Curated OER
American History Through the Len of the Supreme Court Decisions
Students examine the historical background of Supreme Court decisions and the basic principles behind legislation. As part of the lesson, students discover legal concepts and terms and write sentences using the vocabulary they have...
C-SPAN
14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause
Two Supreme Court cases, Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education take center stage in a lesson about the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Class members research both cases to compare and contrast the rulings.
Curated OER
Constitutional Issues: The Separation of Powers
Students 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.
Curated OER
George Washington and the Rule of Law
students compare The rule of law with the rule of men and consider life under each of these types of governments.In this government instructional activity, students read a primary source to examine the importance of the rule of law.They...
Curated OER
Fourth Grade Social Studies
In this social studies worksheet, 4th graders complete multiple choice questions about the climate, landforms, regions, government, and more. Students complete 25 multiple choice questions.
Curated OER
A Changing of the Guard: Traditionalists, Feminists, and the New Face of Women in Congress
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,...
Curated OER
Constitution Cartoons
Students view series of cartoon overheads that explain Constitution, name branches of government and their powers, define federalism and separation of powers, examine rights and obligations of citizens, and discuss significance of...
Curated OER
Term Limits: When is Enough?
Learners discuss the issue of term limits in the executive and legislative branches. They research the issue and create a pros and cons chart with the various opinions on Congressional term limits. In addition, they explore the 22nd...
Curated OER
Constitution Lesson Plan
Third graders identify roles of Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution in establishing new country, create posters with their ideas about each part of Constitution, and explain three branches of government, including their...
Curated OER
Participation in Local and State Government
Pupils investigate the state and local levels of government. They demonstrate an examineing of government at these levels. The identification of officials and resources can be used for assessment.
Curated OER
The Constitution: Our Plan for Government
Students investigate the importance of separation of powers, checks, balances, and judicial review. They also investigate how national and state governments are linked.
Curated OER
Government: Missouri Bar Civics Library
Learners visit the Missouri bar Website to examine information about the U.S. Constitution and its Amendments. They complete a variety of activities from the provided lessons including the judiciary, Fourth Amendment issues, civil law,...
Curated OER
Who or What is Un-American?
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.
National Endowment for the Humanities
James Madison: Madison Was There
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...
Curated OER
Checks on Presidential Power
Students examine presidential powers. For this checks and balances lesson, students identify the constitutional and informal restraints of the president and consider the reasons for the limitations.
Curated OER
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
Students create a series of drawings to show the process of how the Supreme Court does its work. The drawings may be in strip cartoon form or a series of separate illustrations.
Administrative Office of the US Courts
Nomination Process
"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States..." Scholars investigate the nomination process of Supreme Court justices when assuming office. Through examination of primary and secondary...
Curated OER
A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION: A SIMULATION
Learners discuss two computerized options to change the current U.S. government. In this Constitutional Convention lesson, students write a statement advocating for one of the choices and participate in a mock modern Constitutional...
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How government Works
Students read to understand the process of lawmaking. In this lawmaking lesson, students define vocabulary and create an organizer showing the law making process. Students role play the various people involved in the lawmaking process.
Curated OER
New Citizen Exam is Democracy 101
Students read a USA Today article about U.S. democracy and then complete questions about the topic. In this democracy lesson, students read the article 'New Citizen Exam is Democracy 101.' Students learn about the test for U.S....
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 2 James Madison: The Second National Bank—Powers Not Specified in the Constitution
How much power is too much power for the federal government? Scholars use primary documents and constitutional research in groups to analyze the creation of the Second National Bank under James Madison. This is the second instructional...
Curated OER
James Madison: From Father of the Constitution to President
Students investigate reasons why James Madison is called the "Father of the Constitution." They discuss three events during his presidency that raised constitutional questions and look at Madison's opinions of those questions. They...
Curated OER
Taking From the Giving Tree
Learners explore the ways in which various American cities negotiate the protection of their "green infrastructure," gaining a broader understanding of proposed and enacted legislation as it relates to preserving and planting trees in...