Lesson introducing the system of checks and balances with contextual examples that pupils can use in exam answers to support their analysis.

Lesson introducing the separation of powers - building on the knowledge of checks and balances to investigate whether 'separate' institutions is a more fitting description than 'separate' powers.

Lesson introducing the presidential system including the features of the presidential system and the provisions in the constitution and guiding principles of the US congressional system.

Lesson examining the different types of democracy and sovreignty evident in the US political system with a design-a-constitution activity

Lesson organising arguments for and against codified and uncodified constitutions, with a design-a-constitution activity

Lesson introducing the US Constitution

Brief history/snapshot of the USA in preparation for the US Constitution topic - statistics can be used as a source - what can pupils learn about US society from these statistics.

Card sort (definition matching) of key vocabulary in the US Congress topic

Lesson examining the leadership roles in both houses of Congress

Lesson examining the powers of Congress, and how to plan out an essay answer to an exam question comparing the prestige of the House and Senate

Lesson examining the roles of Congress, with a pass the parcel note taking activity

Pupil-led project examining the composition of Congress

Lesson introducing the structure of Congress and constitutional requirements to be a senator or representative in addition to asking pupils to think about extra-constitutional requirements that may be expected by the public.

End of topic fact test for constitution topic

Fact test used at the end of the US constitution topic

This lesson examines the reforms and proposed reforms of the House of Lords, examining the options available and the pros and cons of each - including Coalition plans.

A lesson examining reform of the House of Commons.

This lesson examines the formation of the Coalition after the election of a hung parliament at the 2010 general election, using the 5 Days That Changed Britain documentary to give pupils an insight into the process behind the formation of the Coalition and the Coalition agreement.

A lesson constructing a model answer to an exam question assessing how effective parliament is, building on previous learning of the methods parliament uses to scrutinise the government and the legislative process.

A lesson examining the effectiveness parliament - stepped approach to answering 'How effective is parliament?' exam question, asking pupils to find their own contemporary examples to use in a model answer.