Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: Article I
Complete text of Article I, sections 1-10, of the U.S. Constitution, establishing the Legislative Branch of the Federal government.
iCivics
I Civics: Anatomy of the Constitution
This lesson 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 the...
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Delegates to the Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention of May 1787 is explained in kid-friendly terms. Suggestions for research projects, resource links and some activities are included. The rest of the site has lots more information on the US government.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Constitution: The Work Begins
Discover how the Constitution was initiated and read about the Constitutional Congress. After learning about the beginning stages of the Constitution, take a quiz to show your learning.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Centralized vs. Decentralized Rule: The Articles of Confederation
Activity comparing the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution. Using a variety of articles, students research and create a chart with explanations and critical comparisons of the two governing documents.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Signing the Constitution
This site has a brief summary that describes the delegates to the Constitutional Convention. This group is sometimes called the "Founding Fathers."
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress Link: Lesson Plans
The Dirksen Congressional Center provides abundant lesson plans on all aspects of the US Congress and the US Constitution. All lessons contain time frames, objectives, and links to material, and are built around Bloom's taxonomy.
Other
Angelo State University: Constitutional Government
An outline of the key points in a lecture that looks at the differences between the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution.
Ohio State University
Osu History Teaching Institute: Articles of Confederation vs. the u.s. Constitution
Fourth graders will be introduced to the primary documents of the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution. They will figure out the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and compare them to the US Constitution. Students...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The Articles of Confederation, 1781
Gives a nice history of the Articles and also a summary of what they were and the problems that developed with their adoption. Includes links to the actual document.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Roles and Powers of the President: Foundational
This resource from Khan Academy provides foundational practice questions the roles and powers of the president. These questions are intended for students taking high school or college level American Government and Civics courses,...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Challenges of the Articles of Confederation
This resource from Khan Academy provides a study resource about the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, Shay's Rebellion, and the needed call for a new Constitution. These questions are intended for students taking high school...
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: The Reach of Congressional Power
Read about the privileges and powers exercised by Congress from a constitutional law perspective. Includes examples of many cases which have tested the limits of Congressional power in the history of the United States. Many links to...
Other
Teach Us History: Indian Removal
A lesson plan unit that looks at the efforts of the Cherokee Nation in Georgia between 1817 and 1827 to establish their own system of governance and to keep their lands from being ceded. Even though the Supreme Court ultimately ruled in...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: King and Parliament in Medieval England
Activity in which students read and write about the development of democratic ideas in Medieval England, then in small groups, compare U.K. Parliamentary system to U.S. Presidential system.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: 10th Amendment
Short, simple summary with the full text of the 10th amendment of the Bill of Rights that states that any powers that the Constitution does not give to the US government, belong to the individual states and the people.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Drafting the Constitution
Essay covers from the Articles of Confederation and the problems of disunity of the new states after the Revolutionary War, internally as well as externally, to the Constitutional Convention, an attempt to address the Articles' problems....
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1754 1800: The Constitutional Convention
Shortly after the end of the Revolutionary War, American leaders realized that the nation needed a new, stronger Constitution. But what would the new system of government look like?
The History Cat
The History Cat: The Constitutional Convention: Creating the Constitution
Explains why the Articles of Confederation were not strong enough to hold the country together. One result was a farmers' rebellion in Massachusetts led by Daniel Shays, which was precipitated by a debt crisis that caused many farmers to...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Ratifying the Constitution
The delegates to the Constititional Convention produced a new governing document for the new United States. Read about how they determined to take the ratification process to the people of the states.
Oswego City School District
Regents Exam Prep Center: Introduction to u.s. Government
Explore the ideas and principles of American government including its influences, foundation, and basic tenets (such as checks and balances and federalism).
Library of Congress
Loc: Colorado State and Local Government
The Library of Congress provides information on the state government of Colorado, including its state legislature, judiciary, executive branch, constitution, legal guides, and general sources.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Legislative Branch: The House of Representatives (6 8)
Explores how the House of Representatives was formed, how membership is decided, qualifications, and its special jobs.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: President's Legislative Powers
An easy-to-understand discussion on the actual legislative powers of the president and the veto. Includes related links.