The divide between federal and state government is responsible for much of tension that continues to this day, partly because of the US Constitution. The activities in the 14th lesson in a series of 20 are designed to help learners...

Consider how America's founding fathers and their experiences contributed to the rights we all enjoy today. A collection of reading, writing, and collaborative exercises prompt high schoolers to think about the ways their current lives...

Students consider the importance and influence of congressional committees. They research congressional committee assignments, jurisdictions and responsibilities as illustrations of the basic principles of American federalism.

Federalism divides power to protect individual rights while giving the government enough power to be effective. The concept comes from a balance the Founding Fathers struck between authority and freedom. Scholars explore the relationship...

The Founding Fathers are larger than life in history books, but an engaging video resource brings them up close to your pupils. As viewers meet the founders in the National Constitution Center's Signers' Hall, they learn about the...

How do the state and federal governments relate to each other? The Constitution has a lot to say about that! Using an interactive online tool, pupils explore the Tenth Amendment. They apply their knowledge to political cartoons and news...

How have urban planners tried to attract people to cities? What can be done about booming birth rates in some parts of the world? How does a country's political structure affect the well being of its people? Scholars investigate these...

Who has the power? Learners investigate the concept of federalism in the United States government and politics. They view a short video to understand and discuss the concept of who controls the laws around health care, taxes, and even...

Viewers examine the court case McCulloch vs. Maryland. They investigate the power of the federal government to tax and create a national banking system in the United States, and find that the case would reshape the roles of both the...

Should states or the federal government have more power? With this fantastic online interactive, your pupils will be charged with the task of identifying arguments that support either federal or state power.

Beginning with an intriguing anticipatory question on whether the teacher or the school handbook has more authority, your young citizens will proceed to discover how the landmark case McCulloch v. Maryland defined the supremacy of the...

What a unique and creative way for class members to summarize what they have learned about the United States Constitution! Here you will find project guidelines for learners to work independently on designing a float to represent a topic...

Keep track of constitutional principles with a graphic organizer. Pupils define, describe the origins of, and note down the location of the following terms: checks and balances, federalism, individual rights, limited government, popular...

Using a federal power cheat sheet and readings on delegated powers of the national government in the United States, your young citizens will evaluate a hypothetical list of proposed laws for the state of "Pendiana". They will then...

Here is a standard multiple-choice test that covers important democratic events and institutions in the history of the United States. Topics covered include federalism, organization and contents of the Constitution, and major Supreme...

What is the difference between federalism and nationalism and how did those differences shape the US Constitution? This is the focus of lecture five in a series on understanding the US Constitution. Centralized powers, the role of the...

What better way to review the development of American government, than with a game? Play a Millionaire-style game to review topics like, the Bill of Rights, the branches of government, the Articles of Confederation, and federalism....

Students explore that there have been times during the history of the US when ,in response to real and perceived threats, both domestic and foreign, our country has responded by passing legislation. Students trace the fundamental rights...

Although we currently focus on Abraham Lincoln's positive contributions in creating a more equal society, the truth is that Lincoln was actually a controversial character in his time! After studying the Civil War, give your high...

Twelfth graders examine how the Constitution ensures individual rights. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, 12th graders consider separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, and popular sovereignty as they create graphics and...

Twelfth graders examine federal and state powers. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, 12th graders read excerpts of the Federalist Papers and discuss the "Supremacy Clause." Students respond to questions about the roles of federal and...

Sensitive material is discussed in this lesson. Please review to ensure that the content is suitable for your class. The topic is the Eighth Amendment and how the U.S. Supreme Court makes determinations about what constitutes cruel and...