New ReviewNot just anybody can do the job of a federal judge, but according to the United States Constitution just about anybody can be appointed. The lesson outlines the process and requirements for becoming a federal judge, focusing on the...

How long can you speak without stopping? Scholars analyze the concept of a filibuster in the United States Senate using an installment of the Legislative Branch series of mini-lessons. They research recent filibuster attempts in the...

Can the president of the United States hire anyone he or she wants for any position in the executive branch? The answer may surprise scholars! After investigating the appointment process, historians, by themselves or in pairs, analyze...

Find out the differences between presidential and midterm elections with an informative resource. Pupils discuss the importance of midterms to the presidency and how midterms affect the balance of government branches. They also fill out...

"I'm just a bill, I'm only a bill, and I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill." - Schoolhouse Rock. Scholars analyze how a bill becomes a law in the United States government and political arena. They view a short video clip, the ninth lesson...

Other than talking, what is the role of the speaker of the House of Representatives? Learners research, via a short video clip, the leadership positions in the United States government and politics. They use their knowledge to discuss...

Take your classroom debate to the Senate floor! A thorough resource teaches learners about the debate process in the Senate. After watching video clips, pupils conduct research to prepare for a peer debate.

The two major parties polarize many in America today, but it doesn't have to be that way in the classroom! Teach learners about political party platforms and modern campaigns with a mock political convention. After watching a PowerPoint...

Do your learners struggle to understand the differences between the Senate and the House of Representatives?  Help them develop an understanding of how the US Constitution's clauses affect the Senate's operations. A high-quality social...

Our elected officials are supposed to represent us, but what does it mean when they aren't like us? Budding citizens explore the demographic makeup of the US Congress, the role of money in political elections, and the Citizens United...

Set down the basics of the three branches of government with the reading passage included here. After reading, class members answer five questions related to the passage.

Athens, favored by the gods and cherished by time. The bustling present and the distant past co-exist as one in the conclusion of the History ChannelÕs three part series devoted to Athens. Mixing modern day footage with beautifully...

Where did the inspiration for the US government system come from? From the ancient Greeks and Romans, of course. Scholars define nine terms relating to Greek and Roman government, complete a graphic organizer, and list the greatest...

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

A good handout is a great find. Print this resource and hand out a simplified version of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights to your US government or US history class. The powers of the president, Congress, and the Senate are...

Although this legislative process lesson plan is designed to accompany a specific text, it is valuable independently. Young learners participate in a picture walk (worksheet included) through My Senator and Me: A Dog's-Eye View of...

Students are introduced to the principal of ministerial responsibility and identify ways in which ministers account for their actions. In this executive government lesson plan, students roleplay a situation to determine the level of...

This straightforward fill-in-the-blank activity could be used for a variety of purposes. Young historians are given 10 sentences about the branches of government; they fill in the blanks with terminology that is related to the United...

Reinforce terminology that goes along with the branches of government with this crossword puzzle. There are 17 clues provided. Learners fill in the crossword puzzle with the appropriate answers regarding the legislative, executive, and...

Explore check and balances within the branches of government with this worksheet. Learners explore the functions of each branch and answer questions concerning how a bill becomes law and about the system that the Founding Fathers...

After reading a short text on the branches of government in the United States, future voters answer 8 fill-in-the-blank questions, as well as 11 true or false questions. This worksheet would be a great homework assignment or silent...

Ninth graders explore how laws are created. They examine how committee members are selected. Students assess the influences that affect the voting of Congressional Committee Members. They identify the formal majority and minority leaders...

Reinforce your future politicians' growing knowledge about Congress and the Senate with this quiz, which could also be used as a review activity. Questions address the requirements of becoming a senator, as well as the details of Senate...

Help your students review constitutional acts in this review worksheet, which could also be used as a class quiz. Five matching questions and five multiple choice questions address checks and balances, the powers of the Senate and House,...