Interactive
US Mint

United States Mint: Branches of Power

For Students 3rd - 8th
Save the federal government from Oppressor Sam, and learn about the US Constitution to restore the three branches of government.
Activity
Other

Federal Judicial Center: Inside the Federal Courts

For Students 9th - 10th
A fantastic overview of the federal court system of the United States can be found here. Read about what the federal courts do, the difference between federal and state courts, the types of cases handled by federal courts, the structure...
Primary
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: United States Constitution: Article Ii

For Students 9th - 10th
Full text of Article II from the U.S. Constitution, as well as detailed annotations that explain the reasoning and subsequent impact of each clause and section of the Article. Content explores everything from the nature and scope of...
Unit Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Three Branches

For Students 3rd - 8th Standards
A web quest looking at how a law gets passed as it moves through the three branches of the United States government: executive, legislative, and judicial. Each page has a question to answer, and a link to a site with information specific...
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: American Government the Branches of Government

For Teachers 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This informational text passage discusses the three branches of government in the United States. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies...
Activity
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Article Iii: Judicial Power

For Students 9th - 10th
Annotations to Article III on the characteristics and attributes of judicial power as related to specific Supreme Court decisions. The author distinguishes between judicial power and jurisdiction.
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.
Handout
US Government Publishing Office

U.s. Government Publishing Office: Our American Government, 2000 Edition

For Students 9th - 10th
A popular introductory guide for American citizens and those of other countries who seek a greater understanding of our heritage of democracy. The question-and-answer format covers a broad range of topics dealing with the legislative,...
Handout
Other

George Washington's Mount Vernon: Ten Fact's About Washington's Presidency

For Students 9th - 10th
Unanimously elected President of the United States twice, George Washington played an essential part in shaping the role and function of the President of the United States. Here are ten facts about his time in office.
Website
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: The Three Branches of Government

For Students 3rd - 5th
Each of the three branches of the United States government is described - the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch.
Whiteboard
SMART Technologies

Smart: Branches of the Us Government

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This interactive lesson can be used to introduce or to review the three branches of the United States government: legislative, executive, and judicial.
Website
Other

Federal Judicial Center

For Students 9th - 10th
Travel throughout the Federal Judicial Center at this site. "The Federal Judicial Center is the education and research agency for the federal courts." This is a comprehensive site that outlines the publications, federal judicial history...
Website
US Government Publishing Office

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

For Students 3rd - 8th Standards
Cartoon Ben Franklin guides students through the U.S. government by providing short descriptions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Interactive
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Classroom: Federal Judiciary

For Students 9th - 10th
Check out this interactive timeline on the federal judiciary in the United States.
Website
Other

Govspot: Legislative Branch

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This site has an outline from Govspot of the Legislative Branch of the United States. This site links you to every part of the Judicial Branch of the United States.
Interactive
New York Times

New York Times: Crossword Puzzle: The American Judicial System

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The New York Times Learning Network has an interactive & printable crossword puzzle on The American Judicial System.
Website
Other

First Gov: Official Portal of the u.s. Government

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A launching point for information about the U.S. government and its resources. One can search FirstGov by keyword or phrase, by browsing a topics list, or by selecting a federal branch (executive, legislative, or judicial). State and...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible?

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
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.
Handout
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: History of the Supreme Court

For Students 9th - 10th
This site gives insight into both the creation of the U.S. Supreme Court as well as its transformation to its present state. Throughout the text links can be found which lead to various Supreme Court topics and information.
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Government Vocabulary

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart reviews important vocabulary regarding the three branches of the United States 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.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs: How the Supreme Court Affects the Lives of Teens (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Objectives for this lesson include describing the structure and function of the Supreme Court, looking at important decisions, and discussing recent rulings and issues.
Lesson Plan
South Carolina Educational Television

Know It All: Government Simulation

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders will complete a government simulation where they learn about the different responsibilities of each branch of government by becoming the different branches.
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Grades K 2

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Here you can learn all about the U.S. Government! Find information on our nation, how our government works, your own neighborhood, and the main government symbols. Games and other activities are also included!