Curated OER
Constitutional Issues: The Separation of Powers
Students research and stage a debate on the question: RESOLVED that the Constitution should be amended to provide for a parliamentary system of government. They debate if a parliamentary system of government might be better.
Curated OER
Citizenship Worksheet 2 - A Government of Laws
In this citizenship and government laws worksheet, students identify what the United States government provides for its citizens, the foundations of that government, the principles of the Constitution, any amendments to the Constitution,...
Curated OER
Lobbying
Young scholars examine the role of lobbyists in Washington, D.C. For this Legislative Branch lesson, students watch video segments and read excerpts about lobbying. Young scholars write essays that explore the pros and cons of...
Curated OER
Local Government: Caring for Your Community
Seventh graders investigate the role of local governments. In this government lesson, 7th graders examine historical photographs and determine what services are being performed in the photographs. Students research how the...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Defining the Separation of Power
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.
Curated OER
Democracy and Representative Government
Students complete a worksheet about the government and identify the characteristics of different governments. In this government lesson plan, students define representative democracy and complete a worksheet.
Curated OER
Advanced Matching-united States Government Part 1
In this U.S. government worksheet, 5th graders study the different branches of government. Students match 13 terms to the correct definition that is provided.
Curated OER
Chapter 2 Test: Government and The Economy
In this US government and economy activity, students complete a chapter test. They match words associated with the topic to their definitions. They list the three main branches of the government, describe the role of the President, tell...
Curated OER
Leaders in the Legislative Branch
Students read case studies about the leaders in the legislative branch of government. After reading the studies, they discover how the leaders have compromised on issues to best serve their states. They answer discussion questions and...
Curated OER
Why a President? Why not a King?
Students research how and why a country elects to have an executive branch of the government. They study the office of the Presidency of the US.
Curated OER
George Washington and the Rule of Law
students compare The rule of law with the rule of men and consider life under each of these types of governments.In this government lesson, students read a primary source to examine the importance of the rule of law.They will also answer...
Curated OER
The President's Roles and Responsibilities: Communicating with the President
Students examine the roles and responsibilities of the U.S. president and their own roles as citizens of a democracy. They explore various websites, listen to a State of the Union address, and write a letter to the President of the...
iCivics
Constitution Day
Celebrate Constitution Day, September 17, with an activity that asks class members to identify the responsibilities of the three branches of the U.S. government.
Curated OER
Reconstruction (1865-1876)
Easily broken into pieces for several class sessions, this presentation is a great way to transition your class out of a Civil War unit and closer to the 20th century. Engaging photographs, including relevant maps and humorous political...
Bill of Rights Institute
Celebrate Constitution Day
September 17 is a great day to focus on the US Constitution for on this day in 1787, the Constitution was signed. Through a series of activities, high schoolers get a chance to look closely at this famous document and the rights and...
Curated OER
U.S. Constitution and Amendments
Students explore the framework of government and examine the Constitution to see its impact on their lives.
National Endowment for the Humanities
George Washington: The Precedent President
Everyone knows that George Washington was the first president, but do your scholars know why that was so important? The lesson plan, the third in a sequence of three, allows learners to understand how George Washington set a precedent...
Curated OER
Indiana Courts: How Do They Work?
High schoolers identify the branches of Indiana's judicial system and determine the differences between the different courts and different types of cases. Students create a flow chart showing how a court case works its way through the...
Judicial Learning Center
Your 1st Amendment Rights
Why should classes care about the First Amendment? An engaging lesson serves as a powerful tool for answering just that. As all four cases in the lesson relate directly to freedom of expression in schools, young scholars explore the...
Judicial Learning Center
The Judge and the Jury
Unless you are a lawyer, you might not understand just how unrealistic Law and Order and other legal dramas actually are. Here's a great resource to help scholars of criminology gain a more realistic perspective. The lesson outlines the...
Judicial Learning Center
Civil Rights and Equal Protection
Almost every American is familiar with the Supreme Court case of Brown vs. Board of Education. Far fewer understand the constitutional reasoning or the wide-ranging consequences of the ruling in the field of criminology. The interesting...
Curated OER
Separation of Powers
Students examine the separation of powers in local and federal government. Using case studies, they review several instances of separation of powers. After reading the case studies, they write a brief opinion essays supporting their...
Curated OER
Twelve Angry Men: Trial by Jury as a Right and as a Political Institution
Students explore the constitutional guarantee of the right to trial by jury. In this U. S. Constitution lesson, students read or view Twelve Angry Men and respond to discussion questions regarding the jury. Students examine the...
Curated OER
Why Does Congress Work That Way?
Students discover the powers of Congress. In this legislative branch lesson, students examine the legislative process as they analyze Article I of the U.S. Constitution. Students consider the powers of Congress as they define the role of...