Cynthia J. O'Hora
Mrs. O's House: Government Evaluate Your Senator or Representative
How much do you know about your state legislators? Are they living up to their promises? Are they making good choices that represent the wants and needs of the state? This lesson encourages students to do some fact finding on elected...
Other
Department of Commerce United States of Government
Explore the United States Department of Commerce through this site in English and Spanish. This is a comprehensive site providing information about the US Department of Commerce.
Other
Vermont: Official State Homepage
Here you can learn the most current information about Vermont's state government. Includes links to homepages of federal, judicial, and executive branches. Also includes extensive information about tourism and recreational activities....
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Cabinet
Outline of the Executive Branch Cabinet offices and date created.
US Department of the Treasury
U.s. Department of Treasury Education
"We are pleased to welcome you to Treasury's Learning Vault, where you can learn all about the history of the Treasury Department, its role in the Federal government, and its mission to serve you."
The White House
The White House: Federal Agencies & Commissions
A brief description of federal agencies and commissions with a link to a complete list of them.
Digital History
Digital History: Majority Rule vs. Checks and Balances [Pdf]
It is interesting to read how the delegates to the Constitutional Convention thought as they debated important issues such as the checks and balances that should be written into the new Constitution. Read these conversations based on...
Cynthia J. O'Hora
Mrs. O's House: Government Travel and Staffers
Who should pay for politicians traveling before it violates ethical codes of abuse of power? Legislators and their staff were offered and accepted millions of dollars worth of free trips. This instructional activity explores the ethics...
Digital History
Digital History: Republicanism
The framers of the Constitution had a great distaste for the monarchial society of Great Britain. See how this was reflected in the checks and balances they wrote into the Constitution in an effort to create a working republic.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Government Buildings: The Supreme Court
Offers a brief history and detailed description of the Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: How Constitution Used to Organize the New Govt [Pdf]
This lesson describes how, using the guidelines provided in the Constitution, the First Congress in April 1789 named the new president and vice president, provided funding for the new government, organized the executive branch, organized...
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Dirksen Congressional Center:congress for Kids: Introduction to the Constitution
Explore the history of the United States Constitution: information about the writing the Constitution, the Great Compromise, the Constitution's signers, the Bill of Rights, the Amendments to the Constitution, federal powers, checks and...
Other
U.s. Office of Special Counsel: Hatch Act
This comprehensive resource details the provisions of the Hatch Act of 1939 and how this affects the political behavior of government employees.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible?
This unit explores the timeless qualities of The U.S. Constitution, the opportunities to amend it, and how it is a pillar of the American identity, through these activities, videos, and outside resources.
US National Archives
National Archives: The Constitution in Action: Article Ii
This activity can be used during a unit on the U.S. Constitution. Young scholars will analyze the Senate Journal of the First Congress and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article II of the Constitution in...
iCivics
I Civics: Nationbuilder in Chief
Students learn about some of the decisions and actions the first presidential administrations took to make sure the United States would be strong enough to last.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The United States Capitol Building
A comprehensive site that provides three lesson plans which explain what takes place in the U.S. Capitol Building. This thorough site describes the function of the Capitol Building and includes many photos of both the building itself and...
A&E Television
History.com: How the u.s. Constitution Has Changed and Expanded Since 1787
Through amendments and legal rulings, the Constitution has transformed in some critical ways. The U.S. Constitution, written in 1787 and ratified by nine of the original 13 states a year later, is the world's longest-surviving written...
Library of Congress
Loc: George Washington to the United States Senate, 1789
A summary of Washington's task to appoint Supreme Court and other federal judicial officials, appointments which he based on relevant experience, their support for the constitution, and on where they lived. Includes images of a...
US Navy
U.s. Military History and National Security
An internet guide to US military history and national security. Includes links to the history of the US armed forces and specific branches as well as information on the different federal organizations involved in national security.
New York Times
New York Times: Crossword Puzzle: The American Judicial System
The New York Times Learning Network has an interactive & printable crossword puzzle on The American Judicial System.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Courts of Appeals and District Courts
Overview of the structure and purpose of the Courts of Appeals and District Courts.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Supreme Court
Discussion overview illustrating the structure and powers of the Supreme Court as written in the U.S. Constitution.
PBS
Pbs: How the Supreme Court Affects the Lives of Teens (Lesson Plan)
Objectives for this lesson include describing the structure and function of the Supreme Court, looking at important decisions, and discussing recent rulings and issues.