Curated OER
The Constitution: Our Plan for Government
Students investigate the importance of separation of powers, checks, balances, and judicial review. They also investigate how national and state governments are linked.
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The Powers of Mom: Understanding the Legislative, Executive and Judicial Power
Tenth graders examine the powers of each branch of the government. They analyze the causes and effects of relationships within the government. They participate in activities to help them comprehend the material.
C-SPAN
Choice Board: Expressed and Implied Powers
Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution expressly lists powers given to Congress. Over the years, lawmakers have expanded the enumerated powers to include powers implied by the list. To better understand the significance...
Judicial Learning Center
How to Create a Law
Laws affect everything from a scholar's favorite public park to rules in the classroom. Express the importance of lawmaking and teach how they relate to every facet of life with a resource on how a bill becomes a law.
C-SPAN
14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause
Two Supreme Court cases, Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education take center stage in a lesson about the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Class members research both cases to compare and contrast the rulings.
Judicial Learning Center
Do You Know Your Bill of Rights?
The Bill of Rights is much more than an important piece of paper! The rights cover everything from freedom of speech to the right to remain silent if arrested. Scholars find out their own rights by answering the questions in the form of...
Curated OER
Fourth Grade Social Studies
In this social studies worksheet, 4th graders complete multiple choice questions about the climate, landforms, regions, government, and more. Students complete 25 multiple choice questions.
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The "Big Four"
Students identify the four individuals who are identified as the "Big Four", examine the years they were on the bench together, and look and the impact they made in key cases.
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The Impact of Hazelwood on School Publications
Ninth graders explore the Supreme Court Case Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier. In this American Government lesson, 9th graders research the recent history of censorship and how the courts have been involved in either protecting or...
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Just how broken is the Senate?
Twelfth graders examine the role of the Senate in the United States. In this American Government lesson plan, 12th graders read various articles and answer questions to these articles. Students write a letter to their Senator on a...
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Mueller v. Allen
Students investigate a First Amendment legal case involving religion, education, and reimbursement of tuition payments. They research the background of the cases and its precedents.
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Civil Liberties and War Powers: Korematsu v. United States
Eleventh graders compare and contrast Supreme Court decisions dealing with the application of civil rights during times of war, with emphasis on discrimination and detention. Working in groups, 11th graders review cases and analyze how...
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The Supremes
Students discuss steps cases go through to reach Supreme Court, examine Bill of Rights, and rank rights in order of importance to them. Students then research Supreme Court case dealing with one of first ten amendments, and write about...
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What is a Court?
Students examine and discuss the judicial branch of the U.S. government. They define what a court is, list three characteristics of a trial court and an appellate court, and analyze various trial and appeal situations.
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U.S. Constitution and Amendments
Students explore the framework of government and examine the Constitution to see its impact on their lives.
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Marriage Equality: Different Strategies for Attaining Equal Rights
Students examine gays rights issues in the United States. In this gay marriage lesson, students investigate how people have made their cases before the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government to secure their civil...
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I'm Just a Bill
Fourth graders study the three branches of government and the process of how a bill becomes a law. They watch the School House Rock video "I'm Just a Bill" and sing the song after viewing the video. They answer question regarding a bill...
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The Rule of Law
Young scholars examine the rule of law and government in this civics instructional activity. They discover the origins and how it impacts them on a daily basis. They also analyze its role in the judicial system.
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Read My Lips
Learners research and examine Florida's government and the three branches of government. They write and present campaign speeches that explain the reasons why they would be the best candidates for governor.
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Order in the Court
Learners identify the branches of government, who leads each branch and its responsibilities. They understand the role that John Marshall played in our government system. They research the role of the Supreme Court.
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Discovering Democracy in Canada: Federal Perspectives
Tenth graders research one aspect of government. They teach their peers co-operatively about the key elements of Democracy in Canada at the Federal Level by giving group presentations.
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Utah's Legislative Branch: How a Bill Becomes a Law
Seventh graders explain the steps by which a bill becomes a law. They research how a bill becomes a law within the three branches of Utah's government and synthesize their research and discussion in a classroom representation of government.
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Michigan Constitution and the Legislative Branch
Students explore online resources to compare and contrast the different constitutions the state of Michigan has had. They continue their exploration of various websites, focusing on the legistlative branch and the homepage of their local...
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Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
Students examine state rights and the commerce clause. For this Supreme Court lesson, students examine primary documents from Gibbons v. Ogden and discuss the implications of the decision.