+
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Our Courts: Constitution Day Lesson: Checks and Balances [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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.
+
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Learning Adventures: Branches of Government

For Students Pre-K - 1st Standards
Beginning page of a Learning Adventure examines what parts of the Constitution give the branches of the Federal Government their specific powers. Those three parts are Article I, Article II, and Article III.
+
Lesson Plan
Other

Usa Gov: Three Branches of Government

For Students Pre-K - 1st Standards
Lesson plans for students to learn about the three branches of government. They can find information about the origins of the Constitution, separation of powers, and details about each of the three branches.
+
Interactive
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Classroom: The Constitutional Convention

For Students 9th - 10th
Travel back to 1787 and become a delegate to the convention in Philadelphia. As the Founding Fathers struggle to decide how the young nation will be governed, explore how very different men representing their states' conflicting...
+
Study Guide
Ohio Test Prep

Ohio Test Prep: Module 4: Structure and Functions of the Federal Government

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Ohio test preparation module on the structure and functions of the Federal Government with video tutorial, review game and assessment.
+
Interactive
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Branch O Mania

For Students 3rd - 7th Standards
Learn about the duties of each branch of government with this learning game. Help Ben Franklin catch the items that are unique jobs for each particular branch of government. Level up with your knowledge!
+
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Docs Teach: Checks and Balances in Action

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
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...
+
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Docs Teach: Separation of Powers or Shared Powers

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
In this activity, learners will analyze documents that illustrate the relationship between the legislative, executive and judicial branches. Using the scale in Weighing the Evidence, students will decide whether the United States...
+
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Tough Issues

For Students 5th - 8th
Read about the change of plans when delegates to the Philadelphia convention decided to write a new constitution to replace the Articles of Convention. See the ideas delegates had to address concerns of large and small states.
+
Activity
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Harry S. Truman Library & Museum: Checks and Balances

For Students 3rd - 8th
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.
+
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Judicial Branch (6 8)

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This site from Ben's Guide to U.S. Government provides a brief overview of the judicial branch of the federal government. Discusses the origin of the judicial branch, the concept of judicial review, and functions of the judicial branch....
+
Website
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: The Three Branches of Government

For Students 3rd - 5th
Each of the three branches of the United States government is described - the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch.
+
Unit Plan
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Harry S. Truman Library & Museum: Three Branches of Our Government

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
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...
+
Lesson Plan
South Carolina Educational Television

Know It All: Government Simulation

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders will complete a government simulation where they learn about the different responsibilities of each branch of government by becoming the different branches.
+
Interactive
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: The Powers of Government

For Students 3rd - 8th
Students learn how the three branches of the United States government work together and the powers that the Constitution assigns to each branch-legislative, executive, and judicial.
+
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Constitution Day Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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...
+
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Learning About Our Government

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This instructional activity is designed to inform students about the organization of our nation's government. Students will be introduced to the three branches of American government and the responsibilities of each. They will discuss...
+
Activity
Schools of California Online Resources for Education

Score: The u.s. Constitution Power Grab Game

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
+
Lesson Plan
American Bar Association

American Bar Assoc.: Separation of Powers, Connecting the Separate Powers [Pdf]

For Teachers 4th - 6th
This lesson involves role-playing to help the students understand the separation of powers. [PDF]
+
Interactive
Quia

Quia: The 3 Branches of Government

For Students 6th - 8th
Complete the paragraph by filling in the missing terms. Collect coins by completing each exercise correctly.
+
Handout
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools

Loon Lake Elementary: Branches of Government

For Students 3rd - 6th
A concise, organized table of information breaking down the three branches of government which govern the United States of America.
+
Unknown Type
Soft Schools

Soft Schools: Branches of Government Quiz

For Students 3rd - 8th Standards
Take this twelve question quiz to test your knowledge of the three branches of government.
+
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Kids History: United States Government for Kids

For Students 3rd - 8th
Study the United States Government on this webpage. Learn about the balance of powers, the three branches, and the Constitution.
+
Handout
Stephen Byrne

History for Kids: Government of North America

For Students 2nd - 6th
Reference material for elementary students who are learning about U.S. Government provides an overview of the three branches of government outlined in the U.S. Constitution and a glimpse into the political party system.