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...

Learners learn the roles and responsibilities of each branch of government and where the checks and balances are located in this role-playing instructional activity. Requires Adobe Reader.

In this activity, learners 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...

This interactive lesson gives students a quick snapshot of the Constitution, including the purpose of each article, the powers of the three branches, how a bill becomes a law, and the concepts of separation of powers and checks and...

Cartoon Ben Franklin guides students through the U.S. government by providing short descriptions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

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...

Video accompanied by questions for students that looks at how the concept of separation of powers embedded in the Constitution is applied in the United States government. [3:50]

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...

Study the United States Government on this webpage. Learn about the balance of powers, the three branches, and the Constitution.

Ohio test preparation module on the structure and functions of the Federal Government with video tutorial, review game and assessment.

Students explore how the U.S. government was created in the years following the Articles of Confederation.

A tutorial that explains the process that must be followed in order for a new law to be made. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.

A selection of online resources from THOMAS that have to do with the US 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...

This resource covers Article III, Section 1, which focuses on the judicial branch of the United States government.

[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart teaches the branches and levels of government.

[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart reviews the three branches of government and the qualifications to become President of the United States. Student assessment items are included.

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.

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...

[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart reviews the 3 main branches of government and its system of checks and balances. Web links and 3tudent assessment items are included.

The Choctaw Nation's governing structure is set forth in its revised 1984 constitution. Like the U.S. government, there are three branches, executive, legislative and judicial. Read about how the tribal government of this Choctaw Nation...

This lesson involves role-playing to help the students understand the separation of powers. [PDF]

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.

Read about the committee that produced a final draft of the Constitution to present to the entire Constitutional Convention. Find out what the delegates to the convention kept in the final draft and what they changed.