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Organizer
Curated OER

United States Government

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Which branch of government carries and enforces laws in the United States? What two governing bodies make up Congress? Using this simple graphic organizer, your young historians will organize the flow of responsibilities afforded to the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Legislation: Passing a Bill in the House of Representatives

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students study the concept of legislation as it relates to passing a bill in the House of Representatives. In this legislation: passing a bill in the house of representative lesson plan, students identify why and how bills are introduced...
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PPT
Curated OER

Constitution Jeopardy

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Although just a quick review of general information learned about the Constitution and U.S. government, this presentation could be used as a fun activity before the beginning of a class lesson, or as an independent experience. The...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Constitution Basics and Political Spectrum

For Students 10th - 12th
Have learners try their hands at an online quiz. There are 32 multiple choice questions all related to the three branches of the US government. Questions regarding US economics are also included. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Senator and Me: A Dog's-Eye View of Washington, D.C.

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
Although this legislative process lesson is designed to accompany a specific text, it is valuable independently. Young learners participate in a picture walk (worksheet included) through My Senator and Me: A Dog's-Eye View...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

3 Branches of Our Government

For Students 6th - 12th
This straightforward fill-in-the-blank activity could be used for a variety of purposes. Young historians are given 10 sentences about the branches of government; they fill in the blanks with terminology that is related to the United...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Branches of Government: Crossword Puzzle

For Students 5th - 8th
Reinforce terminology that goes along with the branches of government with this crossword puzzle. There are 17 clues provided. Learners fill in the crossword puzzle with the appropriate answers regarding the legislative, executive, and...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Branches of Government

For Students 5th - 8th
After reading a short text on the branches of government in the United States, future voters answer 8 fill-in-the-blank questions, as well as 11 true or false questions. This learning exercise would be a great homework assignment or...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Legislation: Passing a Bill in the Senate

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students debate a bill. In this Senate lesson plan, students investigate the steps of the House of Representatives when amending a bill that has passed. Students role-play law-making.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Your Turn to Vote

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the legislative process. In this Congress instructional activity, students consider the functions of Congressional committees as they participate in a simulation that requires them to experience the decision-making...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Branches of Government Worksheet 2

For Students 5th - 8th
Looking for a quick assessment to give to your class about the branches of government in the United States? This is a multiple choice activity that could be used as a quiz. There are 9 questions, some of which are a bit dated and should...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Congress: The House of Representatives

For Students 10th - 12th
This simple instructional activity could accompany a text (as it indicates a chapter and section), but could also be given as a guide to independent research. Basic concepts of Congress are prompted through matching and multiple choice....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Play House

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students take a closer look at representative government. In this House of Representatives lesson, students discuss their local representative in Congress and research his or her responsibilities. Students then participate in a House of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Getting to Know the House

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers take a closer look at representative government. In this House of Representatives lesson, students discuss their local representative in Congress and research his or her responsibilities. High schoolers respond to the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Play House

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore U.S. government by participating in a role playing activity. For this House of Representatives lesson, students discuss the first day of congress and the role the House plays in running the United States. Students define...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Constitution Worksheet

For Students 8th - 12th
In this U.S. Constitution worksheet, students respond to 63 short answer questions about Articles I-VII of the American plan for government.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Legislative Bill

For Students 6th - 8th
In this legislative bill learning exercise, students draft a bill for voting on in a mock House of Representatives session that can be signed into law by the acting president.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ohio's U.S. Presidents

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the state of Ohio's claim to be the "Mother of Presidents." Nine U.S. presidents were from the state and their contributions and terms of office are examined in this lesson.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Puppet Show

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explore politics by defining several jobs in the government. For this House of Representatives lesson, students identify several important roles men and women have in the House as well as the Senate. Students identify what it is...
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Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: Biographical Directory of the u.s. Congress

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a link to 13,000+ members who have served in the United States Congress, 1774 - present. Accompanying biographies and pictures, when available, are very informative. This site is well-designed and easy to navigate.
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Thomas: Legislative Information

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This retired site captures historical legislative activity that includes bill summary and status, bill text, public laws by law number, most recent issue, roll-call votes, committee reports, house committees, and senate committees.
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Website
University of Missouri

Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Select Hot Constitutional Issues

For Students 9th - 10th
Among other issues considered, Hot Constitutional Issues probes into the constitutionality of giving Washington, D.C. a vote in the House of Representatives, raised in 2009.
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Website
Other

The Dirksen Congressional Center

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
An effective site that provides non-partisan information concerning Congress and its leaders. The website includes CongressLink, up-to-date information on the US Congress; Congress for Kids, an excellent resource for younger students on...
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Website
Other

Open Congress

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is a great tool to personalize and track all the information you want to follow about Congress. Search bills, senators, representatives, committees, issues, and forums. There are great tools to try out: facebook, widgets, and...