Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Ronald Reagan and Executive Power
This site is a comprehensive examination of Ronald Reagan's administration and how he used his executive powers. It looks at his policies and his ongoing legacy. Includes videos, historical context, and lesson plans from elementary up.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: 9/11 and Constitution: American Identity, Diversity
A set of lessons that can be used to commemorate the anniversaries of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, and the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787. They help students to reflect on the...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Abraham Lincoln and Executive Power
This instructional activity traces the rise of Abraham Lincoln from his humble beginnings to the presidency of the United States. You will examine Lincoln's ideas and decisions regarding slavery and the use of the presidential power to...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: James Madison and Executive Power
This instructional activity examines the legacy of the "philosopher statesman," James Madison. Madison combined the intellectual knowledge and creativity of the scholar with the practical savvy of the politician, a man of strong...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Black History Month
A collection of six lessons for Grades 5 and up for Black History Month. The lesson plans explore the use of nonviolence in history, particularly with respect to the civil rights movement and African American history.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
This thought-provoking site provides a portal to many resources about citizen participation and civic literacy.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: What Is a Republican Government?
This activity will help you understand why the Founders thought a republican form of government was best. Students will also learn about civic virtue and the common welfare.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: George Washington's Legacy to America
This lesson plan from the Center for Civic Education encourages both teachers and students to learn more about George Washington's contribution to American Constitutionalism and Citizenship.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: What Basic Ideas in the Preamble to the Const [Pdf]
This lesson plan explores some ideas in the Preamble to the Constitution. Students learn the importance of the words, We the People. The lesson plan emphasizes that the power to govern belongs to the people who have created the...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: The Federal System Created by the Constitution [Pdf]
In this lesson, students will learn how the Constitution established a new way to organize a government, called the federal system. When finished this lesson, students should be able to explain what a federal system is and how it differs...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: What Is Authority? [Pdf]
This in-depth lesson teaches the meaning of authority, the benefits and drawbacks of someone having authority over another person, where authority comes from and who uses it, how it helps to solve problems, and how leaders are chosen....
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: What Responsibilities Accompany Our Rights?
Suppose the government does everything it can to protect people's rights. Is this enough? Will their rights be protected? Do we have any responsibility to protect not only our own rights, but each other's as well? This lesson plan looks...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Why Do We Need a Government?
This lesson introduces students to some of the basic ideas which were of great importance to the Founders. They used these ideas when they developed the American government. Students will learn why they thought a government was needed in...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: What Are the Possible Consequences of Privacy?
This lesson examines some of the possible consequences of privacy. Students will classify these consequences as benefits or costs. Later, they will be asked to evaluate positions on issues of privacy by thinking about the consequences of...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: What Responsibilities Accompany Our Rights?
These are discussion topics to incorporate into your lesson on rights and responsibilities of citizens. Features questions to encourage debates or essay ideas. Also includes lesson plans.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: What Is a Republican Government?
The founding fathers studied different forms of government throughout history to come up with the best form of government for our new nation. They decided a republic suited our nation the best. Find out the advantages of this type of...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: George Washington and Executive Power
George Washington had a role in establishing our nation from the Revolutionary War through his presidency. He was a commander, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and a reluctant first President. Analyze his political...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: James Madison and Executive Power
James Madison has been called the "Father of the Constitution". His ideas have shaped the role of our government, the role of political parties, the Bill of Rights and more. This activity offers extensive background, critical thinking...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Abraham Lincoln and Executive Power
Explore the life of Abraham Lincoln from his childhood through his presidency. This module includes extensive background, review questions, critical thinking questions, a timeline, and links to resources and primary sources.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: What Is the Role of the President?
The president has great power granted to him under Article II of the Constitution, while at the same time extensive limits have been placed to keep that power in check. This source contains extensive background on these powers and...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Independence Day: Fundamental Ideas About Government
In this lesson plan, students will examine some of the fundamental ideas about government that is contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. When the lesson plan is completed, students should...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Ronald Reagan and Executive Power [Pdf]
"Ronald Reagan and Executive Power" examines the use of presidential powers by Ronald Reagan, the fortieth president of the United States. It explores Article II of the Constitution, which grants the president executive powers.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: How Constitution Used to Organize the New Govt [Pdf]
This lesson plan describes how, using the guidelines provided in the Constitution, the First Congress in April 1789 named the new president and vice president, provided funding for the new government, organized the executive branch,...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Orb and Effy Learn About Authority [Pdf]
Using the story Orb and Effy Learn About Authority, young students are guided to develop an understanding of what authority is, how it is an essential part of a democratic society, and what limits a society puts into place so that...