nebraska...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

Separation of Powers

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
In a fun and informative simulation, your learners will act in groups as lead chefs, menu writers, and nutrition inspectors in deciding a new school lunch menu. They will then compare and contrast their experience to the interaction...
Activity
Administrative Office of the US Courts

US v. Alvarez

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Is it illegal to lie about military service? Discuss the ways the First Amendment affects the Stolen Valor Act with a lesson that focuses on the Supreme Court case U.S. v. Alvarez. As high schoolers learn more about the history of the...
Interactive
2
2
Judicial Learning Center

Judicial Independence

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Most people support the idea of an independent judiciary in theory until they hear about a court case that violates their principles. An informative resource explains why the concept is important. It also provides scholars of criminology...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government Agencies

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are taught that there is more to executive branch of the federal government than the president and cabinet. They identify in pairs the names and fucntions of different departments under the executive branch of federal...
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Balance of Government

For Students 8th - 12th
In this U.S. branches of government learning exercise, students respond to 6 fill in the blank questions regarding the powers of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students complete a unit on the three branches of government. They compare/contrast the three branches of government, write a letter or e-mail to an executive in the Federal Government, and develop outlines for historical documents.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Defining the Separation of Power

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the separation of powers in the American government and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Forms of Government: Ch 1

For Students 8th - 9th
Assist your class by clarifying aspect of various forms of government. This resource contains 5 true/false and 5 multiple choice questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Capitals of Ohio

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders construct timelines of historic Ohio events and explain how it progressed from territory to state. They locate points of interest on a state map.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

US Government: The Checks and Balances System of the US Constitution

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the responsibilities of the 3 branches of U.S. government. In this checks and balances lesson plan, students identify the powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. Students share examples...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Painting Presidential Portraits

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the duties and powers of the president.  For this American Government lesson, 11th graders research to find information on the role of the president.  Students practice reading and listening skills.  
Interactive
DocsTeach

Court Packing vs. Reorganizing: The Supreme Court in the New Deal

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Travel back in time to understand the effects of FDR's New Deal on the Supreme Court. Academics analyze historical documents to understand FDR's attempts to pack the Supreme Court and the opposition he faced. The activity includes a...
Interactive
DocsTeach

Documenting Key Presidential Decisions

For Teachers 6th - 8th
It's match time! Academics participate in an exciting matching game using primary sources. The activity uses documents of key decisions and matches them to the presidents that they are attributed to. Scholars also make a list of key...
Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

Courts and Judges

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
If the Supreme Court is so supreme, why do all cases not just start there? High schoolers learn why every case does not start at the Supreme Court as well as the importance of hierarchy in the US judicial system in the 11th installment...
Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

Lawmaking and the Rule of the Law

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How many constitutional clauses does it take to create a bill? High schoolers find out with several activities and  selected clauses about the rule of law and the US Constitution. Various coinciding activities help to strengthen...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

War Making: Executive and Legislative Powers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine Constitution and what it says about war-making power, contrast roles and responsibilities of executive and legislative branches of government when it comes to making war, become familiar with important 20th and 21st...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Powers of Mom: Understanding the Legislative, Executive and Judicial Power

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders examine the powers of each branch of the government. They analyze the causes and effects of relationships within the government. They participate in activities to help them comprehend the material.
PPT
Curated OER

Governance And Civics: Grade 4

For Teachers 4th
This PowerPoint provides elementary students with a basic overview of the structure and workings of the US Government. Students will be introduced to the 3 branches of Federal and State Government, the Bill of Rights, and Amendments 1,...
Worksheet
Curated OER

4-H Citizenship Activity Page - Beginning Level

For Students 5th - 8th
This is a 4-H citizenship activity that asks learners to examine county government, city councils, the three branches of the United States government, and complete a community service project. It also includes a word search,...
Worksheet
Reading Through History

The Federalist Papers: Federalist Paper No. 51

For Students 8th - 12th Standards
How did Federalists feel about the federal government? Learners search for the answers in the Federalist Paper No. 51, which discusses the powers of the presidency. Then, they answer various questions to test for their comprehension of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Landmark Supreme Court Cases And The Constitution

For Teachers 11th
Have an engaging class discussion on the Bill of Rights, U.S. Constitution, and the Supreme Court. Learners examine multiple aspects of the Marbury v. Madison case and the impact that case had on the judicial system in the U.S. Web...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan 2

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explore the structure and powers of the federal government. They assess the validity of recent criticisms of each branch of the federal government and create pyramid posters which simulate the structure of government.