Curated OER
Lesson 2: The Tired King
Students are introduced to the three functions of government (legislative, judicial, and executive). They read and discuss a story about an overworked king who must handle all the tasks of government. Students give a description of the...
Curated OER
Checks and Balances in Supreme Court Nominations
Students discover the system of Checks and Balances related to recent events prompting action by one or more of the three branches of government. They study the process for selecting and confirming a Supreme Court justice. They examine...
Curated OER
Early Presidents and Politics
Students investigate early presidents of the United States. Students complete a series of lessons in which they research the contributions and political climate during the terms of U.S. presidents from George Washington to Andrew Jackson.
Curated OER
Conferences and General Courses Framework for the Law Elective: Mainstreaming Law-Related Opportunities in the Local Curriculum
Students study background information on the laws and customs that make up our legal system, our legislative system, and our executive branches of government.
Curated OER
Branches of Government
In this history worksheet, students list the duties and jobs of each branch of government and then write facts about the branches of government in complete sentences on the lines provided.
American Constitution Society
Constitution in the Classroom: The Right to Vote
The system of checks and balances is integral to the functionality of the United States government. Learn more about the ways the three branches of the government work together—and about the limitations of their power—with an informative...
Administrative Office of the US Courts
US v. Alvarez
Is it illegal to lie about military service? Discuss the ways the First Amendment affects the Stolen Valor Act with a lesson that focuses on the Supreme Court case U.S. v. Alvarez. As high schoolers learn more about the history of the...
iCivics
Governing Communities
The government at the local level acts as perhaps one of the most relevant government systems to many in their communities. Learners discover how the local government shapes their lives and the similarities and differences between the...
Judicial Learning Center
About Federal Judges
Not 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...
California Department of Education
Exploring Military Career Options
A whole world of career options await in the armed forces! Lesson three in a six-part career and college readiness series introduces eighth grade scholars to military careers. Individuals research the entry requirements for the armed...
Curated OER
Everyone Wants to Be President
How can you help your class understand the breadth of duties and the challenges of being the leader of the United States?
Curated OER
The American Revolution: 1775 - 1783
Track the ins and outs and wartime strategies used by both the British and the Americans during the Revolutionary War. Multiple comparisons are made between both factions, maps, statistical data, images, and light text is used throughout...
Curated OER
Government Agencies
Students are taught that there is more to executive branch of the federal government than the president and cabinet. They identify in pairs the names and fucntions of different departments under the executive branch of federal...
Curated OER
Behind the Scenes: The Executive Response to 9/11
Students 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." Students...
Curated OER
Bureau Stats
Students explore the role of bureaucracy in United States government; they then examine the history, leadership, organization, and goals of executive agencies.
Curated OER
Three Branches of Government
For this United States government worksheet, 5th graders examine a diagram of, and read about the three branches of government. They read about the Supreme Court, Congress, and the President before answering 10 online fill in the blank...
Curated OER
Makers of the Law, The Legislative Branch
Students, in teams, research the legislative branch and complete a "Legislative Information List." Teams research different parts of the list and jigsaw teach the other groups about each part. One group researches names of state officials.
Curated OER
Political Parties and What They Do
The emerging politicians in your government might be familiar with the words "Democrat" and "Republican," but what do they really know about the role of political parties in America? Use this activity to reinforce information from your...
Curated OER
First Grade Visits...Washington DC
Take your first graders on a virtual trip to around Washington, DC. This presentation provides illustrated slides featuring a map showing the location of Washington, DC, the White House, and some of the more famous memorials and...
Curated OER
War Making: Executive and Legislative Powers
Students examine Constitution and what it says about war-making power, contrast roles and responsibilities of executive and legislative branches of government when it comes to making war, become familiar with important 20th and 21st...
Curated OER
The Roles of the President
Students explore presidential duties. In this executive branch lesson, students examine myths regarding the role of the President of the United States and discuss them. Students view a PowerPoint presentation that feature the President's...
Curated OER
How Can the President Influence Legislation?
Pupils examine presidential powers. In this Executive Branch lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture on the president's influence on legislation as they view a 7-slide PowerPoint presentation.
School Improvement in Maryland
Building a Pyramid
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.