Lesson Plans and Links

Balancing Three Branches at Once: Our System of Checks and Balances - In this unit of four EDSITEment lessons, students use primary source documents to investigate of how the three branches of the American government can check each other. The documents referenced in the lesson give clear examples of the balance of power in the U.S. government.
Subject(s): Language Arts, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 3, 4, 5

Ben's Guide to US Government for Kids - This site teaches students how our government works, all from the Internet-reincarnated persona of Benjamin Franklin.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Creating History -- Why was there so much conflict between government and unions in the late 1800s? In this lesson plan, students pick a side to the conflict and create web pages to present their arguments.
Subject(s): Language Arts, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Democracy Project - President For A Day -- In this online game, students take on the role of "president for a day" in the Oval Office. Through a customized, interactive story, students learn about the president's main responsibilities and about the branches of the federal government.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 3, 4, 5, 6

Democracy Project - Why Vote? A Public Awareness Campaign -- This lesson plan uses the online game "How Does Government Affect Me?" to teach students about the important goods and services local, state, and national government provide.
Subject(s): Health, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 3, 4, 5, 6

The Federalist Debates: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments -- This lesson, from EDSITEment, introduces students to one of the most hotly debated issues during the formation of the American government--how much power the federal government should have--or alternatively, how much liberty states and citizens should have.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 6, 7, 8

Free Ride -- This EconEdLink lesson plan explores the true cost of many "free" services provided by the government. Roads and schools are used as examples to introduce the concepts of taxation, government expenditure, and government revenue.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 3, 4, 5

Government Spending: Why Do We Spend the Way We Do - In this EconEdLink lesson, students look at definitions for the three categories of federal spending and, using the Internet, locate examples of each. They then categorize a list of expenditures as government purchases or transfer payments. Given federal budget data, students analyze the pattern of change that has occurred over the last 40 years. This lesson incorporates an interactive student activity and links to a variety of Web resources.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Homeland: Getting At The Truth - None of us were living when the land was taken away from the Indians or slaves imported into the United States. Can we agree that nevertheless we all benefit from the country that was forged with the resources of that stolen land and the work done by that stolen labor? Can we agree that the government we praise as one of the best democracies in the world has done some terrible things "in the name of the people"? If we can recognize the injustices of the past, what, if any responsibility do we share?
Subject(s): Foreign Language, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

James Madison: Raising an Army: Balancing the Power of the States and the Federal Government - In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students explore the question of individual states' abilities to oppose the will of the federal government with regard to certain issues. They summarize at least one event during James Madison's presidency that raised constitutional questions and discuss Madison's opinions the questions. Click "Display Full Record" and see the Relation field for a link to the unit overview.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 6, 7, 8

Lost Hero: Starting a Government from Scratch - In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students look at the role of President as defined in the Articles of Confederation. They come to understand the role of the government and the President in establishing a new country, and describe some of the actions the government bodies would probably take to ensure order and security. Click "Display Full Record" and see the Relation field for a link to the unit overview.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 6, 7, 8

NewsHour Extra - Debating Iraq -- This lesson plan is most appropriate for US History/Government or World History classes. It not only focuses on the current debate on Iraq, but it also encourages students to examine America's new security strategy in the post-Cold War era.
Subject(s): Foreign Language, Language Arts, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Higher Education

NewsHour Extra - The Haitian Political Crisis: What Role Should the U.S. Play in Foreign Governments -- Evaluate cause and effect relationships while learning about the history of Haiti, the political turmoil endured by the Haitian people over the past 50 years, and the 2004 removal of Jean-Bertrand Aristide from power.
Subject(s): Foreign Language, Language Arts, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Higher Education

NewsHour Extra - The Role of Exiles in Post-Saddam Iraq -- The U.S. has sought support of Iraqi exiles living in the U.S. and elsewhere in its efforts to combat those loyal to Saddam Hussein's government and to rebuild the war-ravaged nation
Subject(s): Science, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Higher Education

Rediscovering George Washington - The Theory of the American Founding: Why Government? -- This lesson discusses the idea of government from the point of view of the American Founders (government is not only necessary, but good, for human beings). Discussion questions follow the reading.
Subject(s): Language Arts, Science, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Higher Education

Symbols of America -- What does the American flag mean to you? Is the pledge of allegiance constitutional? The idea of patriotism and its place in American life is examined in this lesson plan.
Subject(s): Language Arts, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Taxation Without Representation? -- This EconEdLink lesson takes students through the series of tax acts that were enacted by the British government and disputed by the original 13 colonies of America prior to the American Revolution.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 6, 7, 8

The Role of Government: The Federal Government and Fiscal Policy - In this lesson, from EconEdLink, students visit "A Citizen's Guide to the Federal Budget" and use the federal government Web site to obtain information that helps them understand basic information about the budget of the United States Government.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

The White House - Reports on current news events concerning the president. It has biographies of the President and First Lady. You can take an online tour of the White House.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Tic Tac Taxes! - This lesson, from EconEdLink, assists students in identifying various taxes and the services they help governments provide. Through the activities in this lesson, students distinguish among federal, state, and local taxes and the goods and services they support, and they identify three basic types of taxes and describe the purposes of each. This lesson incorporates an interactive student activity and links to a variety of Web resources.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 3, 4, 5

Where Does the Money Come from? -- This lesson, from EconEdLink, provides information about the costs of government programs. This information is necessary if individuals are to make responsible decisions as citizens.
Subject(s): Mathematics, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 6, 7, 8

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Activities

Constitution Exploration -- In this activity, students will analyze the structure and content of the U.S. Constitution and gain an understanding of how individual rights of American citizens are protected.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 6, 7, 8

The Mouse Supreme Court -- Have you ever heard of the Mouse Supreme Court? How about the United States Supreme Court? In this activity, students will read a book that describes a fictional court and will learn about current members of the United States Supreme Court.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 4, 5

Three Branches of Government -- Students will be using media to identify what makes up the three branches of government.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 5

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Video Clips

Constitution-- This six part video features Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Stephen Breyer discussing the Constitution with high school students. This video was designed to help students understand the importance and relevance of the Constitution.
Part 1 - Real Video or Windows Media
Part 2 - Real Video or Windows Media
Part 3 - Real Video or Windows Media
Part 4 - Real Video or Windows Media
Part 5 - Real Video or Windows Media
Part 6 - Real Video or Windows Media
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Judge Robert B Watts (Real Video) or (Windows Media) -- Judge Robert B. Watts was the first African American judge appointed to the Municipal Court in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1961. In 1995, he was awarded the Elizabeth Gilman Award from the American Civil Liberties Union. Learn more about Judge Robert B. Watts in this segment, which features an interview with Mrs. Jacquelyn Watts (Judge Watts’ widow), as well as archival photographs.

Judicial Independence Part 1 and Part 2 -- Recent actions by legislatures and politicians to affect or change judges’ decisions have raised concerns among members of the bench. Maryland’s top judge, Chief Judge Robert Bell, has begun an active effort to educate members of the public about the independence of the judiciary.

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ITV Programs

Democracy It Is!
The four democracy it is! episodes in this first edition feature three friends, Haley, Trent, and Lily who discover the importance of rules, rights, responsibilities, and choices of citizens in our society.
Airs Wednesday, September 5, 3:30 am

Symbols of America
This NEW 10-part series is designed to help young learners understand and appreciate the images that have become the symbols that represent the greatness of the world's mightiest nation.
Airs Wednesday, September 19, 1:30 am

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