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Primary
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: United States Constitution: Article Ii

For Students 9th - 10th
Full text of Article II from the U.S. Constitution, as well as detailed annotations that explain the reasoning and subsequent impact of each clause and section of the Article. Content explores everything from the nature and scope of...
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Unit Plan
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Harry S. Truman Library & Museum: Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
Interactive teaching unit for Grades 5-8 that helps to explain the three branches of government and the the balance of power. Topics covered include balance of government, how a bill becomes a law, the amendment process, the Legislative...
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs: The President's Cabinet: Choosing the Right Members (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A lesson that involves students in explaining the confirmation process of presidential appointees by testing the system of checks and balances and the separation of powers. The lesson also requires students to simulate the confirmation...
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Activity
Illinois Institute of Technology

Oyez: Schechter Poultry Corp. V. United States (1935)

For Students 9th - 10th
This U.S. Supreme Court case declared the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) of the New Deal illegal because of the issue of separation of powers. The 'Case Basics' links have documents and more information from the court case.
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Activity
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Harry S. Truman Library & Museum: Checks and Balances

For Students 3rd - 8th
Descriptions of the separate powers and functions of the three branches of the federal government. Site explains how the powers of one branch check and balance those of another.
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Primary
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: Constitutional Principles

For Students 9th - 10th
James Madison knew that a key challenge of maintaining just government was framing it in such a way that the government would be forced to control itself. How does a system of separated powers-and the checks and balances built into those...
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Compromises

For Students 9th - 10th
Compromise was the name of the game when writing the Constitution. See how taxation, elections, and the power of the federal government were enshrined in the document. Marvel at the ideas that were rejected.
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Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Learning Adventures: Branches of Government

For Students Pre-K - 1st Standards
Introduction to a learning adventure on the Constitution and branches of government. Students click on their age group icon to find information on which part of the Constitution spells out the powers of legislative, executive and...
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: The Federal Court System

For Students 9th - 10th
Discussion of the structure, purpose, powers and Constitutional safeguards of the Federal Court System.
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Graphic
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Branches of Government

For Students 5th - 8th
Students will visualize how the Constitution organized our 3 branches of government and the role each plays in our government. This infographic breaks down the powers of each branch and shows how they perform checks on the other...
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Activity
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Landmark Cases: Schechter v. u.s. (1935)

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS provides details on the landmark Supreme Court case of Schechter v. U.S. which dealt with congressional powers under the Commerce Clause.
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Limiting Government

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Explore the five basic limits on government through the true story of Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, and other fictional cases of government power gone wild.
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Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Challenges Faced by the New Nation

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This unit covers the content area featuring the challenges faced by the new nation including the writing of the Constitution, government powers, the Bill of Rights and the War of 1812.
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Unit Plan
Indiana University

Center on Congress: Learn About Congress

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Learn about the role of the US Congress, how it works, its history, and the principles behind its creation and operation. Wonderful set of resources including FAQs, short articles and video clips, "interactive learning modules" (i.e., a...
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible?

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
This unit explores the timeless qualities of The U.S. Constitution, the opportunities to amend it, and how it is a pillar of the American identity, through these activities, videos, and outside resources.
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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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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs: How the Supreme Court Affects the Lives of Teens (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Objectives for this lesson include describing the structure and function of the Supreme Court, looking at important decisions, and discussing recent rulings and issues.
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Primary
University of Chicago

The Founders' Constitution: Virginia Constitution: 29 June 1776

For Students 9th - 10th
The complete original text of the revolutionary state constitution of Virginia adopted in June 1776.
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Primary
University of Chicago

The Founders' Constitution: Massachusetts Constitution: 2 March 1780

For Students 9th - 10th
The complete, original text of the Massachusetts State Constitution as adopted in March, 1780.
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Article
Michigan State University

Michigan State University: American Revolution: Revolution and State Constitution Making

For Students 9th - 10th
A full-length essay on the formation of new state constitutions by the 13 newly independent states.
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Website
The White House

The White House: Our Government

For Students 9th - 10th
Overviews of the major elements of U.S. government, compiled and published by the White House: three branches of the federal government (executive, legislative, judicial), the Constitution, federal agencies and commissions, elections and...
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Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Constitution of the United States

For Students 9th - 10th
Find background information on the Constitution of the United States of America, and learn the three basic principles upon which the Constitution was written. Additional content includes a look at the text of the Constitution, the events...
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Lesson Plan
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: The Defense of Marriage Act

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A lesson plan addressing what happens when Congress passes a law or an act, but the law is unconstitutional.
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Unit Plan
CPALMS

Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Enlightenment Ideas and the Founding Fathers

For Students 7th - 8th
A tutorial that looks at the ideas from the Enlightenment that influenced the Founding Fathers, particularly those of John Locke and Montesquieu. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.

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