Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Docs Teach: Separation of Powers or Shared Powers

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
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...
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: How Is Power Divided in the United States Government?

For Students 4th - 8th
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]
Interactive
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Games

For Students 4th - 6th
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...
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Kids History: United States Government for Kids

For Students 3rd - 8th
Study the United States Government on this webpage. Learn about the balance of powers, the three branches, and the Constitution.
Study Guide
Ohio Test Prep

Ohio Test Prep: Module 4: Structure and Functions of the Federal Government

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Ohio test preparation module on the structure and functions of the Federal Government with video tutorial, review game and assessment.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: The Constitutional Convention Mini Lesson

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore how the U.S. government was created in the years following the Articles of Confederation.
Unit Plan
CPALMS

Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: How Are Laws Made?

For Students 7th Standards
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.
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Constitution Day Resources

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A selection of online resources from THOMAS that have to do with the US Constitution.
Unit Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Dirksen Congressional Center:congress for Kids: Introduction to the Constitution

For Students 3rd - 8th
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...
Handout
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Article Iii: Organizations of Court, Tenure, & Compensation

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource covers Article III, Section 1, which focuses on the judicial branch of the United States government.
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Government Branches

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart teaches the branches and levels of government.
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: So You Want to Be President

For Teachers 3rd - 9th
[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.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: Republicanism

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Debate and Compromise

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
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...
Interactive
iCivics

I Civics: Games: Cast Your Vote

For Students 3rd - 8th
This resource is an interactive educational game that places the players in control of all three branches of government to test their abilities to turn issues of concern into full-fledged laws. In the debate, choose the questions to help...
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: A New Nation

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
[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.
Website
Other

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma: Government

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Lesson Plan
American Bar Association

American Bar Assoc.: Separation of Powers, Connecting the Separate Powers [Pdf]

For Teachers 4th - 6th
This lesson plan involves role-playing to help the students understand the separation of powers. [PDF]
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Tough Issues

For Students 5th - 8th
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.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: Completing a Final Draft

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Anatomy of the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
This lesson plan gives an article-by-article overview of the structure and function of the U.S. Constitution. Students learn about the duties and powers of the three branches, the amendment process, and the role of the Constitution as...
Handout
Tennessee History For Kids

Tennessee History for Kids: Part Four, New Nation and Statehood

For Students 3rd - 8th
This website page includes information regarding how Tennessee became a state beginning with King George III's Proclamation of 1763 and ending with Tennessee becoming a state and moving the capitol to Knoxville.
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: The Constitution: Counter Revolution or National Salvation

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Using primary texts and prior study of Colonial America and the Revolution, students examine "what type of government would best represent the ideals of the American Revolution." Worksheets, discussions, and role-playing within this...
Website
iCivics

I Civics: Curriculum Units

For Students 9th - 10th
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...