Indiana University
Center on Congress: Learn About Congress
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...
Reading Rockets
Reading Rockets: Reading Basics: Vocabulary
Vocabulary is key to reading comprehension. Readers cannot understand what they are reading without knowing what most of the words mean. As children learn to read more advanced texts, they must learn the meaning of new words that are not...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Judiciary Act of 1789
Act establishing the organization of the U.S. federal court system, which had been sketched only in general terms in the U.S. Constitution. The act established a three-part judiciary-made up of district courts, circuit courts, and the...
iCivics
I Civics: Legislative Branch
Students will learn about the structure, function, and powers of the legislative branch of government. They will explore the legislative process, as well as the influence of citizens and political parties. Register for a free account to...
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Vocabulary: Understand New Vocabulary Within Context
A learning module that teaches students how to use context clues to understand new vocabulary words with six mini-lessons: Introduction, The Clues in Context, General/Inferential Context Clues, Definitions/Example Context Clues, Synonym...
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Understanding New Vocabulary Within Context
This lesson focuses on ways to understand new vocabulary words in context. It provides an introduction with examples, information about how our language changes and how words get into the dictionary, and how to look outside the word to...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Legislative Branch: The Reach of Congress
This well-written and well-organized site from The Legislative Branch provides a thorough overview of congressional powers, inherent checks and balances, as well as links to related information.
Library of Congress
Loc: The u.s. Constitution: Governing of the u.s.
This unit includes four lessons using primary sources to examine continuity and change in the governing of the United States. Lessons one and two are focused on a study of the Constitution and Bill of Rights and provide access to primary...
AdLit
Ad lit.org: Classroom Strategies: Mnemonics
A mnemonic is an instructional strategy designed to help students improve their memory of important information. This technique connects new learning to prior knowledge through the use of visual and/or acoustic cues. The basic types of...
AdLit
Ad lit.org: Classroom Strategies: Possible Sentences
Possible Sentences is a pre-reading vocabulary strategy that activates students' prior knowledge about content area vocabulary and concepts.
AdLit
Ad lit.org: Using Technology to Support Struggling Students: Vocabulary
To be scientifically literate, students must be able to express themselves appropriately. Learn how to help struggling students master specific vocabulary and be able to use it in their science writing activities.
AdLit
Ad lit.org: The Components of Effective Vocabulary Instruction
Effective vocabulary instruction begins with diverse opportunities for word learning: wide reading, high-quality oral language, word consciousness, explicit instruction of specific words, and independent word-learning strategies. This...
AdLit
Ad lit.org: Developing "Student Owned" Vocabulary
Students should learn specific vocabulary and academic language to comprehend content text, but they should also become independent in understanding and owning vocabulary. This article offers tips for developing students' "vocabulary...
AdLit
Ad lit.org: Linking the Language: A Cross Disciplinary Vocabulary Approach
A strategy for vocabulary instruction that involves introducing new vocabulary in related clusters. This approach can help diverse learners, including those students learning English, to make important vocabulary connections.
AdLit
Ad lit.org: The Clarifying Routine: Elaborating Vocabulary Instruction
The more a new vocabulary word is associated with ideas from students' own experience, the more likely the word will become well 'networked' and a permanent part of memory. Making these links involves elaborating definitions of new...
AdLit
Ad lit.org: Questions About Vocabulary Instruction
This article answers four common questions teachers have about vocabulary instruction, including what words to teach and how well students should know vocabulary words.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Lesson Plan for Nonfiction Comprehension: Skimming Text
Build comprehension by developing reading strategies for use with nonfiction text. This instructional activity focuses on teaching students to recognize text elements as clues to help them quickly locate key information in text.
SMART Technologies
Smart: Web Resources for 3 5 Reading and Language Intervention
Tons of online resources for reading and language skills compiled nicely into a student-friendly SMART Notebook file.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Learning Adventures: How Laws Are Made: The Language of the Law
Learning Adventures from Bensguide summarizes the process of lawmaking outlined in the U.S. Constitution and provides links to a glossary of legislative terms and Congressional Resolution from 2003.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Learning Adventures: Tracking a Bill From Beginning to End
Learning Adventures guide on how a bill becomes a law summarizes the legislative process and makes it understandable for students of all ages. With links to U.S. Government publications.
Have Fun With History
Have Fun With History: u.s. Government
Module with numerous videos and links to living history sites on topics in American Government, including the Constitution, the three branches, federalism and an array of other topics.
InterLink Language Centers
Interlink Language Centers: Reading Exercises Science
An interactive exercise for students to use while developing an understanding of how to read scientific informational texts. The text is presented one paragraph at a time and difficult vocabulary words are defined as footnotes. Then...
Other
State of Michigan: How a Bill Becomes a Law [Pdf]
Learn the steps involved in making a new law. The document explains how bills become laws in the state of Michigan, but the process is the same as it is for other states as well.
US House of Representatives
Office of the Clerk: Lesson Plan "A Bill Becomes a Law"
This lesson introduces middle schoolers to the legislative process and current bills before the House of Representatives. Discussion questions, critical thinking questions, and learning activities are provided. [PDF]