Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Role of the Judiciary in a System of Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers review concepts shown to them in a telecast on the role of the judiciary in a system of separation of powers. After reading an article, they work together in groups to complete a chart on checks and balances. They also...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Panama Canal Treaties: How Treaties Are Ratified

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students gain an understanding of how the executive and legislative branches, influenced by popular opinion, work toward the ratification of a treaty. They examine the influences and impact of lobbying and special interests in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Right and the Power

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read, discuss and analyze the New York Times article "In Wartime, Who Has the Power?" and relate the article to the Constitution. They then brainstorm how the president and Congress make decisions about the war in Iraq and write...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Formation and Function of the Supreme Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers 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.
Interactive
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Judicial Learning Center

The Power of Judicial Review

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Marbury v. Madison is arguably the most important landmark case in the history of the Supreme Court. A fact-filled lesson provides background information about the case and two others related to the concept of judicial review. Scholars...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

US Constitution And Amendments

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Learners become familiar with the US Constitution and consider how it affects their lives. They research the Preamble to articulate the purposes of government, compile collages, and research the separation of powers within each branch of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who or What is Un-American?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore concepts about civil liberties, research the history of sedition-related legislation in the U.S. and create a position paper on the topic.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Celebrate Constitution Day

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers 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...
Lesson Plan
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Checks and Balances

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Learners 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
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Bench-Pressing Issues

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars examine some of the issues that may be facing the changing United States Supreme Court. With further exploration, they formulate their own opinions and deepen their awareness of these critical topics.
Worksheet
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The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan: Student Worksheet

For Students 10th - 12th
These guided reading questions accompany several websites on the development of the US Constitution. While some of the links have changed, they are still accessible. History or government classes benefit from reading primary source...
Lesson Plan
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Teaching Six Big Ideas in the Constitution

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students debate the constitutional principles of the United States. For 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...
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

The Constitution

For Teachers 5th - 8th
A study of the Constitution can lead students into an exploration of civil rights, laws, and history.
Worksheet
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Eighth Grade Social Studies Quiz

For Students 8th
For this Georgia social studies assessment worksheet, 8th graders respond to fifteen multiple choice questions based on eighth grade social studies skills.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

U.S. Constitution and Amendments

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students explore the framework of government and examine the Constitution to see its impact on their lives.
Lesson Plan
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Bill of Rights Institute

Celebrate Constitution Day

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
September 17 is a great day to focus on the US Constitution for on this day in 1787, the Constitution was signed. Through a series of activities, high schoolers get a chance to look closely at this famous document and the rights and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constitution Search

For Teachers 4th - 8th
In this Constitution worksheet, students search the Constitution for details and answer short answer questions about it. Students answer 11 questions.
Lesson Plan
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Shifting Wins

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze how the outcome of the 2002 midterm elections changed the balance of power in the government. They write a news analysis and evaluation of how the nation be governed in the future.
Lesson Plan
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Who Are Your Local Officials?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the names and positions held by local public officials. In pairs, students research the requirements and duties needed to hold office. A brief presentation of their research will include the names and positions of...
Lesson Plan
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Telegram from Senator Joseph McCarthy to President Harry S. Truman

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the McCarthy hearings to determine the following: time frame of hearings, how they were broadcast, how the press reacted, and how the American people reacted in light of the Korean Conflict and the Cold War.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION: A SIMULATION

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students discuss two computerized options to change the current U.S. government. In this Constitutional Convention lesson plan, students write a statement advocating for one of the choices and participate in a mock modern Constitutional...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Roles of the President

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students list the many jobs of the U.S. president and explain the reasons for them. They compare current and past roles of the chief executive of the United States.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Mahoney Word Search Puzzle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this literacy learning exercise, middle schoolers look for the words that are part of the word search puzzle that is focused around the theme of the sheet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why or Why Not Law?

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders, in groups, study the law on the Internet.