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A More Perfect Union: Barack Obama's Race Speech at the National Constitution Center

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the process of perfecting the Union through changes made to the Constitution, and through the powers delegated to each branch of government.  In this American Government lesson, 11th graders research various...
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Organization of Fairfax County Government

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify Fairfax County government as council-manager government, describe term of office held by members of Board of Supervisors and districts they represent, how Chairman of Board of Supervisors is elected and term and...
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Reflections on Judicial Power - Part I

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the Constitutional provision for the Judicial branch of government. They examine different U.S. founder's positions on the relative strength of the judicial branch and act as a review court for Marbury vs. Madison.
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RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICE

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners make an organizational chart. They show the relationship of power in the executive branch of the Illinois state government. They include the responsibilities of each office and define the roles and responsibilities of top...
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Shh! We're Writing the Constitution

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research, examine and study about the three branches of the government and the contents of the Constitution including both the Articles and the Amendments. They create their own classroom constitution at the end of the unit.
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The U.S. Constitution

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explain the differences between the three branches of government. Using the structure of a democracy, they listen to text about the United States Constitution. They discover how their government affects their lives in negative...
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U S Constitution--Checks and Balances

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students get an in-depth look at how our checks and balances system helps maintain the separating of powers between the three branches of government. They use current event head lines and insert them into he appropriate space on the...
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The Civil War

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Although we currently focus on Abraham Lincoln's positive contributions in creating a more equal society, the truth is that Lincoln was actually a controversial character in his time! After studying the Civil War, give your high...
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Order in the Court

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Pupils identify the branches of government, who leads each branch and its responsibilities. They understand the role that John Marshall played in our government system. They research the role of the Supreme Court.
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Who's Who in Government: Past, Present and Future

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders research a list of governmental leaders of South Carolina's past and present. They briefly identify each by writing a short summary which includes the dates of their political career, party affiliation, positions held in...
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Separation of Powers: Checks and Balances

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the reasons for separation of powers between the branches of government. They list the branches and identify the powers and functions of each.
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Is it Legal? - The Judicial System

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the judicial branch of government; in particular, Florida's judicial branch of government.
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Behind the Scenes: The Executive Response to 9/11

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars examine the actions of the executive branch following the September 11th terrorist attacks. In this U.S. government lesson, students watch segments of a video titled "Behind the Scenes: The Executive Response to 9/11."...
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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.
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Citizen Me

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine what it means to be a citizen. Using the Constitution, they discover the functions and purpose of government. They compare and contrast the difference between a democracy and a monarchy. As a class, they discuss...
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Members of Congress Who Have Made a Significant Contribution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils examine laws that have benefited the nation in a variety of ways. The congressperson in the legislative branch of the government primarily responsible for the passage of the law and the current representatives are sought in this...
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The Embodied Presidency

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders analyze Roosevelt's Fireside Chats. In this Franklin D. Roosevelt presidency, 10th graders determine how well FDR's government programs aided victims of the Great Depression. Students examine selected Fireside Chats and...
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Representing Our Nation

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils use pennies to illustrate how our states are represented in Congress. This lesson is to be implemented during a unit covering the branches of United States government.
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The President's Role and Succession

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the role the President of the United States plays in American government and the order of succession of cabinet members. They explain about presidential qualifications and the path to becoming President.
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Just how broken is the Senate?

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders examine the role of the Senate in the United States.  For this American Government lesson, 12th graders read various articles and answer questions to these articles.  Students write a letter to their Senator on a specific...
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Zen and the Art of Murder

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Pupils describe the importance of citizen involvement in the judicial system. They play the role of a witness to a crime scene by watching the video clip. Students discuss how differing eyewitness accounts can affect a police...
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Life before Congress

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students name some interesting backgrounds of Members of Congress, identify their current representatives in the legislative branch of the national government, and describe the background of one local representative or senator.
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Federalism and the Prevention of Abuse of Power in the US Federal Government

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders stud Federalism and identify examples of abuse of power.
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The Supreme Court: The Judicial Power of the United States

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate some basic facts about the Supreme Court by examining the United States Constitution and one of the landmark cases decided by that court. The operation of the Supreme Court forms the focus of the lesson.