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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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Worksheet
Curated OER

Federalism and the Division of Power

For Students 7th - 8th
Test your U.S. history class on what they know about Federalism and the division of power. There are 5 matching and 5 multiple choice questions to solve. Questions relate to the American federal system, US Constitution, national...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Federalism

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students become familiar with the Federalist papers and the work of the federal government.  In this federalism lesson, students find similarities and differences between state and federal government.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine federalism and judicial review. In this Supreme Court lesson, students examine primary documents from Marbury v. Madison and discuss the implications of the decision.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Separation of Powers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students compare the role of federal and local government. In this government lesson, students watch "Separation of Powers." Students discuss the federal and state powers prior to participating in a simulation that requires them to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Federalist Papers

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students identify the Articles of Confederation and explain why it failed. They explain the argument over the need for a bill of rights in the Constitution and James Madison's role in securing its adoption by first Congress. Finally,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dual Federalism

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare and contrast the roles of federal and state governments in the United States. In this government lesson, students research state and national governments' joint and individual powers prior to debating a topic relevant to...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Government and Politics

For Students 11th - 12th
After a class lesson the U.S. Constitution and its amendments, students can apply their knowledge to this activity. Several questions prompt students to add missing key terms, such as the year the Constitution was written and the number...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

America 2000: Federal Round Table Discussion

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the United States Constitution and identify the beliefs and values Americans follow today. In groups, they compare and contrast state's rights and federal rights and the issues affecting them. They debate the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Arguments Against Ratifying the Constitution

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students define federalism, Federalist, and Anti-Federalist, debate issue of ratification in classroom convention, and take vote on whether to add bill of rights. Three lessons on one page.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Federal Period 1780 - 1820

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Within this unit, students evaluate the prosperity of a New England town during the Federal Period. Throughout the unit, students are looking for evidence of prosperity by examining artifacts such as inventories, tax lists, and photos to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Powers of National and State Government

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars define term federalism, identify the powers granted to state and national government, and identify powers shared by the state and national governments.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Has the Power?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars explore the concept of federalism and the purpose of government. How government powers are acquired, used, justified, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens are investigated in this lesson plan.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Laws of the Land

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students examine state quarters and discuss how national and state agencies worked together to create them. They examine state laws and national laws to see how they differ. They explore the process for making a law.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Federalism and the Prevention of Abuse of Power in the US Federal Government

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders stud Federalism and identify examples of abuse of power.
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Primary
This Nation

This nation.com: Executive Order 13132 of August 4, 1999

For Students 9th - 10th
This Executive Order signed by President Bill Clinton on 8/4/99 is an order that describes the balance between state and federal governments, as warranted by the Framers of the Constitution and federalism.
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Online Course
Tom Richey

Tom Richey: Constitutional Underpinnings of u.s. Government

For Students 9th - 10th
The first unit of an online course on AP US Government and Politics. It explores key concepts of American government, including constitutional government, republicanism, separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, construction...
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Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: Teaching Six Big Ideas in the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
The Constitution can be broken down into 6 main themes: Limited Government, Federalism, Republicanism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Popular Sovereignty. Students will study background on the Founding Fathers and use...
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Handout
Illinois Institute of Technology

Oyez.org: Oyez Directory

For Students 9th - 10th
The OYEZ Directory offers hyperlinks to Supreme Court cases. Choose the topic you'd like to search under, like "Attorneys," or "Civil rights," for example.
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Unit Plan
CPALMS

Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Comparing Constitutions: Florida vs. the u.s.

For Students 7th
The US Constitution and the Constitution of Florida are compared in this tutorial and how each incorporates the system of federalism. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
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eBook
Teaching American History

Teaching American History: From Bullets to Ballots Chapter 4

For Students 9th - 10th
Doubts and Disunity, Was the Downfall of the Federalists Inevitable? is Chapter 4 from Zvesper's book, From Bullets to Ballots. Understand what happened to the Federalists, the Democratic-Republicans, as being too similar to what they...
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Unit Plan
C3 Teachers

C3 Teachers: Inquiries: Federalism

For Teachers 12th Standards
A learning module on federalism. It includes several supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance task. Topics covered include how state and federal powers are defined in...
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible?

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
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.
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Democracy in Action. Federalism: u.s. V. the Sates

For Teachers 9th - 10th
U.S. v. the States delves into the ongoing constitutional dilemma between the federal government and individual state governments illustrated through Video on Demand, activities, readings, etc.