This document provides links to four websites about the Legislative Branch of Government in the United States. Below each of the links is a set of assessment questions to guide students and allow students to discover the true power and processes of the Legislative Branch. This document includes live links that have been tested and relevant questions applying to each of the websites. This activity can be printed or can be used in a classroom with student computers. This is a Microsoft Word version of the webquest. If you are interested in other Social Studies and History resources please check out my Project Education Store.

In this activity, students will complete the Federal Budget Challenge. This challenge is an internet activity that can be found at Federal Budget Challenge. Students will be learning how complex and difficult the process of governmental budgeting is and the scope of the United States spending. This activity includes the necessary link to access the challenge and also five response questions to challenge students thinking and reasoning. This activity is designed to be used with computers and/or tablets. Students can complete individually, in small groups, or as a class depending on available computer resources. This resource includes a Microsoft Word and PDF version. If you are interested in other Social Studies and History resources please check out my Project Education Shop.

Handout includes graphic organizer organizing the aspects of the Intolerable Acts and how they affected the American colonies. The following aspects of the Intolerable Acts are to be examined by students: Boston Harbor was closed until Boston paid for the ruined tea. Massachusetts’s charter was canceled. The governor decided if and when the legislature could meet Royal officials accused of crimes were sent to Britain for Trial. This let them face a more friendly judge and jury. A new Quartering Act required colonists to house British soldiers The Quebec Act gave a large amount of land to the colony of Quebec. General Thomas Gage became the new governor of Massachusetts. Includes a PDF and Microsoft Word version of the product. If you are interested in other Social Studies/History resources, please check out my shop: Project Education Shop.

This Forms of Government Notebook is a complete resource to use for teaching a unit/chapter on the many forms of government. In this resource, students will complete a variety of activities and tasks that challenge and assess learning. This resource was designed to be taught to learners of many different intelligences and learning styles. Included in this Notebook is writing, artistic, research, and creative activities. The sections of the Notebook include: Notes/Vocabulary - In this section students will complete notes that include vocabulary terms of the different forms of governments. Students must first define what government is (visually), and then research how the different types of government function and operate. What If There Is No Government? - This section asks students “What happens if there is no government?” Students will list reasons why government is important and then find an example of a country/nation that has experienced anarchy/no government. Examples - In this section, students are tasked with finding actual examples of countries/nations that have the forms of government discussed throughout the packet. Students must also create and draw a symbol for each form of government. Definitions - This section includes a vocabulary section of terms related to the different forms of government for students to research and then define. Create Your Own Government - This final section of the notebook comprises multiple pages and is a project designed for students to create their own government. In this project and the pages in the notebook, students must define territorial units, create an economy, legislature, list the powers of the head of state, design a judicial system, and find allies among classmates. Finally, students must create a piece of propaganda for their country. This is a comprehensive resource that can be used to teach students in many grades/abilities the different forms of government. If you are just interested in the Create Your Own Government resource please click this link: Create Your Own Government. If you are interested in other Social Studies/History resources, please check out my shop: Project Education Shop.

The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in American History. The basic ideas of the Declaration of Independence are still important today. This activity uses ideas that are important to learners/students and asks them to declare independence from something that limits their freedom in life. This product lays out the task (create a document of declaring independence) and also includes a rubric, brainstorming activity, list of grievances, and response questions to assess student understanding and learning. Do you want your students to understand the basic ideas of the Declaration of Independence? This activity is great for learners in high school but could also be adjusted to lower grades. The activity asks students to connect a document from hundreds of years ago to an idea present in their own lives. Real world connections are made from this activity. This product includes a Microsoft Word and PDF version of the resource. If you are interested in other Social Studies and History resources please check out my Project Education Shop.

This comprehensive lesson plans explains the roles of citizens in the United States government and how they can exercise their Constitutional rights and responsibilities. The lesson focuses on the creation of student made skits that portray a right that citizens of the United States have. These are rights/responsibilities that all citizens posses in the United States (ex. voting, being fiscally responsible, providing a public service, serving on juries, etc.) The lesson includes a very detailed step by step plan on how to implement the lesson, learning goals and objectives, assessments, time management suggestions, materials needed, and standards. The lesson plan also includes a separate response document that students should complete at the conclusion of the lesson to show understanding of the material. This lesson plan was created using the Ohio Content Standards for High School Government. These standards are very similar to many other standards in other states and areas. If you are interested in other Social Studies and History resources please check out my Project Education Store.

Included in this item is an information and directions handout for a research paper about departments and agencies within the Executive Branch of the United States government. Also included is a peer review handout. This item is meant to be used for a research paper in a government or history class. The document includes directions, guided research questions, grading criteria, and also the peer review handout.

This product is a PowerPoint presentation about Interest Groups and Lobbying in the government of the United States. The product includes easy to understand text and graphics. This is an ideal resource to use when lecturing and for student notes. I recommend using this as a base of knowledge and building off of the information provided. The Powerpoint includes 10 slides of information and 1 slide of interesting internet links.

This product is an instruction sheet for an activity using ToonDoo.com. ToonDoo is a free online cartoon maker that is easy to use and allows users to create cartoons that can be easily edited, modified, and printed. The activity sheet includes instructions for creating a cartoon based on The Bill of Rights. Instructions include a step by step procedure for signing up for an account, instructions for using the website, and a rubric for the creation of the Bill of Rights cartoon.

This document has students examine whether their beliefs align with Democratic values, Republican values, or both. They must analyze specific issues that are controversial and frequently debated in our society. A chart is used to plot students beliefs and they may analyze how those beliefs align with today's political parties in the United States.

The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in American History. The basic ideas of the Declaration of Independence are still important today. This activity uses ideas that are important to learners/students and asks them to declare independence from something that limits their freedom in life. This document includes step by step instructions and response questions for students to answer as they create their own personal Declaration of Independence. This product includes two tasks: Task 1: Students will answer thought questions about freedoms and treatment they experience as a young person. This will help them develop a list complaints or “grievances” about their treatment. Task 2: Students will create a document declaring independence from something affecting their freedom. This will be a product creation. Students must then answer response questions based on their creation. This activity is great for learners in high school but could also be adjusted to lower grades. The activity asks students to connect a document from hundreds of years ago to an idea present in their own lives. Real world connections are made from this activity. This is Version 2 of the Create Your Own Declaration of Independence Activity. This is different from the original. If you are interested in the original version, please click the link: Create Your Own Declaration of Independence. This product includes a Microsoft Word and PDF version of the resource. If you are interested in other Social Studies and History resources please check out my Project Education Shop.

This document provides directions for a group project in which students will write their own Bill according to the process used in the United States government. This document is perfect for an introduction and is by no means an exhaustive look at the legislative process of the U.S. or of American politics. This is a basic project perfect to use in younger grades or to give a base knowledge of the legislative process. Document does include an example related to the 2015-2016 school year but this can be easily edited.

This product is a great resource to use for an American Revolution and/or Foundation of U.S. Government unit. Within this document, students will create 6 tasks that show aspects of the creation of the United States leading up to and including the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. These tasks will help students to better understand the ideas behind the Declaration of Independence and why the American colonies revolted against the British.

This document includes 30 multiple choice questions and two extended response questions to use for a test or quiz over the forms of government. This can be made into a test with little editing or you can copy and paste what you like/need for your own quiz/test.

One page document designed to be used in a high school American Government class. Syllabus of class procedures and synapse of material to be learned. Also includes suggested grade weights. Not included is course calendar or list of assignments.

Presentation/notes over Democracy as a form of government. Good resource to use to introduce the concept of democracy in government. Designed for use in a U.S. government course. Only 3 slides.

This document includes a list of important vocabulary terms to use in an introductory unit for American Government. This list is words only, no definitions are included.

This product includes various activities for students to complete that encourage thought and research about how citizens can be involved in the government and the methods that a citizen can use to change or influence the government. This packet includes a student demonstration in which students must find current events that show how people are involved with the government. It includes a current events graphic organizer. A vocabulary handout that can be modified for notes, and also a peer review for the student demonstration mentioned above. Multiple activities included.

This presentation includes slides about the various forms of government around the world.

Chart used for notes when teaching about the roles of the U.S. President.