________________________ What Buyers Are Saying: ---Really helpful! ________________________ ABOUT THE MOVIE The movie "1776" is great for teaching about the American Revolution and specifically the Declaration of Independence. Students usually find it to be unlike any movie they've seen before, since the vast majority of them haven't seen any live-action musicals, and certainly not ones stuffed with thrilling political debates and clever parliamentary procedure! 1776 MOVIE WORKSHEETS HELP MANAGE CLASS TIME These worksheets are designed to be used batch by batch as students finish watching portions of the movie -- or they can be used after the whole movie has been watched, as a final assessment. Either way, it helps students to pay better attention when they know they'll be held accountable for doing just that. WORKSHEET ORGANIZATION There are worksheets for the beginning, middle, and ending phases of the movie. The first two worksheet sets are formatted so that True/False and Multiple Choice questions appear on different pages, allowing teachers to use one question type during viewing and the other afterwards as a quiz, if they like. Lots of options! Happy teaching! Movie Worksheets by Elise Parker keywords: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, slavery debates, Independence Hall, King George III, John Hancock, George Washington, Revolutionary War, Continental Army

Use these Gandhi Movie Worksheets to Bring a Modern Independence Movement to Life! We've all been there -- wracking our brains to try to figure out how to encourage students to pay better attention during a movie. These movie worksheets will take the guesswork out of figuring out how much each student is really following along and listening when the class is watching the Academy-Award winning 1982 film Gandhi, starring Ben Kingsley in the title role. The worksheets provide 123 unique fill-in-the-blank problems for students to complete as they watch the movie. Each of the problems requires student to pay close attention, which will of course help them learn and retain more! An added bonus is that using the worksheets will also help students better figure out who is who on-screen, since many of the dialog segments are labeled with the character's name -- no more mixing up Nehru with Jinnah, for example! History Matters The cloze answers are far from random -- each one was specifically selected as an important history element that students should be aware of. Having students listen for and then write down these key terms such as partition and non-violence will help to draw their attention to those concepts, in essence highlighting them for the students. I am always personally amazed by the mastery level I get from the students after using cloze worksheets like this -- when I stop the movie for the day and collect their papers, then read aloud a few of the cloze problems they solved in the last 40 minutes, a significant number of them can rattle the answers off from memory, showing that they really did learn something; the movie didn't just go in one ear and out the other. Differentiation is Key Because I know full well that a one-size-fits-all approach to instruction can miss more than it hits, I have provided both basic and advanced levels of the cloze worksheets. In the case of the basic level, there are even two different worksheets for students to do. That way, if teachers want to make sure answers aren't shared from one class to another or across rows in the same class, the solution is at their fingertips. Teacher Convenience is a MUST! I know you're busy, so these Ghandi cloze worksheets are designed to minimize implementation time. Both advanced and basic worksheets come in two flavors: reusable and consumable. Keywords: Gandhi, India, Indian history, Mahatma, nationalism, south Asia, Jinnah, Nehru, partition, Pakistan, British colonialism, the jewel in the crown, Raj, decolonization, de-colonization, Indian Independence, Amritsar Massacre

All good teachers know that many students respond better when they can fully immerse themselves in a topic -- but they also know that all too often, students regard a movie shown in class as "free time" or even "nap time." To keep students on their toes and hold them accountable when watching The Help, use this comprehensive movie guide. Students are guided through the action on screen by filling out worksheets as they go -- or can be tested afterwards using the same questions. Teachers have their choice of presenting students with multiple choice questions or with more challenging free-answer versions of the questions, and to make life even better, the free-answer questions are presented on both consumable worksheets and ones designed to be re-used over and over. Convenience Features of these The Help Movie Worksheets For ease of use, the movie is divided into four segments -- each one has a separate worksheet. This lets teachers hold kids accountable just for the sections of the movie they were present to see. The movie guide also contains a solid selection of discussion questions that can be used after the whole movie has been viewed. These are appropriate not just for class debates, but also for formal essays and other types of presentations. Historical Elements featured in The Help Movie Guide The Help is work of fiction, but the action is set in the Deep South during the Civil Rights Movement -- even touching upon the assassination of Medgar Evers. The movie makes history come alive immersing students in the world of race relations that prevailed in the South and asking important questions about both history and society. The Help can provide an excellent introduction to a unit on the Civil Rights Era, helping students to feel connected to -- and invested in -- the events of this key period in American history. Where to find the film that goes with these The Help Movie Worksheets The Help is available on DVD and also on various streaming services such as Netflix. This movie guide will transform it from "just a film" into a true learning experience. Thanks for reading this far -- I hope you download the preview and enjoy using the materials! Elise Parker keywords: Civil Rights, Civil Rights Era, Mississippi, Medgar Evers, JFK, 1960s, history movies, teaching through movies, movie guides, segregation, discrimination, Jim Crow, separate but equal, separate-but-equal

U.S. Constitution Worksheet Puzzle Focusing on the First Amendment! These puzzles focus on freedom of religion, examining the free exercise and establishment clauses that help to guarantee Americans' religious liberties. Differentiated Learning is Embedded in these Freedom of Religion 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 Freedom of Religion 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!

U.S. Constitution Worksheet Puzzle Focusing on the First Amendment! These puzzles focus on freedom of religion, detailing the history of established religions both in Europe and in the 13 colonies -- experiences which formed the basis of the American realization of the importance of religious liberties. Differentiated Learning is Embedded in these Freedom of Religion 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 Freedom of Religion 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!

U.S. Constitution Worksheet Puzzle Focusing on the Need for a Bill of Rights! These puzzles focus on the general principles that underlie the need for a Bill of Rights, delving into the history that led up to the U.S. Bill of Rights! Differentiated Learning is Embedded in these Bills of Rights 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 Bills of Rights 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!

U.S. Constitution Worksheet Puzzle Focusing on the U.S. Bill of Rights! These puzzles focus on the provisions of the U.S. Bill of Rights, helping students to identify, among other things, the five key freedoms embedded in the First Amendment and the purpose of the Ninth and Tenth Amendments! Differentiated Learning is Embedded in these Bill of Rights 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 Bill of Rights 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!

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

U.S. Government Worksheet Puzzle Focusing on the Role of the Supreme Court in the U.S. Constitutional System! These puzzles focus on how the Supreme Court does its work to interpret the Constitution, including methods of interpretation and court procedures for accepting, rejecting, and ruling on cases. Differentiated Learning is Embedded in these Supreme Court 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 Supreme Court 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! 25 Terms & Clues address the following concepts: Advisory opinions Amendments Appeals process Appellate jurisdiction Appointments Article III Congress Enforcement of court decisions Federalism Fundamental Principles Jurisdiction Landmark decisions Life terms Litigant Modernism Original Intent Political considerations Textualism Thousands Writ of Certiorari Written opinions

U.S. Government Worksheet Puzzle Focusing on the First Amendment: Freedom of Assembly and Freedom of Petition These puzzles focus on helping students understand two key freedoms embedded in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution -- Assembly and Petition, along with the closely related right known as Association, which is implied but not stated in the text itself. Differentiated Learning is Embedded in these First Amendment 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 Freedom of Assembly & Petition 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! 27 Terms & Clues address the following concepts: Alexis de Tocqueville Assembly Association Back Pay as a topic for petitions sent to Congress Bonus Army Civil Rights Movement Communist Party Congress Email as a method of petition English Common Law State constitution protection of the rights of assembly and petition Gag Rule to prevent right of petition from being used Herbert Hoover House of Commons The relationship between the colonies and the British Parliament Magna Carta Massachusetts New York Nondiscrimination Petition Preventing Riots Organizations allowed to discriminate Public Forum Slavery Supreme Court Right of petition as a means for non-voters to be heard

U.S. Government Worksheet Puzzle Focusing on the First Amendment: Freedom of Speech also known as Freedom of Expression These puzzles focus on helping students understand one of the most fundamental liberties of all: freedom of speech and expression. Embedded in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, this freedom is a key part of the American system of government. Differentiated Learning is Embedded in these First Amendment 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 Freedom of Speech 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! 20 Terms & Clues address the following concepts: Abolitionism as a form of controversial speech in its day What rights freedom of speech underlies Brandenburg Test to determine if limits on free speech are permissible Government not allowed to censor based on content Jefferson's view of free speech John Stuart Mill Least Restrictive means of achieving a government goal Truthfulness required in court Majorities and the potential for abuse McCarthy Era Representative government Secret Military information given special status Sedition Act Seditious Libel Terrorism as a trigger for limiting free speech Three valid limits government can impose on free speech Truth as a defense to libel charges Vague laws impermissible Violence as a probable alternative is free speech is stifled Emphasis given to freedom of speech in the original Constitution

40-problem cloze viewing worksheet, crossword puzzle review designed for differentiated learning, and helpful teaching aids to assist you as you lead your students through a fun and engaging review of U.S. history as told through key Supreme Court cases that clearly show the various eras the nation has experienced! This video activity packet is intended for use with the excellent PBS series The Supreme Court. The series consists of four episodes, each lasting an hour. Through watching all four episodes, students will be explore in chronological order the entire history of the Supreme Court up through the early 21st century. The program first aired on PBS in 2007 but will remain relevant for many, many years to come! What This PBS The Supreme Court Episode 1 Worksheet Packet Includes: • Comprehensive fill-in worksheet with 40 problems: All problems are presented in video order so that students can follow along. Doing the worksheet as they watch requires students to pay close attention to all narration so they can “catch” the next problem coming up. This leads to higher student engagement with the video and more learning! • Student answer sheet: The student worksheet is formatted to discourage students from writing directly on their copies. This way, teachers can make one class set and use it for years, saving them both time and paper! Students can write on their own paper, of course, but using the included answer sheet will facilitate super-fast grading since it will guarantee that student answers “line up” perfectly with the answer key. • Answer key for fast grading: This key perfectly matches the student answer sheet so that teachers can correct 3, 5, or even more papers at once should they choose – just spread them out carefully so all student pages line up with the key, and you’ll be able to correct student work in nothing flat! • Answer key for going over answers with the class: Instead of grading the papers yourself, you can have students grade themselves or each other with this key. Instead of just reading out the right answer, you can make the “correcting phase” a learning/review experience by reading students the whole sentence they were looking at during viewing, pausing when the answer appears to let the class or selected students supply the correct answer. This lets students hear the key sentences again, helping to reinforce key concepts and information! • Teacher reference materials: Included is a list of all the laws and court cases discussed during the episode, as well as a full transcript of the episode’s narration in case you want to quickly review what the program had to say on a particular topic. • Crossword puzzle activity: Differentiated for basic and advanced learners; 28 words & clues!

U.S. Government Worksheet Puzzle Focusing on the United States Congress and how its members represent their constituents These puzzles focus on helping students understand the various tasks members of Congress perform and theories of how they should approach their primary duty of representing constituents. Differentiated Learning is Embedded in these U.S. Congress 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 United States Congress 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!

U.S. Government Worksheet Puzzle Focusing on key differences between the U.S. Constitutional system and a parliamentary system of government These puzzles focus on helping students understand how the U.S. Congress differ from the British Parliament. Great for comparative government lessons! Differentiated Learning is Embedded in these U.S. Congress 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 United States Congress 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!

37-problem cloze viewing worksheet, crossword puzzle review designed for differentiated learning, and helpful teaching aids to assist you as you lead your students through a fun and engaging review of U.S. history as told through key Supreme Court cases that clearly show the various eras the nation has experienced! This video activity packet is intended for use with the excellent PBS series The Supreme Court. The series consists of four episodes, each lasting an hour. Through watching all four episodes, students will be explore in chronological order the entire history of the Supreme Court up through the early 21st century. The program first aired on PBS in 2007 but will remain relevant for many, many years to come! What This PBS The Supreme Court Episode 2 Worksheet Packet Includes: • Comprehensive fill-in worksheet with 37 problems: All problems are presented in video order so that students can follow along. Doing the worksheet as they watch requires students to pay close attention to all narration so they can “catch” the next problem coming up. This leads to higher student engagement with the video and more learning! • Student answer sheet: The student worksheet is formatted to discourage students from writing directly on their copies. This way, teachers can make one class set and use it for years, saving them both time and paper! Students can write on their own paper, of course, but using the included answer sheet will facilitate super-fast grading since it will guarantee that student answers “line up” perfectly with the answer key. • Answer key for fast grading: This key perfectly matches the student answer sheet so that teachers can correct 3, 5, or even more papers at once should they choose – just spread them out carefully so all student pages line up with the key, and you’ll be able to correct student work in nothing flat! • Answer key for going over answers with the class: Instead of grading the papers yourself, you can have students grade themselves or each other with this key. Instead of just reading out the right answer, you can make the “correcting phase” a learning/review experience by reading students the whole sentence they were looking at during viewing, pausing when the answer appears to let the class or selected students supply the correct answer. This lets students hear the key sentences again, helping to reinforce key concepts and information! • Teacher reference materials: Included is a list of all the laws and court cases discussed during the episode, as well as a full transcript of the episode’s narration in case you want to quickly review what the program had to say on a particular topic. • Crossword puzzle activity: Differentiated for basic and advanced learners; 27 words & clues!

We the People Crossword Puzzles -- A Great Way to Preview and Review Material! Looking for a fun way to get students engaged with lesson content and help them zero in on key concepts and important details about U.S. government and the U.S. Constitution? Puzzles work well! This government crossword puzzle set is intended for use with Lesson 22 of We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution. As such, it dives deep into the role of Congress in the American constitutional system -- everything from how a bill becomes a law and how Congress makes decisions to the rules in the House and Senate and Congress' powers of investigation, including impeachment. TWO DIFFERENT CROSSWORD PUZZLE SETS INCLUDED Lesson 22 of We the People has a lot of content and I didn’t want to try to smash it all into a single puzzle. Nor did I want to neglect any important items in the lesson. Easy solution – I decided to just make multiple crossword puzzles for the lesson, and organize them according to logical themes! Here’s what you’ll get in this We the People Worksheets Set for Lesson 22: • Congressional Rules & Lawmaking Worksheet Materials (Covers Pages 152 – 157) o Crossword Puzzle (More challenging) o Crossword Puzzle with Word Bank (For differentiated learning) o Answer Grid (Provides full solution with clues there for convenience) o Answer List (For review, discussion, and vocabulary study) • Congressional Decision-Making & Investigations Worksheet Materials (Covers Page 158 – 160) o Crossword Puzzle (More challenging) o Crossword Puzzle with Word Bank (For differentiated learning) o Answer Grid (Provides full solution with clues there for convenience) o Answer List (For review, discussion, and vocabulary study) Differentiated Learning is Embedded in these We the People Crossword Puzzle Worksheets This We the People Crossword Puzzle 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.

U.S. Government Worksheet Puzzle Focusing on State Governments! 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. These puzzles zero in specifically on the functioning of state governments -- how they are organized and how they perform their duties in the U.S. constitutional system. Differentiated Learning is Embedded in these State Government 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 State Government 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! 23 Clues & Terms address the following concepts: Bicameral legislatures Biennial legislative sessions Bill of Rights at the state level Boroughs Counties Governors Judges Madison Municipalities Ordinances Parishes Police Powers Representation by population Right to Work laws State senates Special Districts States State Supreme Courts Tenth Amendment Unicameral legislatures

U.S. Government Worksheet Puzzle Focusing on the how the powers of the United States Congress derive from the U.S. Constitution These puzzles focus on helping students understand what the U.S. Constitution has to say about the powers Congress is authorized to exercise. Differentiated Learning is Embedded in these U.S. Congress 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 United States Congress 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!

Instructions, lesson plan, and easy to use worksheet to help students track information and analyze the proceedings of the Senate during confirmation hearings for cabinet posts and Supreme Court justices. Helps teachers easily use video primary source footage in government, current events, and U.S. history classes! The Nitty-Gritty Here's how this Senate confirmation hearing worksheet works: • Students are asked to fill out the nominee, the position sought, the hearing context (full Senate? Specific committee instead?) and the date of the hearing. • Students wait for a question, then summarize it briefly. • Students determine if the question is fair to the nominee, and also if it is a valid question -- one which is appropriate to ask. They simply check off yes or no to this issue, since minimal writing means more attention can be paid to listening to the video feed. • Students listen to the nominee's answer and decide if they think the nominee should or should not be confirmed based on that single answer. • Students write comments as needed to explain their perspectives about questions or answers. That's all there is to it! A Class Lesson Plan for Watching a Confirmation Hearing My own usage of the worksheet looks approximately like this: • Briefly orient students to activity. Pass out worksheets. • Watch approx. 30 minutes of a confirmation hearing while students view with me and fill out their worksheets. • During the 30 minutes, hit pause or mute on the hearing as needed to clarify points for the class or ask them for feedback. After an interesting Q&A (typically 8 or 10 minutes of coverage), I might debrief with the class before resuming. On the other hand, I might wait until the 30 minutes are over and then debrief the students. • To debrief, I ask questions like this: Who thought the question wasn't fair or valid? Explain why you think that.... Who would confirm the nominee based on the last answer? Why? Who would refuse to confirm? Why? • I've found in my years of teaching that students in government really want to discuss issues and put forth their own views. When we debrief a confirmation hearing, I usually get a lot of participation and engagement, sometimes even from students who don't usually volunteer to speak in class!

U.S. Government Worksheet Puzzle Focusing on the little-studied by highly important topic of the federal bureaucracy -- how the laws passed by Congress are *actually* carried out and enforced! These puzzles focus on helping students understand how the federal bureaucracy made up of government agencies forms a key part of the United States government apparatus! Differentiated Learning is Embedded in these Federal Bureaucracy 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 Federal Bureaucracy Congress 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!