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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Anatomy of the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
This instructional activity gives an article-by-article overview of the structure and function of the U.S. Constitution. Students learn about the duties and powers of the three branches, the amendment process, and the role of the...
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Article 3 of the Us Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th
Article 3 of the US Constitution establishes the Judicial Branch (the system of courts and judges), judicial powers, and the crime of treason.
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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.
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Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Docs Teach: Separation of Powers or Shared Powers

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
In this activity, students 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...
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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...
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Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: The Constitution: Counter Revolution or National Salvation

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Using primary texts and prior study of Colonial America and the Revolution, students examine "what type of government would best represent the ideals of the American Revolution." Worksheets, discussions, and role-playing within this...
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Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Government Buildings: The Supreme Court

For Students 3rd - 5th
Offers a brief history and detailed description of the Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC.
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Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The Supreme Court

For Students 3rd - 5th
This site has a simple explanation of the Supreme Court for kid's to read. You can also access the Official Supreme Court Web site from here.
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Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The President's Cabinet

For Students 3rd - 5th
This is a fun way to teach elementary students about the Presidential Cabinet, which includes the Vice President, 14 secretaries from executive departments and the Attorney General of the United States. Learn about this group's role in...
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Activity
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: What Is a Law?

For Students 3rd - 5th
Find out what a law is and who makes them. Learn the step by step process of how laws are made on the national level.
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Activity
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The Senate

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Information about the qualifications and duties of the United States Senate.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Republicanism

For Students 9th - 10th
The framers of the Constitution had a great distaste for the monarchial society of Great Britain. See how this was reflected in the checks and balances they wrote into the Constitution in an effort to create a working republic.
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Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: So You Want to Be President

For Teachers 3rd - 9th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart reviews the three branches of government and the qualifications to become President of the United States. Student assessment items are included.
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Handout
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Article Iii: Organizations of Court, Tenure, & Compensation

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource covers Article III, Section 1, which focuses on the judicial branch of the United States government.
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Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: The Constitution in Action: Article Ii

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This activity can be used during a unit on the U.S. Constitution. Students will analyze the Senate Journal of the First Congress and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article II of the Constitution in...
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Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: A New Nation

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart reviews the 3 main branches of government and its system of checks and balances. Web links and 3tudent assessment items are included.
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Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Debate and Compromise

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
The 18th-century statesmen who met in Philadelphia were adherents of Montesquieu's concept of the balance of power in politics. This principle was supported by colonial experience and strengthened by the writings of John Locke, with...
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Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Constitution Day Resources

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A selection of online resources from THOMAS that have to do with the US Constitution.
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PPT
University of North Carolina

University of North Carolina: Constitution 101 [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides a good basic introduction to the Constitution. Explains the founding principles, checks and balances, the rationale for it, the accomplishments of the Constitutional Convention, the debate and ratification, the structure of the...
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Unit Plan
CPALMS

Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: How Are Laws Made?

For Students 7th Standards
A tutorial that explains the process that must be followed in order for a new law to be made. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
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Unit Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Dirksen Congressional Center:congress for Kids: Introduction to the Constitution

For Students 3rd - 8th
Explore the history of the United States Constitution: information about the writing the Constitution, the Great Compromise, the Constitution's signers, the Bill of Rights, the Amendments to the Constitution, federal powers, checks and...
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Interactive
iCivics

I Civics: Games: Cast Your Vote

For Students 3rd - 8th
This resource is an interactive educational game that places the players in control of all three branches of government to test their abilities to turn issues of concern into full-fledged laws. In the debate, choose the questions to help...
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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: The United States Capitol Building

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
A comprehensive site that provides three lesson plans which explain what takes place in the U.S. Capitol Building. This thorough site describes the function of the Capitol Building and includes many photos of both the building itself and...
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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.

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