How is federal policy established? To gain insight into this complex and often messy process, class members read an article that uses information on attempts to establish public policy in immigration to illustrate the role proposed...

Is it illegal to lie about military service? Discuss the ways the First Amendment affects the Stolen Valor Act with a lesson that focuses on the Supreme Court case U.S. v. Alvarez. As high schoolers learn more about the history of the...

To war! To war! Every nation in the history of the world has had to deal with warfare on some level. Scholars go through a series of activities and discussions surrounding the development of the Constitution to help them better...

It's all about money. Here's a resource that introduces kids to the Federal Reserve System, different coins produced by the mints, and fun facts about state coins.

Students examine simple bank transactions. In this banking lesson, students analyze banking transactions such as deposits, loans, and how they hold reserves. They participate in simulations of the process of clearing a check and the...

Eighth graders examine the United States Constitution and identify the beliefs and values Americans follow today. In groups, they compare and contrast state's rights and federal rights and the issues affecting them. They debate the...

Students study the federal government, which is divided into 3 branches. They have a minimal understanding of the responsibilities of each branch.

Students explain the Constitutional basis of the Federal Indian relationship. They summarize the Constitutional references to American Indians, and evaluate the importance of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. They examine Utah's...

How did the United States Congress determine how the new president and vice president would be named when the nation was first established? Who would provide money for the government, and how would the executive branch be organized? 

Lead your class in a discussion about how they believe money influences politics. After reading "Go Ahead, Try to Stop K Street" from the New York Times, they evaluate the claims in the article about the current lobbyist scandal in...

The Federal Reserve System as a decentralized central bank can be a difficult concept for learners to grasp. Help them get a firm handle on this concept using this resource, in which class members work as a group to identify the...

Who has the power? Scholars investigate the creation of the three branches of government in the United States Constitution. They analyze just why the framers created the branches the way they did.

In this checks and balances in U.S. government worksheet, students read a 4-paragraph selection regarding the Supreme Court and then respond to 5 fill in the blank questions.

Seventh graders examine the Great Depression and federal relief programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps. Focusing on Texas, they assess the effects on poor farmers and discuss what they would do for a living had they lived in...

Students investigate the concept of the Federal Legislative Process. This is done through the use of research on approved class websites. The lesson plan gives the option of developing other resources for students to use for the teacher...

Students explore the impact of the Federal Reserve Bank. In this central bank activity, students read specific selections out of their textbooks about the history of the bank and its role in the U.S economy. Students then select 1 of 7...

In this U.S. history instructional activity, high schoolers read assigned textbook pages about the country from 1789-1815 and respond to 36 short answer questions.

Students explore the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution. In this government lesson, students write a preamble to encourage cooperation in their classroom as they study the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution.

Students take a close look at the foundations of American government. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students analyze the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution. Students participate in a...

In this U.S. history worksheet, high schoolers read assigned textbook pages regarding New Deal policies and respond to 47 short answer questions.

Students discover the Missouri River and its importance during the Civil War.  In this U.S. history lesson, students examine a map of the great Battle of Lexington, and discuss why the Missouri River was a key element to the...

Students examine the impeachment proceedings of Andrew Johnson. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture on the details of Andrew Johnson's impeachment and Reconstruction. Students...

Young scholars explore the U.S. Constitution through music. In this Bill of Rights lesson plan, students discuss a hypothetical case regarding lyrics by Madonna and the historical Massachusetts Blue Laws. Young scholars use the Bill of...

Students receive an overview of the role and purpose of taxes in American history. They identify different types of taxes implemented by the US government and explain the origin of the federal income tax.