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iCivics
I Civics: Our Courts: Constitution Day Lesson: Checks and Balances [Pdf]
Students learn the roles and responsibilities of each branch of government and where the checks and balances are located in this role-playing lesson. Requires Adobe Reader.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: After the Fact: Virginia, New Yok, and "The Federalist Papers"
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.
US National Archives
Docs Teach: Checks and Balances in Action
In this activity, students will analyze documents that span the course of American history to see examples of 'checks and balances' between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches in action. Students will then match the...
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum: Checks and Balances
Descriptions of the separate powers and functions of the three branches of the federal government. Site explains how the powers of one branch check and balance those of another.
Oswego City School District
Regents Exam Prep Center: Introduction to u.s. Government
Explore the ideas and principles of American government including its influences, foundation, and basic tenets (such as checks and balances and federalism).
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Impeachment
Read a brief synopsis of the process of impeachment and then complete the short quiz to check for understanding.
iCivics
I Civics: Three Branches: Laws in Action
Embark on his WebQuest to follow the path an idea takes to eventually become a law. Read a short description regarding the role of each branch of government and then answer a follow-up question using the link provided.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Role of the Supreme Court
This essay describes the power of the Supreme Court to 'check' the actions of both the President and Congress, with some historic documentation.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: The Legislative Branch: The Veto
Learn about the President's power to veto a bill, and understand how Congress responds when this happens.
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum: Three Branches of Our Government
This slide and the six that follow it (use the advance button near the bottom of the screen) offer an explanation of each of the three branches of government and the duties they perform, including discussion of the tensions arising from...
Other
World Justice Project: What Is the Rule of Law?
Derived from internationally accepted standards, the World Justice Project's definition of the rule of law is a system in which the following four universal principles are upheld by four universal principles. These four universal...
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Checks and Balances
The system of checks and balances in place for maintaining the power relationships within the United States government is explained in kid-friendly terms. Suggestions for research projects, resource links and some activities are...
iCivics
I Civics: Montesquieu Mini Lesson
Meet the Baron de Montesquieu, one of the great thinkers of the 18th century. He spent a lot of time thinking about how governments should be created and maintained. These ideas guided the Founding Fathers when they wrote the...
iCivics
I Civics: Familiar but Flawed
This instructional activity highlights British influences on American government. Learn how America's Founders improved upon familiar structures of British government to contain tyranny in favor of liberty.
iCivics
I Civics: Impeachment and Conviction (Infographic)
This infographic explains how impeachment works, who's involved, where those entities get their authority, and what it really takes to remove a federal official from office.
iCivics
I Civics: Judicial Review
This lesson plan explores the case that established the power the Supreme Court has today. Learners will learn how the decision in Marbury v. Madison influenced the structure of the third branch, and how the Court's use of judicial...
iCivics
I Civics: The Presidential Agenda
For the winning candidate, campaign promises evolve into an official presidential agenda. This mini-lesson takes a look at how the presidential agenda is developed, shared, and executed.
iCivics
I Civics: Constitution Day Lesson Plan
This interactive lesson gives students a quick snapshot of the Constitution, including the purpose of each article, the powers of the three branches, how a bill becomes a law, and the concepts of separation of powers and checks and...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The First Amendment
This resource presents lessons on the First Amendment. It contains many resources for use with children, and links to primary source documents.
Schools of California Online Resources for Education
Score: The u.s. Constitution Power Grab Game
Politicians like power, but who actually gets to use their powers in different situations? Take this quiz to sort out the checks and balances that are used on the various power plays.
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Loon Lake Elementary: Branches of Government
A concise, organized table of information breaking down the three branches of government which govern the United States of America.
PBS
Pbs: The President's Cabinet: Choosing the Right Members (Lesson Plan)
A lesson that involves students in explaining the confirmation process of presidential appointees by testing the system of checks and balances and the separation of powers. The lesson also requires students to simulate the confirmation...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Advice and Consent: Supreme Court Nominations (Lesson Plan)
A lesson that explains the role of checks and balances in U.S. system of government. Students will describe the process of selecting justices for the Supreme Court, will examine past Supreme Court cases, and will discuss how the Supreme...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Challenges Faced by the New Nation
[Free Registration/Login Required] This unit covers the content area featuring the challenges faced by the new nation including the writing of the Constitution, government powers, the Bill of Rights and the War of 1812.