US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: President of the u.s. Requirements & Term
A short paragraph on the requirements for holding the president or vice-president position. There is also a paragraph on the number of terms they can serve.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The United States Capitol Building
A comprehensive site that provides three lesson plans which explain what takes place in the U.S. Capitol Building. This thorough site describes the function of the Capitol Building and includes many photos of both the building itself and...
Digital History
Digital History: Republicanism
The framers of the Constitution had a great distaste for the monarchial society of Great Britain. See how this was reflected in the checks and balances they wrote into the Constitution in an effort to create a working republic.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Us House of Representatives Facts
Detailed facts and information provide a quick overview of how the US House of Representatives, a part of Congress, works.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Anti Railroad Propaganda Poster
From the National Archives and Records Administration site, this lesson, focusing on a poster circulated in Philadelphia in 1839 to discourage the coming of the railroad, relates to the struggle to define the powers of the national and...
US Department of State
Info Usa: Foreign Trade and Global Economic Policies
U.S. foreign trade and global economic policies have changed direction dramatically during the more than two centuries that the United States has been a country. In the early days of the nation's history, government and business mostly...
Other
Federal Executive Departments
A complete list of the executive departments and their branches. Clicking on the name of the department will take you to that home page.
iCivics
I Civics: Curriculum Units
A large collection of Social Studies units, WebQuests, and games that focuses on teaching students how government works and the importance of being responsible, informed American citizens. Units are linked to state standards. A teacher...
Other
Data: Empowering People
Find, download, and use datasets generated by the executive branch of the U.S. federal government to learn about our nation and the world.
C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: Inquiries: The President
A comprehensive learning module on government that includes three supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance task. Students look at leaders at the different levels of...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: Article I
Complete text of Article I, sections 1-10, of the U.S. Constitution, establishing the Legislative Branch of the Federal government.
The White House
The White House: Council of Economic Advisers
Official website for the United States Council of Economic Advisers, which advises the President on economic matters. Use the links on the left side to get more background on the Council. Has a link for kids.
This Nation
This nation.com: Executive Order 13132 of August 4, 1999
This Executive Order signed by President Bill Clinton on 8/4/99 is an order that describes the balance between state and federal governments, as warranted by the Framers of the Constitution and federalism.
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: The Reach of Congressional Power
Read about the privileges and powers exercised by Congress from a constitutional law perspective. Includes examples of many cases which have tested the limits of Congressional power in the history of the United States. Many links to...
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Dirksen Congressional Center:congress for Kids: Introduction to the Constitution
Explore the history of the United States Constitution: information about the writing the Constitution, the Great Compromise, the Constitution's signers, the Bill of Rights, the Amendments to the Constitution, federal powers, checks and...
Other
Texas Bob: The Governors of Texas
A list of every Texas governor beginning in 1846 when Texas entered the union as a state, to the present governor.
US Department of State
Office of the Historian: Constitutional Convention and Ratification
Among the many weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation was the inability of the government to conduct foreign policy in an effective manner. Find out how the Constitutional Convention addressed this issue by allowing the Executive...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Montgomery Field Trip Tour Book
During this lesson, students explore the functions of our government through the Internet, slideshow presentations, and by visiting Alabama's capital city of Montgomery. Students will use their field trip as a guide to create a tour book...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Extra! Extra! Supreme Court Case Makes Headlines!
This is a project to conclude the study of the Judicial Branch of our government. The students, working in pairs, will be assigned a landmark Supreme Court case to research in a computer lab setting. They will then construct a one-page...
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.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress Link: Lesson Plans
The Dirksen Congressional Center provides abundant lesson plans on all aspects of the US Congress and the US Constitution. All lessons contain time frames, objectives, and links to material, and are built around Bloom's taxonomy.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Tough Issues
Read about the change of plans when delegates to the Philadelphia convention decided to write a new constitution to replace the Articles of Convention. See the ideas delegates had to address concerns of large and small states.
Other
A Republic, if You Can Keep It
An essay by U.S. Congressional Representative Ron Paul of Texas on the state of the American republic delivered at the dawn of the twenty-first century. He argues for the strong separation of powers among the three branches of government...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: The Constitutional Convention
Travel back to 1787 and become a delegate to the convention in Philadelphia. As the Founding Fathers struggle to decide how the young nation will be governed, explore how very different men representing their states' conflicting...