The Articles of Confederation sounds like one big, fancy title to middle schoolers. Here, scaffolded steps help to ease novices into understanding this all-important American document. Discussion questions, lesson activities, and ideas...

Fourth graders examine the history of the Ohio Statehouse and order the major historical events in its development. The lesson traces the development from the time of Ohio's vast wilderness to the house's completion in 1861.

Learners receive information about laws. Some of the categories include powers of the federal government, federal powers vs. state powers, and the Bill of Rights. It is in an outline form that looks like the student follows along with...

Seventh graders explain that the judicial branch of Utah's government interprets laws and reviews the consitutionality of laws.

Sixth graders use the "Making the Grade" books, citizenship packets, and the "Ben's Guide" website to create a poster and a report on their assigned government branch. They then present their poster and report to their classmates.

The government at the local level acts as perhaps one of the most relevant government systems to many in their communities. Learners discover how the local government shapes their lives and the similarities and differences between the...

Students list the many jobs of the U.S. president and explain the reasons for them. They compare current and past roles of the chief executive of the United States.

Students are able to identify the departments and agencies within the executive branch that enforce energy policy. They are able to describe potential concerns that the executive branch must address when developing energy policy.

Students examine gays rights issues in the United States. In this gay marriage lesson, students investigate how people have made their cases before the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government to secure their...

Students discuss the three branches of government and the different levels. They talk about the purpose of laws and use the Internet to locate information about governments. They watch the video, "United States Constitution" and look up...

Students examine the structure of government in New Zealand. For this government lesson, students listen their instructor present information about the government in New Zealand then create diagrams that compare its structure to the...

Students take and defend positions on what conditions contribute to the establishment and maintenance of a constitutional government. They debate whether or not the government should have prosecuted Nixon over the Watergate scandal.

In this social studies worksheet, 4th graders answer multiple choice questions about George Washington, early America, natural resources, and more. Students complete 8 questions.

Students read, discuss and analyze the New York Times article "In Wartime, Who Has the Power?" and relate the article to the Constitution. They then brainstorm how the president and Congress make decisions about the war in Iraq and write...

Young scholars make connections between changes in voting participation and the election of 1828, and describe regional factors evidenced by the voting results of the election of 1828.

Fourth graders discuss abuse of power in government and examine the Constitution for specific powers in each branch. They create a crossword puzzle utilizing terms and information regarding division of government powers and federalism

Students become familiar with the US Constitution and consider how it affects their lives. They research the Preamble to articulate the purposes of government, compile collages, and research the separation of powers within each branch of...

Students read the newspaper article, "A Pat and a Nudge from Outgoing Chief," about President Clinton's end of term actions, then discuss it.

Students examine individual rights. In this case law lesson, students discuss the from and function of the Bill of Rights prior to investigating several cases that deal with Constitutional rights. Students discuss the outcome of the...

Students examine the Emancipation Proclamation. In this Emancipation Proclamation lesson, students examine the document and respond to 6 questions regarding it.

Students compare the powers of a U.S. president to those of leaders of other countries. They pretend they are presidential advisors and make decisions as a group as to what the president has the right do in different situations.

Students develop a constitution for a hypothetical country called Permistan by reviewing the constitutions from the other countries they have already studied.

Students analyze the career of Ulysses S. Grant. In this Grant presidency instructional activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of Grant's presidency. Students respond to discussion questions...

High schoolers research the McCarthy hearings to determine the following: time frame of hearings, how they were broadcast, how the press reacted, and how the American people reacted in light of the Korean Conflict and the Cold War.