Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Differences and Settlement in the Legislative Budget Process

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students discuss the issues at hand when legislators are trying to agree on policy. In groups, they role-play different roles within a sub-committee when trying to balance the budget. They present their findings to the class and...
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

Ports in the Storm

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore national security issues related to the possibility of a Dubai-owned company operating an American port. Opinions are solicited and debated.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating Laws

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students brainstorm ideas for legislation and present their ideas to the class. They draft a bill and take it through the normal procedures of the Canadian Parliament.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Are the Ethical Considerations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the socioeconomic and environmental issues associated with radon. They examine the laws that exist in New Jersey that pertain to real estate. They work in groups to design new legislation that addresses associated...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History of the Michigan Supreme Court from the Territorial Court and the founding of the Michigan Supreme Court in 1836 to Justice Mary S. Coleman and her interpretation of "One Court of Justice"

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students trace the history of the Michigan Supreme Court from when the state was still a territory. They define procedures as they relate to the Court. They compare and contrast the territorial court to the new Court.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Role of Individuals and Groups in the Census

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students learn why the census makes a difference. In this U.S. Census lesson plan, students describe and explain the roles that individuals, government agencies, and partner groups play in the census.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Changing of the Guard: Traditionalists, Feminists, and the New Face of Women in Congress

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore the role of women as Congressional leaders. In this women's rights lesson, students identify and investigate the impact of women representatives and senators in the U.S. Legislative Branch. Comprehension questions, data,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Powers of Mom: Understanding the Legislative, Executive and Judicial Power

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders examine the powers of each branch of the government. They analyze the causes and effects of relationships within the government. They participate in activities to help them comprehend the material.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Mace

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students make a mace as a symbol of the legislatures authority to make laws.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Influencing Public Policy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners read the local newspaper, identify a currrent community issue and develop plans to influence the formation, development, and implementation of a policy to affect the issue. They write a biography about someone who has influenced...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Follow a Bill!

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students participate in an activity to discover how a bill becomes law in California. In groups, they create a school program based on their own ideas for change. They develop and conduct a survey within their community and present their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Don't Just Dream-Act

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers create campaign materials to encourage the passage of legislation supporting higher education for immigrant minors. They produce flyers, brochures, pins and a voter presentation for a school fair. To prepare the materials...
Interactive
Curated OER

U.S. History Knowledge Test 3

For Students 4th - 6th
In this U.S. history trivia worksheet, students answer twenty multiple choice questions based on their knowledge of U.S. history. This is an interactive worksheet.
Interactive
Curated OER

One Word Substitution 2

For Students 7th - 9th
In this online interactive vocabulary skills activity, students match the 10 vocabulary terms in the word bank to the appropriate definitions. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mueller v. Allen

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate a First Amendment legal case involving religion, education, and reimbursement of tuition payments. They research the background of the cases and its precedents.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ethnicity, Gender and the Courts

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore their own beliefs about the qualities that make someone qualified to sit on the Supreme Court.  In this American Government lesson, 11th graders write about and debate the ethnic, religious, and gender...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Democracies in North America: Canada, the United States, and Mexico

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine democratic values. In this democracy activity, students research the political systems of Canada, Mexico, and the United States in order to compare and contrast them. Students also discuss domestic and international...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constitutional Issues: The Separation of Powers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners research and stage a debate on the question: RESOLVED that the Constitution should be amended to provide for a parliamentary system of government. They debate if a parliamentary system of government might be better.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Procedures of the Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the role of the Michigan Supreme Court. They diagram the procedure one must follow to bring a case before the Court. They discuss the order of business for oral arguments as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government law

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explain how a bill becomes a law. They watch a video and take notes on the video titled: America Rock "I'm Just a Bill." Students work in groups to create a bill to present to congress that relates to safety. They read...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Full Court Press

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the Supreme Court's role and function in the federal government and examine how Chief Justice Rehnquist's illness might affect the future of the Court. They write letters to President Bush on the Supreme Court...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Gets the Job?

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students explore the process for presedential Cabinet appointments. They determine common characteristics found in members of the Cabinet.
Handout
ProCon

Electoral College

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
The Electoral College's role in elections is sometimes confusing and controversial. Pupils use a debate topics website to research the pros and cons of the practice to debate whether the United States should still use the Electoral...