Informative discussion of the ideas behind the Constitutional principle of Separation of Powers.

Interactive teaching unit for Grades 5-8 that helps to explain the three branches of government and the the balance of power. Topics covered include balance of government, how a bill becomes a law, the amendment process, the Legislative...

A lesson plan addressing what happens when Congress passes a law or an act, but the law is unconstitutional.

Find background information on the Constitution of the United States of America, and learn the three basic principles upon which the Constitution was written. Additional content includes a look at the text of the Constitution, the events...

Objectives for this lesson include describing the structure and function of the Supreme Court, looking at important decisions, and discussing recent rulings and issues.

See how colonial and state constitutions differed and how the idea of a social contract between a government and its citizens is reflected in the state constitutions. The second half of this site gives an abbreviated text of the Articles...

Working as teams, students learn the basics of fluid power design using the PFPD as their investigative platform. Students will investigate the similarities and differences between using pneumatic and hydraulic power in the PFPD. While...

[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart is an in depth Activote questionnaire relating to our Constitution. Students should understand the basic concepts of the Constitution, checks and balances, separation of powers, and...

A comprehensive learning module on the system of government established by the founders that includes three supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and primary source materials, followed by a summative performance task....

A brief biography of a leader for black power, Malcolm X. Read about his early life and conversion to the Nation of Islam. Find out what his goals were for blacks in America, and see how the means to the end was different from Martin...

This resource presents the complete text by the famous 18th century French economist (in English). In it, he advanced theories of democracy for the French monarchy. It is in PDF format and is a large file.

Learn about the role of the US Congress, how it works, its history, and the principles behind its creation and operation. Wonderful set of resources including FAQs, short articles and video clips, "interactive learning modules" (i.e., a...

Discussion of the structure, purpose, powers and Constitutional safeguards of the Federal Court System.

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...

This unit explores the timeless qualities of The U.S. Constitution, the opportunities to amend it, and how it is a pillar of the American identity, through these activities, videos, and outside resources.

The complete, original text of the Massachusetts State Constitution as adopted in March, 1780.

What responsibilities belong to the U.S. President and the Congressional houses when it comes to establishing the federal budget? Take a look at these resources and incorporate this lesson into classroom learning.

In-depth analysis of the use of presidential power to send troops abroad without consent of Congress.

Below, you will find suggested definitions of each principle. Click here to read the words of James Madison, a primary contributor to the Constitution, and other Founders on these principles.

Read about the necessity for Virginia and New York to support the ratification of the Constitution. See what influenced the vote in Virginia and how the legislature of New York was finally convinced.

Young scholars will learn that heat is needed to separate crude oil/petroleum into useable substances to make the products we use every day.

James Madison knew that a key challenge of maintaining just government was framing it in such a way that the government would be forced to control itself. How does a system of separated powers-and the checks and balances built into those...

The Constitution was written in the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by delegates from 12 states, in order to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new form of government. It created a federal system with a national...

By 1788 eleven states ratified the Constitution, more than enough to put it into effect as the document establishing rules for the nation. Read about the goals of the Federalists in estabilishing a national government and find out how...