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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Guidelines for Governing: Utopia and The Prince

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore the power of the Church in government. In this literature lesson, students read Sir Thomas More's Utopia and Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince. Students respond to questions regarding the works and discuss them.
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Lesson Plan
National Constitution Center

Separation of Powers

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore how the Constitution provides for separation of power and limited government, as evidenced by the three branches of government. They participate in role-playing situations, group discussions, and complete worksheets to...
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Lesson Plan
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1
C-SPAN

Middle School Checks and Balances

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Seven video clips reveal how the checks and balances built into the constitutional framework of the United states' government are designed to keep any one branch from becoming too powerful. After watching each clip, groups identify the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government Protecting Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore tribal sovereignty. In this American Indian lesson, students learn about tribal sovereignty, watch a movie, take notes, and complete a reaction paper.
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Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

Lesson 4 James Madison: Internal Improvements Balancing Act—Federal/State and Executive/Legislative

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Who has the power? The founding fathers asked the same question when the United States was formed. Learners explore issues that arose during Madison’s presidency that raised constitutional questions. Through discovery, discussion, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Role of the Judiciary in a System of Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers determine the role of each branch of government in a system of checks and balances. They demonstrate the role of the judiciary in American government
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Lesson Plan
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media

The Articles of Confederation

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Have you ever started a project only to realize you need to scrap it and start over? Scholars analyze the issues leading to the fall of the Articles of Confederation. A group investigation into Articles II, III, and VIII unveil the...
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Interactive
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2
Judicial Learning Center

The Constitution and Rights

For Students 6th - 12th
What's the right way to teach young historians about the Bill of Rights? Many an instructor has asked this question when pondering lesson plans over the US Constitution. The Constitution and Rights is a nifty resource that provides a...
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Lesson Plan
The New York Times

Where to Draw the Line: Balancing Government Surveillance with the Fourth Amendment

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
The question of how to balance Fourth Amendment Rights with national security concerns becomes critical in an age of planned terrorist attacks, election interference, and fake news. Get young social scientists involved in the debate with...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 4: The Judiciary: A Brief Introduction to the Courts System

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Focusing on the judicial branch of government, the fourth lesson in this series explores the structure of the US courts system. Beginning with an engaging activity based on the short story The Lady or the Tiger, students go on to examine...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Mesopotamian Gods: Handout

For Students 6th - 8th
Ancient religion was often times closely linked to social structure and government. Hand out a handy guide that describes 12 major gods and goddesses from ancient Mesopotamia. They are each connected to a location, symbol, and force of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Landmark Leaders

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students research the accomplishments of current and historical national leaders. They choose several significant events to research and create a poster to present their research. Information is presented in the form of a government...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Makes an Amendment?

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Young scholars investigate amendments to the Constitution. For this government lesson, students research how an amendment is made and amendments that have both passed and failed. They write their own amendment and attempt to have it pass...
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Lesson Plan
Center for Civic Education

What Is Authority?

For Teachers 1st - 5th Standards
Young scholars examine the concepts of power and authority as they begin learning about government in this elementary social studies lesson. Through a series of readings, discussions, and problem solving activities, children learn about...
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PPT
Curated OER

Han Emperors in China

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
History can be so dramatic! Expose your class to the rise and fall of the Han Dynasty in China. The 400 year span of this Dynasty is covered in an easy to follow format, great for promoting food. Note test taking skills. Students will...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Executive Branch of the U.S. Government

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create a K-W-L chart of what they know about the executive branch of government. They access the Internet to research a specific level of government. They create a PowerPoint presentation with a minimum of eight slides.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Governing National Socialist Germany

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars spend a month discovering the role of the Nazi Dictatorship during the Holocaust. Using the internet, they research the history of the Nazi party and the decline of the Weimar Republic. They examine how Hitler rose to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Haitian Political Crisis: What Role Should the U.S. Play in Foreign Governments?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the political situation in Haiti. They share their opinions on the role the United States should play in foreign governments. They identify the causes of the turmoil in the country as well.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

PUBLIC POLICY AND THE GOVERNMENT

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners analyze the pros and cons of public policies. They analyze how public policy issues are influenced by government actions (e.g., transportation, the environment). They research the elements and requirements of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Governance

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders practice decision making. For this government lesson students role play making different types of decisions. They discuss how decisions affect life. The Great Binding Law of the Iroquois Confederacy is used as a focus.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Governance

For Teachers 1st
First graders make connections between the purposes of rules. In this governing lesson students listen to a story about rules being broken. Students identify rules that they have at school or home.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Federalism - United States, Alaska, and Local Governments

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students research Alaska's state, local, and tribal governments, as well as Alaska's long and complex relationship with the federal government.
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PPT
Curated OER

Louisiana Governor's Page

For Teachers 5th
Using this rich resource, your class could learn about the former governors of Louisiana. This could be a useful tool when studying the states. It could also be a resource for state reports. There are links to quizzes and a lot...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Agriculture and the Government

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students study the government's involvement in the U.S. A's food production and make connections relating to farm programs. In this historical agriculture lesson, students read content and research significant information. Students then...

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