US National Archives
National Archives: The Constitution in Action: Article Ii
This activity can be used during a unit on the U.S. Constitution. Students will analyze the Senate Journal of the First Congress and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article II of the Constitution in...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible?
This unit explores the timeless qualities of The U.S. Constitution, the opportunities to amend it, and how it is a pillar of the American identity, through these activities, videos, and outside resources.
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Massachusetts Constitution: 2 March 1780
The complete, original text of the Massachusetts State Constitution as adopted in March, 1780.
Michigan State University
Michigan State University: American Revolution: Revolution and State Constitution Making
A full-length essay on the formation of new state constitutions by the 13 newly independent states.
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Virginia Constitution: 29 June 1776
The complete original text of the revolutionary state constitution of Virginia adopted in June 1776.
The White House
The White House: Our Government
Overviews of the major elements of U.S. government, compiled and published by the White House: three branches of the federal government (executive, legislative, judicial), the Constitution, federal agencies and commissions, elections and...
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.
iCivics
I Civics: Constitutional Principles
The Founding Fathers created a government based on a set of fundamental principles carefully designed to guarantee liberty. This lesson plan lets students look at the Constitution from the perspective of its foundational principles and...
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution
The University of Chicago provides thousands of primary source documents concerning the diverse contents of the Constitution. Documents underlying the proposed Constitution, as well as documents of the time debating the proposed...
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Branches of Government
This article contains a useful guide to the functions of the three US Branches of Government that make, enforce, or interprets laws.
Schools of California Online Resources for Education
Score: The u.s. Constitution Power Grab Game
Politicians like power, but who actually gets to use their powers in different situations? Take this quiz to sort out the checks and balances that are used on the various power plays.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: The Portable Fluid Power Demonstrator (Pfpd)
Working as teams, students learn the basics of fluid power design using the PFPD as their investigative platform. Students will investigate the similarities and differences between using pneumatic and hydraulic power in the PFPD. While...
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.
Ohio Test Prep
Ohio Test Prep: Module 3: Government
Learning module on American Government prepares students to take the Ohio state tests in Social Studies on topics including Laws, U.S. Constitution, Rights and Responsibilities, Framework of Government, and Separation of Powers. Includes...
Digital History
Digital History: Compromises
Compromise was the name of the game when writing the Constitution. See how taxation, elections, and the power of the federal government were enshrined in the document. Marvel at the ideas that were rejected.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Landmark Cases: Schechter v. u.s. (1935)
PBS provides details on the landmark Supreme Court case of Schechter v. U.S. which dealt with congressional powers under the Commerce Clause.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Federal Court System
Discussion of the structure, purpose, powers and Constitutional safeguards of the Federal Court System.
iCivics
I Civics: Limiting Government
Explore the five basic limits on government through the true story of Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, and other fictional cases of government power gone wild.
Digital History
Digital History: The New Deal in Decline
The Supreme Court, in 1935 and 1936, found unconstitutional several programs that were the backbone of the New Deal. See how President Roosevelt tried to deal with these setbacks, and the results both for him personally and for the law.
Cato Institute
Buying Justice: Plaintiffs' Lawyers Reap Huge Dividends
This writer discusses the buying of justices' impartiality by trial lawyers and calls for tort reform.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Antifederalists' Victory in Defeat
By 1788 eleven states ratified the Constitution, more than enough to put it into effect as the document establishing rules for the nation. Read about the goals of the Federalists in estabilishing a national government and find out how...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: After the Fact: Virginia, New Yok, and "The Federalist Papers"
Read about the necessity for Virginia and New York to support the ratification of the Constitution. See what influenced the vote in Virginia and how the legislature of New York was finally convinced.
iCivics
I Civics: Montesquieu Mini Lesson
Meet the Baron de Montesquieu, one of the great thinkers of the 18th century. He spent a lot of time thinking about how governments should be created and maintained. These ideas guided the Founding Fathers when they wrote the...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Malcolm X Amd the Nation of Islam
A brief biography of a leader for black power, Malcolm X. Read about his early life and conversion to the Nation of Islam. Find out what his goals were for blacks in America, and see how the means to the end was different from Martin...
Other popular searches
- Separation of Powers Game
- Civics Separation of Powers
- The Separation of Powers
- 6th Grade Separation of Powers