Provides a lesson plan designed to help students better understand the concept of a constitution, distinguish constitutional law from statutory law, and recognize examples of constitutional government. (BSR)

A collection of essays designed to provide educators and other interested individuals with contemporary perspectives on the U.S. Constitution and separation of powers is presented. Separation of powers refers to one of the enduring principles of the U.S. constitutional system of government, in which governmental powers are subject to a division of…

The three chapters in Unit 2 of a six-unit series on Indiana state history designed to be taught in Indiana secondary schools chronicle the need for rewriting the Constitution of 1816, the events of the Constitutional Convention of 1850-51, and the details of the new constitution. Chapter 1 explains the reasons that Hoosiers wanted a new…

This study guide and workbook is intended to be used by students in conjunction with two books: "Alaska State Government and Politics" and "Alaska's Urban and Rural Governments." Each of the 15 units in the guide contains four sections. (1) The learning objectives tell the students what they should have learned after reading…

This document is intended as a resource guide for teachers to use in helping students to understand how the United States system of government operates. It examines the background, historical application, and current debate concerning the principle of checks and balances. Ten study sheets feature various figures and episodes prominently associated…

Through an exploration of essential documents and writings that led to and derived from the creation of the U.S. Constitution, this book chronicles U.S. history from 1775 to 1791. Major sections include: (1) the origins of the Constitution; (2) America in 1787; (3) the grand federal convention; (4) ratification of the Constitution; (5) the first…

The proper role and function of the Supreme Court in the United States' system of government has been a matter of great controversy in recent years. "The Federalist Papers," specifically the documents written by "Publius," have much insight to contribute to this debate. In "Federalist #78," Publius makes the case for…

The structure and operations of a school based on Kohlberg's concept of just community are described. This approach integrates social studies and English curricula with a program of moral discussions and a governance structure based on a participatory democracy. (Author/DE)

Presents a teaching unit which will enable secondary students to differentiate between unitary, federal, and confederate forms of government; list factors leading to the formation of the U.S. federal system of government; and understand how different structures of government result in different degrees of freedom, responsibilities, and…

This document is an English-language (Approximately 1,500 words) of an Egyptian decree organizing the Ministry of Education. It spells out the duties of the Minister of Education and the bureaucratic hierarchy reporting to him, with a delineation of their respective responsibilities. The major administrative divisions are devoted to elementary…

This book for third-to-eighth graders explains why government is needed, what it does, and how it works, by providing a grand tour of Washington, DC. The guided reading level is Q-R and the Fry level is 3.8. The suggested grade range is 3-8.

This guide presents learning objectives, background information, activities, vocabulary, and word-search puzzles on local government and politics for junior high and high school. Although it is intended for use in New York schools, much of the material should be adaptable to any state. Topics covered are: (1) types and functions of government; (2)…

Federalism is conducive to two important elements of the political process: competition and the search for compromise. This is a reason for the prosperity and political stability of the Federal Republic of Germany. Many citizens can involve themselves in the political life of the nation, whether at the federal or state level. With its area of…

Changing political, social, economic, and intellectual conditions over the past two hundred years have demanded innovation and adjustment of legal doctrine, thus giving the United States Constitution a character which the framers of the document could not have predicted. Historically, one must not only understand developments since 1787 but also…

Using a simulation of the constitutional procedures on appointment of U.S. Supreme Court justices, illustrates how the separation of powers established by the Constitution affects all three branches of government. Provides an outline of the simulation procedure, a lesson plan, and a brief bibliography. (LS)