Judicial Learning Center
Article III and the Courts
What's the best way to make sense of the Constitution? A helpful lesson contains both the text of Article III and annotation of each of its sections, breaking it down into easy-to-understand parts. It also includes links to a...
Curated OER
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Limited Government
Students write a letter to King George III from the point of view of Thomas Jefferson. They defend constitutional democracy and explain the differences between limited and unlimited government.
Curated OER
Celebrate Constitution Day
Learners examine the constitutions structure, content, and underlying philosophy by skimming through as a class then breaking into groups to focus on separate articles. To reinforce learning they individually analyze constitutional...
Curated OER
The U.S. Constitution Power Grab Game
Learners study the powers and limitations of the three branches of the American government. They explain how the system of "checks and balances" protects the individual citizens. They explain how the amendments to the Constitution...
Curated OER
How Has the Constitution Shaped the Economic System in the United States?
Students examine the characteristics of market economies. In this United States economics lesson, students analyze the Constitution to understand how it contributes to the market economy established in the United States. Students...
Curated OER
US Government: The Constitution
Students explore the branches of government. In this U. S. Constitution lesson plan, students examine the system of checks and balances in the U.S. plan of government as they read the document and define vocabulary words.
Curated OER
Introduction to the Constitution: The First Three Articles of the Constitution, Separation of Powers
Young scholars review the first three articles of the United States Constitution. In groups, they examine the three branches of government and their function. They follow the path of a bill until it becomes law and discuss Congress' role.
Curated OER
Constitutional Convention
Eighth graders investigate Constitutional Convention debates. In this early American history lesson, 8th graders analyze speeches delivered by Benjamin Franklin at the convention and then research Franklin's life. Students also...
Curated OER
The Constitution and The Bill of Rights
Students explore the Constitution, the convention and the Bill of Rights with a wide variety of on-line activities including the framers, primary sources, court cases and games.
Curated OER
We the People Level 2
Young scholars explore U.S. history by participating in a government activity. In this Constitution lesson, students identify the role government plays in our society and the differences the British colonies had in the early 18th...
Curated OER
Does My Hair Disrupt Your Learning
Pupils research the laws and policies for school dress codes in their school and others in their state or area and explore what others say about these policies. After research is complete, students divide into two teams to develop...
Curated OER
Hiibel vs. Sixth Judicial District Court of Nevada
Did Hiibel's arrest and conviction for not telling a police officer his name violate his rights? Have your learners read a short description of the case and answer the comprehension questions that follow. Resource links and...
Curated OER
The Senate
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...
Curated OER
Supreme court Decisions on Freedom of Religion
Eleventh graders analyze the limits and bounds of religious freedom issues in the United States through several Supreme Court case decisions.
Heritage Foundation
The House of Representatives
The House of Representatives has a lot of responsibility in the United States government. But how did it all begin, and why is it the way it is now? A comprehensive lesson answers all of these questions about the US Constitution...
National Constitution Center
The Development and Application of the First Amendment
What are the limits on freedom of speech? While a cherished right in the Constitution, it is not unbridled. Budding historians consider what checks should exist on this liberty using news stories, court cases, and College Board prompts.
Curated OER
Limits of Power
Students examine the importance of limiting power in governments. In this government instructional activity, students investigate the importance of placing limits on government by looking at the US Constitution. They look at ways that...
Curated OER
Teaching Six Big Ideas in the Constitution
Students debate the constitutional principles of the United States. In this U.S. government lesson, students examine the meaning of the text of the U.S. Constitution and analyze other primary documents of the era. Students prepare for...
National Endowment for the Humanities
James Madison: Madison Was There
Madison was there! Scholars go on a journey to discover the person behind the founding father label as they explore James Madison's role in the formation of the United States government. The culmination is a writing assignment and...
Deliberating in a Democracy
Cyberbullying—Alternate Lesson Plan
Should schools be permitted to punish young scholars for off-campus cyberbullying? After reading a passage that details statistics about cyberbullying and Supreme Court rulings about schools' ability to limit student speech,...
iCivics
The “Supreme” in Supreme Court
Does a public school have the right to restrict what t-shirts students wear? Discover what happened when this question was brought to the Supreme Court, and review other major cases in United States history involving judicial review....
Curated OER
Government Reform - Term Limits
Students consider the need for term limits. In this U.S. government lesson, students read selected articles about the pros and cons of term limits. Students then survey their class regarding their opinion of term limits. Students...
Curated OER
Citizenship Worksheet 2 - A Government of Laws
In this citizenship and government laws worksheet, learners identify what the United States government provides for its citizens, the foundations of that government, the principles of the Constitution, any amendments to the Constitution,...
Curated OER
Reflections on Judicial Power - Part I
Students research the Constitutional provision for the Judicial branch of government. They examine different U.S. founder's positions on the relative strength of the judicial branch and act as a review court for Marbury vs. Madison.