Lesson Plan
Youth Outreach

Connecting the Separate Powers

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Scholars demonstrate what they know about the separation of powers through role play. Two individuals act out a skit as the remaining class members discuss and decide whether the interaction they observed is an appropriate example...
Handout
USA.gov

Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Here is a very simple handout that illustrates how the Constitution provides for a separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Handout
Cato Institute

Executive Orders and National Emergencies

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
The subtitle of this essay is "How Presidents Have Come to 'Run the Country' by Usurping Legislative Power." It discusses how the Constitution defines executive powers in a general way, with few limitations on the power of the President...
Handout
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: The Legislative Branch: The Veto

For Students 3rd - 8th
Learn about the President's power to veto a bill, and understand how Congress responds when this happens.
Handout
Other

Fas: Proposals to Enhance Congressional Oversight

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is provided for by the Federation of American Scientists. After the Clinton Administration's experiences with Bosnia and Somalia, Congress sought to increase its legislative powers in military involvements and peacekeeping. The...
Handout
Tour Costa Rica

Costa Rica Government: Overview

For Students 9th - 10th
This site gives an overview on the government of Costa Rica. Includes information on the courts, executive and legislative powers, and the provinces of Costa Rica.
Handout
Other

The American Interest: China's Place in u.s. Foreign Policy

For Students 9th - 10th
China's remarkable aggregation of national power over the past 35 years has been a source of wonderment: to economists, who have been surprised by that country's consistently high rate of growth; to political scientists, who are at a...
Handout
Digital History

Digital History: The Clinton Presidency

For Students 9th - 10th
Short, but comprehensive, synopsis of Clinton's two terms as president. Included in the article is the 1992 campaign, successful and controversial legislation, and the scandals that would eventually become part of his presidential legacy.
Handout
Travel Document Systems

Tds: Thailand: Government

For Students 9th - 10th
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy , but the king has little power. Find out how the government works in this current article based on information from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.
Handout
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1890 1945: The Age of Empire: Muckrakers

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the muckraking journalists and novelists who were at the forefront of movements pushing for stronger protections for workers and consumers. Their work led to the passage of several important pieces of legislation. Includes...
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Debate and Compromise

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
The 18th-century statesmen who met in Philadelphia were adherents of Montesquieu's concept of the balance of power in politics. This principle was supported by colonial experience and strengthened by the writings of John Locke, with...
Handout
Other

Encyclopedia of Arkansas: Redeemers (Post Reconstruction)

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the so-called Redeemers, whose actions returned the Democratic Party to power in the southern states at the end of Reconstruction. Find out how they rolled back the legislation put into effect by the Republicans as a result of...
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Nullification Crisis

For Students 9th - 10th
Toward the end of his first term in office, Jackson was forced to confront the state of South Carolina, the most important of the emerging Deep South cotton states, on the issue of the protective tariff. Business and farming interests in...
Handout
New Advent

Catholic Encyclopedia: Bishop

For Students 9th - 10th
This article looks at the history and use of the office of Bishop in the Roman Catholic tradition. Please note that ?The Catholic Encyclopedia? is a historic reference source and should be viewed in the context of resource material dated...