US Government
Related Topics and Subtopics:
The American Form of Government - This ten minute video is an overview of the various forms of government, examples of each from history, and leads into a discussion about the difference between a democracy and a republic. Excellent material for any student. (M, O)
Law Focused Education Inc. - Online games - The mission of LFEI is to "plan, promote and support law-related education programs which are aimed at preparing elementary, middle and high school students for effective, responsible citizenship, and which are committed to liberty, justice and the Rule of Law." These are the games we are currently showcasing on our website. To play these games, you will need to have Adobe Flash Player 9 or greater installed on your computer. (Y, M, O, T)
Bill of Rights Institute - The Bill of Rights Institute offers a variety of educational resources free of charge. Weekly eLessons offer 20-minute discussion guides for middle and high school history and government teachers. Each eLesson includes a lively background reading, discussion questions and extension options. They are an excellent source of lessons relating to primary source documents having to do with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. (Y, M, O, T)
CIA Kids' Page - Welcome. We’re glad you’re here to learn more about the Central Intelligence Agency. The CIA is an independent US government agency that provides national security “intelligence” to key US leaders so they can make important, informed decisions. CIA employees gather intelligence (or information) in a variety of ways, not just by “spying” like you see in the movies or on TV (though we do some of that, too). On the following pages, you can read more about us, play some games, and help us solve some puzzles. Throughout this section, you’ll also see some top secret things you won’t find anywhere else. (Y, M, O, T)
CIA for Parents & Teachers - While the CIA Kids’ Page provides kid-friendly information about the Agency, this page gives you additional resources, lesson plans, and discussion points for you and your children/students to learn more about the CIA and its history of intelligence. At the CIA, we know parents and teachers are valuable resources for children, especially when they have questions or are seeking advice. In this section, you’ll find the following useful information:Internet Safety, Teacher Resources and Suggested Lesson Plans, how to use the CIA Web Site in the classroom and topical lesson-plans about the CIA, its history, and its role today. Help Kids Say No to Drugs How-to advice on helping children avoid drug abuse. (Y, M, O, T)
America's Debate Radio - US Government Podcasts · State Government Podcasts · World Government Podcasts (O, T)
Congress.org - Great site for U.S. Government information. Includes directories from the President straight on down to local elected officials, Supreme Court judges and Federal Agencies. Legislation information: Bill Search, Vote Search, State Bill Search, Track Votes by Email. Election: Election 2008 Candidates & Info, 2008 Presidential Candidates and Register to Vote. (M, O, T)
Bill of Rights Day - Celebrations Mini-Unit Grade 5 (Y)
Bill of Rights Day - December 15th - Ideas for Observing Bill of Rights Day (Y, M, O, T)
The Bill of Rights Theme Unit - Grades 8 to 9 (O)
Constitution for Kids - K-3 - Includes information on the basics, history, the Bill of Rights and more! Grades K-3 (Y)
Constitution for Kids - Grades 4 - 7 - Includes information on the basics, history, slavery, the Bill of Rights Women and how it all works together. Grades 4-7 (M)
The Constitution for Kids: 8th - 12th Grade - Includes information on the basics, history, slavery, the Bill of Rights Women and how it all works together. Grades 8-12 (O)
Save the Bill of Rights Game - From the National Constitution Center. Help! The official National computer has crashed. Help us find the lost Amendments!!! (M O)
The Bill of Rights Web Guides - Primary Documents in American History (Y, M, O, T)
Bill of Rights Institute - Free Resources, Lessons, Contests and Programs (Y, M, O, T)
Bill of Rights Memory Game - Match the first ten amendments of the United States Constitution to the rights of the citizens that they guarantee. (M O)
First Amendment Quiz - Teach the First Amendment. (O)
The Constitution of the United States: The Bill of Rights - From White House Kids.gov (Y)
Bill of Rights Golf - (O)
Do You have the Right? - Student page designed for older students. (O)
U.S. Federal Links for the Classroom - (Y, M, O, T)
KidsGov.com - The official kids portal to the US Government. Explore, learn, and have fun! Information grouped by age and subject for grades K-5, 6-8 and educators! (Y,M,T)
USA Freedom Corps - USA Freedom Corps is an office of the White House that was started by President George W. Bush to help expand volunteer service around the United States. As President Bush says, everyone can do something. That includes you, your friends, and your family! We’ve put together many great ideas on this site to help you find a way to start giving back to your community. While you may be young in age, you already know the kinds of things you care about – helping animals, helping your neighbors, or keeping your neighborhood and our environment clean. So keep reading this site, talk to your family and friends, and get started! (Y, M, O, T)
America's Heritage: An Adventure in Liberty - This excellent history resource is a newly available, tested curriculum supplement for Kindergarten-12th grade teachers of social studies, U. S. history, U. S. government, political science, economics, geography, speech, and/or related subjects. Written by fellow teachers, the curriculum consists of age-appropriate and modifiable lesson plans grouped into three separate books according to level: elementary, middle, and high school... All lessons emphasize one or more themes of freedom, unity, progress, and responsibility. The curriculum aims not simply to present historical facts but to provide opportunities for students to explore and understand the factual and philosophical significance and meaning behind events, causes, and effects—the whys—relating to and influencing the early history of the United States. Available for Elementary, Middle, and High School levels. Elementary levels contain ESL/Spanish editions. (T)
Ben's Guide to the US Government for Kids - Ben Franklin, that is… from the US Government Printing Office, this site offers a nice explanation of the electoral college with links to related topics (M,O)
The U.S. Constitution Power Grab Game - To encourage students to comprehend checks and balances, separation of powers, Bill of Rights and amendments and relate them to the study of the three branches of our federal government. Several activities are described. The culminating activity is the "Power Grab Game" given before the final test on the Constitution Unit. (O)
Powers of Government - Using a memory/matching game, students learn about the powers of the federal and state governments. (O)
Bill of Rights - Using the US Bill of Rights as a springboard, students discuss and create a bill of rights for an intergalactic space colony. Note: Ignore the "problem loading page" message and click the continue button. The lesson plan will come up on the next page. (M,O)
You and the U.S. Constitution - To understand why people who work and play together need to follow rules; and how these rules are developed. (Y,M)
Arizona State Legislature. - Use this web site as a tool to track pending legislation, plus locate and contact individual legislators, and stay up-to-date on current issues. For an overview of the legislative process in Arizona, please feel free to explore our web site. (M, O, T)