Curated OER
Taking From the Giving Tree
Students explore the ways in which various American cities negotiate the protection of their "green infrastructure," gaining a broader understanding of proposed and enacted legislation as it relates to preserving and planting trees in...
Curated OER
Citizen Me
Fifth graders examine what it means to be a citizen. Using the Constitution, they discover the functions and purpose of government. They compare and contrast the difference between a democracy and a monarchy. As a class, they discuss...
Curated OER
The Federal Legislative Process
Students investigate the concept of the Federal Legislative Process. This is done through the use of research on approved class websites. The lesson gives the option of developing other resources for students to use for the teacher to...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Create Your Own Constitution
Eighth graders explore the processes, purpose and components of a good and just constitution. They focus on the Constitution of the United States of America. Students discuss the purpose of a constitution and reasons why the Constitution...
Ohio Center For Law-Related Education
Four Activities: Thurgood Marshall and the Nomination and Confirmation of Federal Judges
The process of nominating and confirming federal judges can sound like a lot of bureaucratic hoops, but a resource breaks down the steps of the Supreme Court nominations in a simpler manner. Learners participate in four activities that...
Curated OER
Who Gets the Job?
Students explore the process for presedential Cabinet appointments. They determine common characteristics found in members of the Cabinet.
Curated OER
Endangered Species Act
Students spend the duration of this instructional activity examining the text of the Endangered Species Act. Individually, they complete a profile to determine where they stand on the bill and read excerpts from it. Some role-play the...
Curated OER
A Dream and an Idea: Searching for a Roadmap to Create a Country
Students compare and contrast opposing visions of government held by the founding fathers. They evaluate the roles of historical leaders in shaping the U.S. as an emerging nation.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Understanding The Work Of The Legislature
Students participate in a lesson plan that is about the operations of the legislature and how it operates on a daily basis. They conduct research using a variety of resources and use focus questions to help create the context for the...
Curated OER
Ethnicity, Gender and the Courts
Eleventh graders explore their own beliefs about the qualities that make someone qualified to sit on the Supreme Court. In this American Government activity, 11th graders write about and debate the ethnic, religious, and gender makeup...
Curated OER
The Constitution
Eighth graders watch as their teacher presents information on the Constitution, government and laws through a PowerPoint presentation. In groups, they discuss the importance of government and laws and identify the main ideas in the...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Differences and Settlement in the Legislative Budget Process
Students discuss the issues at hand when legislators are trying to agree on policy. In groups, they role-play different roles within a sub-committee when trying to balance the budget. They present their findings to the class and...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Who Are Your Local Officials?
Students identify the names and positions held by local public officials. In pairs, students research the requirements and duties needed to hold office. A brief presentation of their research will include the names and positions of...
Curated OER
The Illustrated Bill of Rights
Pupils shoot Bill of Rights videos. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students film digital segment that illustrate the meaning of the first 10 amendments. Pupils integrate the video clips into PowerPoint presentations.
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
The life of a legislative bill
Middle schoolers investigate bills under consideration by the United States Congress and create a flow chart that tracks the movement of the bills to gain understanding of the legislative process.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
The Brain's Response to Drugs
Marijuana affects the brain differently than inhalants, which have a different effect than opioids. Elementary and middle school classes read about these drugs as well as nicotine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens, and steroids before...
State Bar of Texas
Marbury v. Madison
Who has the final say in matters dealing with the rules under the United States Constitution? The case Marbury v. Madison brings to light the issue of judicial review. Learners investigate the Supreme Court's opinion in the case with a...
Curated OER
The Preamble to the Constitution: How Do You Make a More Perfect Union?
Students analyze the Preamble of the Constitution and identify the historical context that led to its wording. They, in groups, interpret phrases from the Preamble, examine relevant court cases and create illustrations for their portion...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Ratifying the Constitution
Ratifying the Constitution was no simple task. Using primary sources, such as classic writings from the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, young scholars examine the arguments for and against the Constitution. They then decide: Would they...