Federalism Crossword Puzzle: Federalism in Action (U.S. Government Puzzle Worksheets)

U.S. Government Worksheet Puzzle Focusing on Federalism in Action!

These puzzles focus on a key concept of U.S. Government: federalism, or the fact that the U.S. Constitutional system includes both state governments and a national government. By doing these puzzles, students will see how federalism actually works in practice -- how states function as laboratories of democracy, and how they assist -- or sometimes obstruct -- the U.S. federal government as it pursues its goals.

Differentiated Learning is Embedded in these Federalism Crossword Puzzle Worksheets

This packet contains worksheets with two levels of difficulty to help teachers differentiate the material for their students. The first crossword included features a standard format with just the puzzle grid and the clues list.

The second crossword puzzle page, however, is intended for students that need learning aids – it also includes a Word Bank list that will assist students in filling out the puzzle by providing them with all of the possible answers. This “basic” level puzzle still requires students to think critically, though – they have to read each clue and figure out which word bank entry best suits it.


Teacher Convenience Features in these Federalism Puzzle Worksheets

This packet includes a traditional crossword puzzle answer key that shows the words filled into their correct slots. However, to help teachers who want to conduct a class discussion on the terms, there is also an “Answer List” page that matches up the key words with their clues. This format means that teachers don’t have to hunt for answers on the grid when they are discussing items with the class!

18 Clues & Terms address the following government concepts:

States as laboratories of democracy
States that go beyond federal mandates
Congress
Cooperation between states and federal government
Federalism
States that still use their original state constitutions
Great Depression
Issues on which states are taking the lead
Initiative process
Kyoto Accords
Money as a lever to gain state compliance
States that resist federal mandates
Issues which states feel the federal goverment should stay out of
Progressive
Recall
Referendum