Curated OER
Influencing Public Policy
Pupils read the local newspaper, identify a currrent community issue and develop plans to influence the formation, development, and implementation of a policy to affect the issue. They write a biography about someone who has influenced...
Curated OER
Don't Just Dream-Act
Students create campaign materials to encourage the passage of legislation supporting higher education for immigrant minors. They produce flyers, brochures, pins and a voter presentation for a school fair. To prepare the materials they...
Heritage Foundation
Lawmaking and the Rule of the Law
How many constitutional clauses does it take to create a bill? High schoolers find out with several activities and selected clauses about the rule of law and the US Constitution. Various coinciding activities help to strengthen learning.
PBS
President Theodore Roosevelt: Foreign Policy Statesman or Bully?
Can a negative perception of a president's foreign policy harm his or her historical legacy? A project that winds the clock back to the date of Theodore Roosevelt's death puts students at the editorial desk of a fictional newspaper....
Curated OER
The Power of an MP versus Their Loyalties to the Cabinet and Caucus
Students analyze the benefits and drawbacks that the government MP faces belonging to a party caucus and their association with a powerful executive in the cabinet.
Curated OER
Behind the Scenes: The Executive Response to 9/11
Young scholars examine the actions of the executive branch following the September 11th terrorist attacks. In this U.S. government lesson, students watch segments of a video titled "Behind the Scenes: The Executive Response to 9/11."...
Curated OER
Science Under Control
Students investigate and assess scientific issues for which government regulation has been or might be enacted. Using their research, students write letters to lawmakers supporting or contesting related legislative efforts.
Curated OER
Just how broken is the Senate?
Twelfth graders examine the role of the Senate in the United States. For this American Government lesson, 12th graders read various articles and answer questions to these articles. Students write a letter to their Senator on a specific...
Curated OER
Members of Congress Who Have Made a Significant Contribution
Students examine laws that have benefited the nation in a variety of ways. The congressperson in the legislative branch of the government primarily responsible for the passage of the law and the current representatives are sought in this...
Curated OER
Zen and the Art of Murder
Pupils describe the importance of citizen involvement in the judicial system. They play the role of a witness to a crime scene by watching the video clip. Students discuss how differing eyewitness accounts can affect a police...
Curated OER
Building a Class Government Through Elections
Young scholars participate in their own classroom election to fill multiple positions. Individually, they examine campaign speeches and write their own. Once the election occurs, they must fulfill their duties as outlined in their...
Curated OER
US Constitution And Amendments
Students become familiar with the US Constitution and consider how it affects their lives. They research the Preamble to articulate the purposes of government, compile collages, and research the separation of powers within each branch of...
Curated OER
History of the Michigan Supreme Court from the Territorial Court and the founding of the Michigan Supreme Court in 1836 to Justice Mary S. Coleman and her interpretation of "One Court of Justice"
Students trace the history of the Michigan Supreme Court from when the state was still a territory. They define procedures as they relate to the Court. They compare and contrast the territorial court to the new Court.
Curated OER
The Role of Individuals and Groups in the Census
Students learn why the census makes a difference. In this U.S. Census lesson plan, students describe and explain the roles that individuals, government agencies, and partner groups play in the census.
Curated OER
A Changing of the Guard: Traditionalists, Feminists, and the New Face of Women in Congress
Young scholars explore the role of women as Congressional leaders. In this women's rights instructional activity, students identify and investigate the impact of women representatives and senators in the U.S. Legislative Branch....
Curated OER
Understanding The Work Of The Legislature
Students participate in a instructional activity that is about the operations of the legislature and how it operates on a daily basis. They conduct research using a variety of resources and use focus questions to help create the context...
Curated OER
Democracies in North America: Canada, the United States, and Mexico
Students examine democratic values. In this democracy lesson, students research the political systems of Canada, Mexico, and the United States in order to compare and contrast them. Students also discuss domestic and international events...
Curated OER
Mueller v. Allen
Students investigate a First Amendment legal case involving religion, education, and reimbursement of tuition payments. They research the background of the cases and its precedents.
Curated OER
Constitutional Issues: The Separation of Powers
Students research and stage a debate on the question: RESOLVED that the Constitution should be amended to provide for a parliamentary system of government. They debate if a parliamentary system of government might be better.
Curated OER
Procedures of the Court
Students examine the role of the Michigan Supreme Court. They diagram the procedure one must follow to bring a case before the Court. They discuss the order of business for oral arguments as well.
Curated OER
Full Court Press
Students investigate the Supreme Court's role and function in the federal government and examine how Chief Justice Rehnquist's illness might affect the future of the Court. They write letters to President Bush on the Supreme Court...
Curated OER
War Making: Executive and Legislative Powers
Students examine executive and legislative powers. In this federal powers lesson plan, students determine who has the power to wage war in the U.S. government. Students analyze the Constitution and research historical precedents...
Curated OER
Moot Court
High schoolers research and discuss court cases in preparation for Moot Court. Student attorneys research precedents involving their cases, while student justices research political ideology of Supreme Court Justices. Student attorneys...
Curated OER
Government: Missouri Bar Civics Library
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,...