Interactive
University of Richmond

American Panorama: Electing the House of Representatives 1840 2016

For Students 9th - 10th
This excellent site maps elections from 1840-2016 showing changing patterns across regions and between urban and rural areas. It offers comprehensive data on the history of Congressional elections and users can track their own district's...
Website
Other

The Federal Judiciary Homepage

For Students 9th - 10th
An overview of the Federal Court System, with an historical overview and a general description of the current system.
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.
Website
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids

For Students 3rd - 5th
Take a tour of the federal government with Uncle Sam and learn the story of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the three branches of government, and elections. Along the way learn how laws are made, about the Bill of...
Unit Plan
Indiana University

Center on Congress: Learn About Congress

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Learn about the role of the US Congress, how it works, its history, and the principles behind its creation and operation. Wonderful set of resources including FAQs, short articles and video clips, "interactive learning modules" (i.e., a...
Article
Other

Dirksen: Ten Most Important Things About the U. S. House of Representatives

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Article outlining the ten most important things one should know about the U.S. House of Representatives.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Legislative Branch

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Learners will learn about the structure, function, and powers of the legislative branch of government. They will explore the legislative process, as well as the influence of citizens and political parties. Register for a free account to...
Graphic
National Women’s History Museum

National Women's History Museum: 100 Years of Women in Congress

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the women who have served in Congress over the past 100 years.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Why Do We Have a House and Senate, Anyway?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students learn why there are two houses of Congress and discover how a bicameral legislature ensures that all states have a voice in bills.
Unknown Type
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Congressional Behavior: Foundational

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource from Khan Academy provides foundational-level practice questions over Congressional behavior. These questions are intended for students taking high school or college level American Government and Civics courses, including...
Unknown Type
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Baker v. Carr

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource from Khan Academy provides practice questions over Baker v. Carr, a Supreme Court case that addresses equality in voting districts. These questions are intended for students taking high school or college level American...
Unknown Type
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Structures, Powers, and Functions of Congress: Advanced

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource from Khan Academy provides advanced-level practice questions over the structures, powers, and functions of Congress. These practice questions are intended for students taking high school or college level American Government...
Unknown Type
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Congress: The Senate and the House of Representatives: Advanced

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource from Khan Academy provides questions about the Senate and the House of Representatives. This lesson is intended for students taking a high school or college level American Government and Civics courses, including the AP...
Activity
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Little Legislatures

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This site from the University of Groningen clearly defines the role of committees in the legislative process, as well as a brief historical perspective on congressional committees. Essays, text and biography links related to American...
Activity
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: The Legislative Branch: The Reach of Congress

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This well-written and well-organized site from The Legislative Branch provides a thorough overview of congressional powers, inherent checks and balances, as well as links to related information.
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Drafting the Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
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....
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: House Journal: Journals of the House of Representatives

For Students 9th - 10th
Link directly to the journals for each of the Congresses containing the minutes of the sessions.
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: The Constitution: Counter Revolution or National Salvation

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Using primary texts and prior study of Colonial America and the Revolution, students examine "what type of government would best represent the ideals of the American Revolution." Worksheets, discussions, and role-playing within this...
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Thomas Jefferson's Library: The Case for a National Library

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Students examine a letter written by Thomas Jefferson and identify techniques he used to persuade Congress to purchase his personal library. Students consider a selection of Jefferson's books and then write their own persuasive letters...
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: The u.s. Constitution: Governing of the u.s.

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
This unit includes four lessons using primary sources to examine continuity and change in the governing of the United States. Lessons one and two are focused on a study of the Constitution and Bill of Rights and provide access to primary...
Article
University of Chicago

The Founders' Constitution: Constitutional Convention: Introduction

For Students 9th - 10th
A lengthy and detailed article on the issues and events of the Constitutional Conventions in their attempt to amend and then replace the Articles of Confederation.
Website
US Senate

U.s. Senate Special Committee on Aging

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this resource to learn more about the Special Committee on Aging. This committee is facing many challenges including, Medicare, prescription drugs, Social Security, the Older Americans Act, and long-term care.
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.
Activity
US Census Bureau

U.s. Census Bureau: Factfinder for the Nation [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
The U.S. Census Bureau offers detailed information on the history of census taking in the U.S., what questions are asked, how data is gathered, and how it is used.