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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 3: Branches of Government

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Young historians climb through the three branches of the US government in the third lesson of this five-part series. While reading the first three Articles of the Constitution in small groups, children write facts on paper leaves that...
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

A Very Big Branch

For Teachers 6th - 11th Standards
Through detailed secondary source reading material and an interactive "true/false" activity, learners discover the depth and complexity of the executive branch in the United States government. Topics covered include executive...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Powers of Government

For Teachers 11th
Explore the powers of the federal and state government. Learners use a Venn Diagram to classify tasks as belonging to the states, the federal government, or both. This activity provides a quick way to review these concepts.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Government

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Challenge your students with this activity on American government! Learners discuss the three branches of government and its responsilbities, and then go on to more complex critical-thinking activities. Students interview members of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How was the Constitution Used to Organize the New Government?

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
How did the United States Congress determine how the new president and vice president would be named when the nation was first established? Who would provide money for the government, and how would the executive branch be organized? 
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

Governing Communities

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
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...
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Lesson Plan
Council for Economic Education

The Role of Government: The Federal Government and Fiscal Policy

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Give learners a crash course in balancing the books on the United States federal government level with an economics and government resource. Class members engage in a warm-up discussion and brainstorming session before answering...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Executive Branch

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students study the federal government, which is divided into 3 branches. They have a minimal understanding of the responsibilities of each branch.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Grandpa' Fight and the U.S. Government

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students are given the United States Constitution, students generate a list on the board of Grandpa's constitutional rights that might help him keep his home and property. Students become "experts," by reading and group discussion, on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is Government Necessary?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate the purpose of Congress and determine how it affects them. They explain what life would be like without government.
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Lesson Plan
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School Improvement in Maryland

Dividing the Powers of Government

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Who does what? To develop an understanding of the balance of power between the US federal and state governments, class members research responsibilities in terms of legal systems, security issues, economic activities, lawmaking, and...
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Lesson Plan
1
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National Endowment for the Humanities

Starting a Government from Scratch

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young historians have an opportunity to experience the challenges of starting a new government. After watching a short video about the Articles of Confederation, class members generate a "to-do list" of actions that a new government...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Local or State Government?

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore the differences between the responsibilities of the local and the state governments in Ohio. The roles of the two different levels of government are investigated and applied to a variety of situations in this activity.
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

For The President, All In A Day's Work

For Teachers 5th - 12th Standards
How does the president of the United States get the authority to exercise his/her duties? What responsibilities and tasks go into a hard day's work for the president? Here is a lesson plan that includes several instructional materials...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Branches of Government

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the three branches of government. In this government and U.S. history activity, students listen to a story about a boy who attempts to sponsor a bill to ban cartoons. Students interview three teachers who each represent...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan 2

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the structure and powers of the federal government. They assess the validity of recent criticisms of each branch of the federal government and create pyramid posters which simulate the structure of government.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Examine Your State Government's Demographics

For Teachers 8th - 11th
How is your state government organized? How many elected officials are women? What is the mean age of your state representatives? Young scholars answer these questions in a research project before creating a chart to reflect their...
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

The Fourth Branch: You!

For Teachers 5th - 11th Standards
Take time to remind your young learners of the valuable understanding that each branch of the United States government is really composed of other citizens. The reading material and worksheets of this resource cover the importance of...
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Lesson Plan
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Delegation of the European Union to the United States

Structure of Government within the EU

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The political system of the European Union is historically unique and has been constantly evolving. To better understand the structure of the EU, class members compare the EU's branches to those of the United States Federal Government.
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Lesson Plan
Judicial Branch of California

Balancing Act: The Three Branches

For Teachers 5th Standards
What do hula hoops and the American system of government have in common? Using hands-on station activities, pupils consider the roles of the three branches of government. A script for teachers and writing prompts help round out a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Executive Government: Executive Decision Making

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students make executive decisions. In this Social Studies lesson, students explore the concept of executive decisions through a game of chess. Students role play a year-level formal plan and implementation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Regents Review Worksheet #1: Principles of the U.S. Constitution

For Teachers 12th
Kids who take the Regents Exam really need to know a lot of information. This is a wonderful exam review tool that includes 26 pages of questions, charts, and suggested readings to help upper graders pass the test. It focuses on all...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Citizens of the Future

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young sociologists explore how local, state, and federal governments work. This very impressive and ambitious lesson requires pupils to contact government officials who represent them and their families. They research elections, and hold...
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Lesson Plan
American Bar Association

What Is Separation of Powers?

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Who has the power? Scholars investigate the creation of the three branches of government in the United States Constitution. They analyze just why the framers created the branches the way they did.

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