Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 3: Branches of Government

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Young historians climb through the three branches of the US government in the third lesson of this five-part series. While reading the first three Articles of the Constitution in small groups, children write facts on paper leaves...
Interactive
1
1
iCivics

Branches of Power

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Learners take on the roles of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government in the United States and work to develop public policy issues and ideas into laws in this engaging and well-designed online interactive.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Regents Review Worksheet #1: Principles of the U.S. Constitution

For Teachers 12th
Kids who take the Regents Exam really need to know a lot of information. This is a wonderful exam review tool that includes 26 pages of questions, charts, and suggested readings to help upper graders pass the test. It focuses on all...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Legislative Branch

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students identify and describe the key terms as they relate to the Legislative Branch. Students describe how members of Congress are selected, how laws are created, and two of the limits on powers of Congress.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Legislation

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Learners rank the legislation of disabilities since World War I and write their rationale for the ranking. In this legislation of disabilities lesson plan, students do this for 5 legislations that have been passed.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

3 Branches of Government

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explain the process of making and passing laws within Congress by simulating this as a class. They review the three branches of government and focus on the legislative branch for the purposes of creating a bill.
Lesson Plan
University of North Carolina

Congress and the Legislative Process: A Simulation in How a Bill Becomes a Law

For Teachers 10th Standards
As part of the study of the legislative process, scholars research redistricting and gerrymandering and the effects of these activities on lawmaking. On day one of the two-day plans, individuals redistrict the state of Elbonia so that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Senator and Me: A Dog's-Eye View of Washington, D.C.

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
Although this legislative process lesson is designed to accompany a specific text, it is valuable independently. Young learners participate in a picture walk (worksheet included) through My Senator and Me: A Dog's-Eye View...
Lesson Plan
1
1
National Endowment for the Humanities

Lesson 4 James Madison: Internal Improvements Balancing Act—Federal/State and Executive/Legislative

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Who has the power? The founding fathers asked the same question when the United States was formed. Learners explore issues that arose during Madison’s presidency that raised constitutional questions. Through discovery, discussion, and...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

The Fourth Branch: You!

For Teachers 5th - 11th Standards
Take time to remind your young learners of the valuable understanding that each branch of the United States government is really composed of other citizens. The reading material and worksheets of this resource cover the importance of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

War Making: Executive and Legislative Powers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine Constitution and what it says about war-making power, contrast roles and responsibilities of executive and legislative branches of government when it comes to making war, become familiar with important 20th and 21st...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parallel Timelines

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders research the history of how a particular environmental issue moves through the Conservation Movement. They create timelines that show the progression of public sentiment and the legislation about the issue.
PPT
Curated OER

Whose go the Power: Checks and Balances

For Teachers 5th - 6th
After introducing the three branches of US government, test the class' understanding of government powers. They are asked a series of questions regarding a federal act and then, answer which branch has the power of decision making....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 2: The Tired King

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners are introduced to the three functions of government (legislative, judicial, and executive). They read and discuss a story about an overworked king who must handle all the tasks of government. Students give a description of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hate-Crimes and Punishment

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research and write about the effectiveness of hate-crime legislation in the United States
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Executive Branch

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students study the executive branch of the Michigan government through online research and by answering questions. They discover the difference between the legislative and executive branches through class discussion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hut One, Hut Two ... Teams of the National Government: The Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the three branches of government and the system of checks and balances.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chief Justice Roberts Goes to Court

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars gain an introductory into the branches of government. Students research all parts of government and use Frames to create a public service announcement to teach others the parts of government and how they work.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students view a PowerPoint presentation to explore the three branches of government. Using this infromation, they identify the people, buildings and responsiblities of each branch. They complete a worksheet using the internet and take a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Michigan Constitution and the Legislative Branch

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Checks and Balances

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explain the structure and function of the United States government established by the Constitution. They set up a make-believe scenario: the 3 volunteers have been friends for a long time and have formed a club (the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

3 Branches of State Government

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discuss what they think of when they hear the word government and write their suggestions on the board. They discuss what the state government is and what it does. They then discover the three separate branches of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The U.S. Constitution Power Grab Game

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners study the powers and limitations of the three branches of the American government. They explain how the system of "checks and balances" protects the individual citizens. They explain how the amendments to the Constitution...
Organizer
Curated OER

Checks and Balances Chart

For Students 9th
In this checks and balances chart worksheet, students use their textbooks and a copy of the U.S. Constitution to complete 10 items in the chart identifying the branches of government.