Lesson Plan
Curated OER

US Government: The Checks and Balances System of the US Constitution

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the responsibilities of the 3 branches of U.S. government. In this checks and balances lesson plan, students identify the powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. Students share examples...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Government Works and the Rights of the People

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders identify how to be responsible citizens. In this civics lesson, 8th graders review websites of congressional members and then create questionnaires about the responsibilities of citizens.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constitutional Convention

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students develop a constitution for a hypothetical country called Permistan by reviewing the constitutions from the other countries they have already studied.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the Constitution: The First Three Articles of the Constitution, Separation of Powers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students 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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Checks and Balances

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students take a closer look at the responsibilities of the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches. In this U.S. government lesson, students read articles 1, 2, and 3 of the Constitution and then use Venn diagrams to compare and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You Be the Judge

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research and evaluate a case considered by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. They watch a Bill Moyers video, conduct a debate, and write about the decision they would make if they were a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making an Appeal

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students make an appeal. In this making an appeal lesson students give characteristics of the Washington Supreme Court. Students examine public policy conflicts and present an appellate case.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students debate the pros and cons of affirmative action. In a small group role play, students act as university admissions officers, making recommendations on admissions policy.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Justice For All?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars study about President Bush's nomination of federal appeals court judge John G. Roberts to the Supreme Court. They compare coverage of the nomination in different sections and articles in The New York Times.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Internment of Japanese-Americans

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students assess the significance of a watershed event in the political history of the United States . They identify events and issues associated with the internment of Japanese-Americans as a result of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Supremes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss steps cases go through to reach Supreme Court, examine Bill of Rights, and rank rights in order of importance to them. Students then research Supreme Court case dealing with one of first ten amendments, and write about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bill Of Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine Supreme Court cases. In this U.S. government lesson, students watch a video about the Bill of Rights and then research 4 Supreme Court cases using the noted web site. Students analyze the presented information and write...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan 5

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the process of writing a case brief. They analyze the case McCulloch v Maryland. After a lecture/demo, students utilize a case study worksheet imbedded in this plan to help them explain the process of performing a case...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Trial Process

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Pupils explore the trial process as a guest speaker visits the classroom.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constitutional Rights Of Students

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders brief Supreme Court cases about student rights that they have studied over the past year, and apply them to a contemporary situation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Due Process: Is It Always Due?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the basic Constitutional protections of due process and then consider the balance of these basic protections with issues of national security. A variety of segments of U.S. Supreme Court cases are examined in this lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ideal Judge

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders compare and contrast judges in Japan and United States, read cases from "The Judge Ooka Tales," apply principles of Confucian ethics to dispute resolution, and predict how Japanese judge would rule in contemporary case.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Impact of Hazelwood on School Publications

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore the Supreme Court Case Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier.  In this American Government lesson, 9th graders research the recent history of censorship and how the courts have been involved in either...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Formation and Function of the Supreme Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners analyze the role of the U.S. Supreme Court. They read a handout and Article III, section 1 of the Constitution, analyze and rate by relevance noteworthy Supreme Court cases, and write how they decided each rating.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's All About Justice

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine a specific environmental concern to their local community. In groups, they explore how the justice system would deal with the problem by participating in a treasure hunt. They review the meaning of federal and state...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government Websites

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students search for government sites and create master lists by category. They list Executive, Judicial, Legislative and Special Interest Group sites.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Claim Your Jurisdiction Game

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students identify levels within the judicial system. They determine which court handles which particular type of case. Finally, they identify the differences between federal and state court jurisdiction.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

John G. Roberts, Jr. -- Nominee, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the life and work of John G. Roberts, the nominee to be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In groups, they use the internet to define the role of the Chief Justice and complete handouts to record their information....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making An Appeal

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners are introduced to factors involved in making an appeal in a court case. Students examine the appeals in two court cases and present arguments for both sides. Learners discuss the class decision and compare it to the actual...

Other popular searches