Curated OER
How Michigan Law Affects You
Students examine how the laws in Michigan affect their lives. They use primary source documents to analyze the state's history. They discuss laws pertaining to women as well.
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Ohio's U.S. Presidents
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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Presidential Powers
In this Presidential Powers activity, students answer five questions about the various powers of the president by writing short responses.
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It's All About Justice
Students examine a specific environmental concern to their local community. In groups, they explore how the justice system would deal with the problem by participating in a treasure hunt. They review the meaning of federal and state...
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Scavenger Hunt
Students participate in a scavenger hunt to gather information on their governmental officials. Using the internet, they identify and discuss the various political boundaries to determine who their representative is. They complete a...
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Checks on Presidential Power
Students examine presidential powers. In this checks and balances lesson, students identify the constitutional and informal restraints of the president and consider the reasons for the limitations.
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Checks and Balances
Students take a closer look at the responsibilities of the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches. In this U.S. government lesson plan, students read articles 1, 2, and 3 of the Constitution and then use Venn diagrams to compare...
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Houghton Mifflin Social Studies/Chapter 13, Lesson 2 California Fights Smog (pp. 296-300)
Third graders look into certain environmental problems. The governmental branches are investigated and how government takes care to solve problems of the environment.
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US Constitution And Amendments
Pupils become familiar with the US Constitution and consider how it affects their lives. They research the Preamble to articulate the purposes of government, compile collages, and research the separation of powers within each branch of...
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A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION: A SIMULATION
Pupils discuss two computerized options to change the current U.S. government. In this Constitutional Convention lesson plan, students write a statement advocating for one of the choices and participate in a mock modern Constitutional...
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Civics: State Vs. Rowe
Students examine the case of State vs. Rowe to discover the duties of the three branches of government. They explore the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances to assess how they apply to an actual situation.
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Asking and Answering Questions Using the Balance of Powers
Students complete a diagram showing the relationship between the executive, legislative and judical brances of the government. They form sentences using the question words. They restate who and what questions as well.
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Statehouse Time Capsule
Fourth graders create a time capsule that is representative of their community. They explain why the chosen objects are representative of themselves or their community.
Bill of Rights Institute
Celebrate Constitution Day
September 17 is a great day to focus on the US Constitution for on this day in 1787, the Constitution was signed. Through a series of activities, high schoolers get a chance to look closely at this famous document and the rights and...
USA.gov
How The Supreme Court Works
Just how does a case come before the highest court in the land? A graphic flow chart unpacks how plaintiffs come before the Supreme Court. Graphics include background on the nine justices and just how many cases they actually hear each...
Curated OER
Design a State Seal
Fourth graders examine the meanings of symbols on the Ohio state Seal. They create their own personal seals which include three items about themselves. They write explanations about their seals.
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The Role of the Judiciary in a System of Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances
Students review concepts shown to them in a telecast on the role of the judiciary in a system of separation of powers. After reading an article, they work together in groups to complete a chart on checks and balances. They also discuss...
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Fourth Grade Social Studies
For this social studies worksheet, 4th graders answer multiple choice questions about George Washington, early America, natural resources, and more. Students complete 8 questions.
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Defining the Separation of Power
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the separation of powers in the American government and respond to 3 talking point questions.
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Capitals of Ohio
Fourth graders construct timelines of historic Ohio events and explain how it progressed from territory to state. They locate points of interest on a state map.
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Statehouse: Fact or Fiction
Fourth graders determine whether or not statements about the Ohio statehouse are true or false. They examine the stories behind the myths about it. including one about the ghost of Abraham Lincoln.
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Watergate Revisited
Students review Watergate Files and the Watergate Trial using Internet sites. They read about the people involved in Watergate. They discuss the events leading up to and after Watergate.
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The President's Roles and Responsibilities: Communicating with the President
Students examine the roles and responsibilities of the U.S. president and their own roles as citizens of a democracy. They explore various websites, listen to a State of the Union address, and write a letter to the President of the...
YMCA
Turning Courtrooms into Classrooms
Turn the class into the next episode of Law & Order! Scholars work together to create a mock trial over the course of several weeks before going before a judge for the case performance. They take on different roles, go through...