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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

State of Affairs

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the various roles and duties of state government officials and offices to create an Informative Guide to Our State's Government. They explore the changing relationship between governor and lieutenant governor in New York.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Letters to the Government

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine how to be active participants in their local, state, or federal governments. They create a powerpoint presentation and write a letter to one of their governmental representatives about a problem and solution of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders discover details about the 3 branches of government. In this primary source analysis lesson, 6th graders examine documents and images from the Library of Congress to investigate the structure of the U.S. government.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Brazil's Government Like?

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students compare and contrast the American system of government with that of Brazil. They research how the Brazilian govenment functions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Branches of Government

For Teachers 5th - 6th
After reviewing and reading about the three branches of US Government, complete this activity with your class. In groups, they will place their "cards" on the board under the correct branch. This lesson is weak and unclear. I'd make a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Federalist Debates: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the pros and cons of state sovereignty vs. federalism, as argued by the Founding Fathers. They identify the basic positions of each side, complete a worksheet, and write a persuasive essay arguing for Jefferson or Hamilton.
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Lesson Plan
American Constitution Society

Constitution in the Classroom: The Right to Vote

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
The system of checks and balances is integral to the functionality of the United States government. Learn more about the ways the three branches of the government work together—and about the limitations of their power—with an informative...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Executive Government: Three Levels of Government

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students identify and classify the powers and responsibilities of all three levels of executive government in Australia. In this executive government lesson, students discuss the various services that the government in Australia...
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

Why Government?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Why do people create governments? Where did we get our ideas about government? This is a fantastic introductory instructional activity for your American government class that begins by reviewing the philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alexander Hamilton and the Roots of Federalism

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Explore the origin of political parties in the United States. Learners work in groups to read and analyze copies of the "Report on Manufactures" written by Alexander Hamilton. Then, they complete a worksheet comparing the Federalists to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

3 Branches of State Government

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discuss what they think of when they hear the word government and write their suggestions on the board. They discuss what the state government is and what it does. They then discover the three separate branches of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Differing Federal Responses to the Great Depression: Letter Analysis

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Young analysts examine two letters, one written by President Hoover and one written by FDR. Each letter contains that president's response to the role of the Federal Government during times of crisis (The Great Depression). They analyze...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Four Famous Faces

For Teachers K - 1st
Each one of our quarters is embellished with a famous face or image representing the state it came from. This lesson uses South Dakota's state quarter to get kids thinking about monetary value, what the president of the United States...
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Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

Lost Hero: Was John Hanson Actually the First President?

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The first president of the United States was ... John Hanson? Scholars investigate the notion that the initial leader of the nation was not George Washington. Using research, articles, and open discussion, individuals create a quest for...
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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
Curated OER

Participating in State and Local Government

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students analyze the structure, organization, and powers of State legislatures. They outline the overall shape of the office of the governor. Students analyze the structure of local governments as creations of the State. They describe...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
National Endowment for the Humanities

Lesson 4 James Madison: Internal Improvements Balancing Act—Federal/State and Executive/Legislative

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Who has the power? The founding fathers asked the same question when the United States was formed. Learners explore issues that arose during Madison’s presidency that raised constitutional questions. Through discovery, discussion, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government: Balance of Power

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders conduct Internet research about the governmental balance of power. They create Kidspiration projects demonstrating the workings of the three branches of government. They compare U.S. democracy with other forms of government.
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Lesson Plan
Center for Civic Education

What Basic Ideas Are in the Preamble to the Constitution?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Introduce young historians to the US Constitution with this upper-elementary social studies lesson plan. Beginning with a general discussion about the role of government in society, students go on to work in small groups identifying and...
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Lesson Plan
2
2
Smithsonian Institution

Native Resistance: Native Resistance Then and Now

For Teachers 8th - 11th Standards
Native Americans lost so much—and gained so little in return. Scholars explore Native Americans' resistance to the United States government. The lesson uses primary sources to explore the different forms of protest and gives a voice to...
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Lesson Plan
1
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National Endowment for the Humanities

James Madison: Madison Was There

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Madison was there! Scholars go on a journey to discover the person behind the founding father label as they explore James Madison's role in the formation of the United States government. The culmination is a writing assignment and...
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Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

The House of Representatives

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The House of Representatives has a lot of responsibility  in the United States government. But how did it all begin, and why is it the way it is now? A comprehensive lesson answers all of these questions about the US Constitution and...
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Lesson Plan
3
3
Project Tahoe

Individual Rights vs. The Greater Good Within the Scope of War

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
When, if ever, is the government justified in restricting individual rights? When, if ever, should the "greater good" trump individual rights? To prepare to discuss this hot-button topic, class members examine primary source documents,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Successful Deaf Leaders in Government

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research branches and agencies of state government to further explain how legislation and initiatives impact Deaf community. They conduct email interviews with Deaf government leaders, and create electronic portfolios.

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