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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Separation of Powers: Checks and Balances

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the reasons for separation of powers between the branches of government. They list the branches and identify the powers and functions of each.
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Lesson Plan
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School Improvement in Maryland

Building a Pyramid

For Teachers 9th - 12th
After reviewing the structure and powers of the three branches of the US government, groups investigate a problem and research what is being done to address this criticism.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

American Government Worksheet 1

For Students 4th - 6th
In this American government worksheet, students respond to 12 true/false, 11 alphabetical order, 15 fill in the appropriate articles, 15 matching, and 1 cryptogram about the structure of the American government.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crime Time

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine fundamentals of American criminal justice by analyzing each step of the criminal process. They follow the process of a well-known or publicized criminal case in The New York Times, and keep a journal of its newspaper...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Legacy of the Warren Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the major decisions by the Supreme Court when Warren was the Chief Justice. In groups, they research the life and other works of Earl Warren and discuss how ones background can influence decisions. They also...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

COMMUNITY JUSTICE

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students investigate the place of citizens in a society. They also research the way a court system works in conjunction with law enforcement. Students apply his/her understanding and knowledge of the law enforcement and court system when...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Trial Process

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students explore the trial process as a guest speaker visits the classroom.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Congress - Courts Keeping the Balance

For Students 8th - 11th
In this checks and balances in U.S. government learning exercise, students read a 5-paragraph selection regarding Congress and the Supreme Court and then respond to 3 short answer questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Checks on Presidential Power

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine presidential powers. In this checks and balances lesson, students identify the constitutional and informal restraints of the president and consider the reasons for the limitations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American History Through the Len of the Supreme Court Decisions

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students examine the historical background of Supreme Court decisions and the basic principles behind legislation. As part of the instructional activity, students discover legal concepts and terms and write sentences using the vocabulary...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stories of Freedom and Justice: Learning Resources

For Teachers Pre-K - 12th
Students are introduce to the topic of nonviolence and civil rights by watching a video. In this stories of freedom lesson plan, students examine the Supreme Court's role in interpreting the U.S. Constitution. Students analyze how...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Independent Courts: How Important Are They?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the importance of judicial independence and how it is exercised while conducting research to gather information using different resources. The teacher discusses the importance of Law Day. They also read the handout...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who or What is Un-American?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore concepts about civil liberties, research the history of sedition-related legislation in the U.S. and create a position paper on the topic.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Supreme Court: Practice with Precedents 2010

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the term precedent in the court system.  In this American Government lesson, 11th graders research various court cases in history.  Students create a study chart that shows comparisons of these cases. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government Lesson Plan: Lesson 1

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the powers of national and state governments. They evaluate the balance of national versus state power. They utilize worksheets imbedded in this plan to gain a deeper perspective of how the government powers are separated.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government: Missouri Bar Civics Library

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students visit the Missouri bar Website to examine information about the U.S. Constitution and its Amendments. They complete a variety of activities from the provided lessons including the judiciary, Fourth Amendment issues, civil law,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Has Power?

For Teachers 4th
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
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION: A SIMULATION

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students discuss two computerized options to change the current U.S. government. In this Constitutional Convention lesson, students write a statement advocating for one of the choices and participate in a mock modern Constitutional...
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Read All About It! Supreme Court Case Makes Headlines!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners are assigned a landmark Supreme Court case to research. They construct a one-page newsletter on the case which include a summary of the case, two pictures and a short biography on one of the justices on the Court at that time.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan 5

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars identify the process of writing a case brief. They analyze the case McCulloch v Maryland. After a lecture/demo, students utilize a case study worksheet imbedded in this plan to help them explain the process of performing a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Michigan's Early History

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students use maps and lecture notes to discover the diverse history of the state of Michigan. After gathering their information, students develop interview questions that might be used to interview an elderly person in their community.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Order in the Court

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students identify the branches of government, who leads each branch and its responsibilities. They understand the role that John Marshall played in our government system. They research the role of the Supreme Court.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Formation and Function of the Supreme Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the role of the U.S. Supreme Court. They read a handout and Article III, section 1 of the Constitution, analyze and rate by relevance noteworthy Supreme Court cases, and write how they decided each rating.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

dsfa

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students work in groups examining the school's policy of no weapons on school property.