This lesson plan will help you understand why the Founders thought a republican form of government was best. Students will also learn about civic virtue and the common welfare.

These are discussion topics to incorporate into your lesson plan on rights and responsibilities of citizens. Features questions to encourage debates or essay ideas. Also includes lesson plans.

Suppose the government does everything it can to protect people's rights. Is this enough? Will their rights be protected? Do we have any responsibility to protect not only our own rights, but each other's as well? This lesson looks at...

This lesson introduces students to some of the basic ideas which were of great importance to the Founders. They used these ideas when they developed the American government. Students will learn why they thought a government was needed in...

The founding fathers studied different forms of government throughout history to come up with the best form of government for our new nation. They decided a republic suited our nation the best. Find out the advantages of this type of...

This impressive lesson plan incorporates listening to music, critical thinking, collaboration and community participation for students to understand good citizenship.

In this lesson, students will explore the varied functions and structures of local government as well as explore the services provided in their own municipality and beyond.

The ratification debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists gives us insight into the ideas behind both sides and a better understanding of how our government developed in its early years.

Students will learn about the electoral advantage that favors incumbents and the benefits and drawbacks of reelecting members of Congress.

In this lesson, students explore how colonial government was both similar to and different from government in Britain and how it influenced the government we have today.

Students will develop an understanding of negotiation, sanctions, and other elements used in diplomatic relationships.

Lesson teaches the judicial philosophies of activism and restraint and also explores criteria through which students can evaluate news-related opinion pieces and practice judging the value of a Supreme Court-related opinion piece of choice.

In the opening activity, students are challenged to create a succession plan for their school principal. The class then reviews the official presidential line of succession and reads about its origins.

Students discover that states have their own governments and powers separate from the federal government. They learn what those powers are, how they're different from the federal government's powers, and that state governments also give...

Learn about the different forms of government that exist, including democracy, autocracy, oligarchy, and others. Compare and contrast these forms, and look at real-life examples in the world today.

This lesson explores the case that established the power the Supreme Court has today. Students will learn how the decision in Marbury v. Madison influenced the structure of the third branch, and how the Court's use of judicial review can...

Students explore how and when we got the present day border between the United States and Canada. They learn how it happened, what tensions were involved, and how Native Americans were affected.

Explores the presidential veto and pocket veto powers, their role as a negotiating tool, and the Congressional veto override process. Students also learn how to use fact-checking and triangulation to evaluate news claims and detect...

In the debate over the Constitution, the Bill of Rights was a deal-breaker. In this lesson, students learn why the federalists thought the Constitution didn't need a bill of rights and why the anti-federalists refused to accept the...

In this map-based lesson, students learn the historic importance of the Mississippi River, why the U.S. was determined to maintain access, and how the United States acquired the land that made up the Louisiana Purchase.

Discover the history behind the "First 100 Days" and its impact on the American presidency. Students will evaluate the fairness of judging presidents based on this somewhat arbitrary time period.

Students will learn about the ideology of Manifest Destiny and how it affected different populations and demographics of the U.S. during its expansion.

As sovereign nations, American Indian and Alaska Native tribes develop and manage their own governments. This instructional activity examines the varied structures and functions of tribal government as well as the relationship these...

Use this activity to help your students view any political debate from local to national, historical to live broadcast. Preview candidates, issues, expectations, and details about the location and moderators. Track what the candidates...