2,556 results
8th grade government lesson pdfs
Declaration of Independence Activity: The Big Break Up Letter & Texting Activity
The Declaration of Independence was really just a big "break-up" letter written by the colonists to the King of Great Britain. This historical document was written to convince the world of the King's abuses and to let everyone know that the colonies no longer wanted to be in a relationship with Great Britain. While studying the Declaration of Independence, students will use this assignment as a reinforcement to understand just what Jefferson wrote in this historical document. The lesson start
Grades:
5th - 9th
Types:
CCSS:
Also included in: American History U.S. History Bundle: Beginnings through the 1850's
Judicial Branch Simulation: "No Vehicles on the Sidewalk"
"The Judicial Branch interprets the law." When I say this to my students for the first time, they all have the same blank look on their faces. My students always benefit from a simulation of what it means to "interpret a law." After completing this activity, they have a firm grasp on the importance of interpreting laws and the difficult decisions made by members of the Judicial Branch.
This packet contains 2 introduction pages and 6 scenarios in which students will help "interpret" the law.
Subjects:
Grades:
5th - 8th
Types:
Also included in: Branches of Government Bundle
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Activity: Primary Source Analysis and Questions
The Declaration of Independence can be a daunting document for teachers to explain to students, but this primary source lesson will help students understand the major themes and concepts within the document itself. Though Thomas Jefferson's Declaration was written in the 18th century, this worksheet has proven to be a fantastic, big-picture way for today's students to study such an important writing without becoming overwhelmed. The Declaration is really just a big "break-up letter" from the co
Subjects:
Grades:
7th - 12th
Types:
3 Branches of Government 3D Project Cube *History Craftivity*
Bring history to life by creating a 3D Project Cube for 3 Branches of Government. The students will be excited to get out of the text book, or plain old lecturing. Excite your students with this fun 3D Project Cube. When can you use it?Review Time: Use the cube as a review activity to reinforce key concepts before an assessment or as a quick refresher.Small Groups: Assign small groups of students to work collaboratively on the cube, encouraging teamwork and discussion.Exemplary Task: Showcase ex
Grades:
4th - 12th
Types:
Legislative Branch Activity: Classroom Simulation on How a Bill Becomes a Law
Make civics practical and exciting for students using this Social Studies simulation that allows students to experience the Legislative Branch! Students will participate in writing bills for their school, community, or state while learning the various stages within the lawmaking process. All voices are heard as students become members of Congress, participate in committees, debate on the floor, and watch their President sign the bills that survive the entire process. Not only do students love
Subjects:
Grades:
6th - 12th
Types:
Presidential Election 2024 | Political Parties Spectrum | Democrat & Republican
The two major Political Parties, Democratic and Republican, are debating their beliefs to influence voters! What is a political party anyway? What is the difference between Democrats and Republicans? Am I a Democrat or Republican? These are common questions that all students begin to ask themselves, and this lesson will help answer all their burning questions!I have been teaching for many years and have struggled to find a resource that helps students truly understand what the differences are
Subjects:
Grades:
7th - 12th, Higher Education
Types:
Roles of the President | A Day in the Life of the Executive Branch | White House
What does the President of the United States do anyway? Throughout the day, the President wears many hats and is responsible for many different roles within the Executive Branch. This engaging mini-lesson is an excellent way for students to comprehend all roles played by the President. "Roles of the President" is an engaging resource for any unit that studies the President or the Executive Branch. The 7 roles studied include: Chief Executive, Chief Diplomat, Commander in Chief, Party Chief, Ec
Subjects:
Grades:
6th - 9th
Also included in: PRESIDENTS BUNDLE: Civics, Executive & Presidential Resources
Divine Right, Absolutism, and the Enlightenment Primary Source Analysis
This primary source analysis activity on Divine Right is an excellent higher-order thinking resource for a unit on Absolute Monarchs or the Enlightenment! The activity includes 2 primary source excerpts. The first is from England's King James I. In it, he details his reasoning for why Divine Right is justified and why Kings are like Gods on Earth. The second source is from John Locke's Two Treatises of Government and explains why Absolutism is not a fair government and why power can only come fr
Subjects:
Grades:
8th - 11th
Types:
Comparing Presidential Policies Chart: Modern America Presidents Activity
This fantastic lesson plan on comparing Presidential Policies is perfect for a lesson on the Executive Branch or for modern US History!The download features a full lesson plan in which students compare various aspects of presidential policies and agendas for every president since World War 2! Your students will look to compare foreign and domestic policies along with significant social events of the era. The included presidents are: Harry TrumanDwight D. EisenhowerJohn F. Kennedy Lyndon JohnsonR
Subjects:
Grades:
7th - 10th
Types:
Election Day Voting Activities on Voter Rights & Behavior - Civics Activities
Dive into voting rights, voter turnout, voter registration, and voting methods in this 7-activity Election Day prep kit.This kit works great as once-a-week stand-alone lessons or a two-week mini-unit leading to Election Day. Or save for super easy sub plans any time in your Civics or Government class. This resource comes in both printable PDF and paperless Google files. Get this and a bunch more activities in the complete 3-5 week Voting & Elections PBL Unit and make engaged citizens out of
Subjects:
Grades:
7th - 12th
Types:
John Adams, Alien and Sedition Acts, XYZ Affair
How did John Adams overcome challenges during his presidency? Students will analyze close-reading documents describing challenges faced by John Adams during his presidency and will complete document-based scaffolding questions in this engaging lesson and activity!Included in this resource:• Title page • Do Now: The Election of 1796 analytical thinking question• President Adams' Challenges {document-based learning activity} with scaffolding questions and activities• Document #1: The Election of
Grades:
6th - 10th
Also included in: Federalist Era George Washington John Adams UNIT BUNDLE
Types of Governments 6-E Intro Unit BUNDLE | FUN Government Resources | Google
This Intro to Types of Governments Unit Bundle has everything needed to keep your classes engaged! The guided lessons are FUN for students & the 6-E teaching model is easy for you to use. The materials focus on identifying types of limited & unlimited governments and comparing & contrasting political systems. Each resource includes a Teacher Reference Guide to help you easily plan. Your purchase has print & digital, interactive versions of the materials. Made for in-class learnin
Subjects:
Grades:
5th - 12th
Canadian Government Gr. 5-8
Travel back to Confederation to see how Canada became a new nation. Our resource breaks down the responsibilities and parts of the federal government.About this Resource: Recognize that Canada is a democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with the head of state being the King or Queen. Read the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, before writing your own Constitution for a new country. Create a presentation on one of the departments the federal government is responsible for, such as nationa
Subjects:
Grades:
5th - 8th
Types:
Also included in: Governments of North America BIG BOOK - BUNDLE
The West Wing Teaching Guide - Seasons 1-7
This is a complete book for ALL 7 SEASONS!
Like most Social Studies teachers, I’m always very excited anytime a new movie or better yet television series comes out that is about something that I teach in class. Yes, there are often lots of inaccuracies, but it’s about the things I love…and that things I teach….double whammy! The West Wing was one of those series, but more than just watching when it was on TV, I now find myself watching it over and over again in the years since it has gone off
Subjects:
Grades:
7th - 12th
Types:
Judicial Branch and Supreme Court
What are the roles and responsibilities of the highest court of the Judicial Branch? Students will research and understand the role and responsibilities of the Judicial Branch's Supreme Court, the structure of the Supreme Court, and judicial review in this engaging lesson and activity!Included in this resource:• Title page • Do Now: Student-centered critical thinking question - Have you ever had someone settle an argument for you? What did they do or say to settle the argument? • The Supreme
Grades:
5th - 9th
Also included in: Constitution UNIT BUNDLE
Hands on History-Constitution and Bill of Rights Puzzle
I use this Constitution and Bill of Rights Puzzle as a way to review the major ideas and people from the document. There are 15 pieces to the puzzle.I print out the puzzle on card stock or laminate it (so they last longer), and cut it out. I put each of the pieces in their own little bag. Then I pass out each bag to the students. I will use this puzzle periodically throughout my unit over the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The first time I will give the students 5-10 minutes to see how much th
Subjects:
Grades:
5th - 12th
Types:
Also included in: Constitution Bundle
Legislative Branch: Lessons and Activities
Spark your students' interest in the legislative branch with this product! This packet includes primary source passages, a chance to get involved in the legislative branch, a simulation experience, a compare/contrast activity, and a review activity.
Some of the lesson sheets in this packet contain excerpts from the U.S. Constitution. I used the original text of the Constitution, as referenced on www.archives.gov
Contents of this packet:
* Legislative branch lesson and fold-up activity
* The
Grades:
5th - 8th
Types:
Also included in: Branches of Government Bundle
Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, and the Great Compromise
What needs to happen for people to agree? Students will research and analyze the compromises made at the Constitutional Convention in 1787; Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, and the Great Compromise in this engaging lesson and activity!Included in this resource:Title page Do Now/Motivation/Critical Thinking opening questionDefinition of compromise & benefitsCompromise #1: The Power of the Central Government reading passage and diagramVirginia Plan reading with scaffolding questionsNew Jersey
Grades:
6th - 9th
Also included in: Articles of Confederation UNIT BUNDLE with BONUS Activities
Political Parties & the Election Process: A Class Simulation
Election, Voting, Simulation
This interactive and engaging class simulation will introduce your students to the entire election process. From voter registration to campaigning to the Electoral College, students will have fun while learning all the steps to a Presidential Election. By creating unique political parties (Pizza Party, Slumber Party, Birthday Party) and funny candidates (Olive Slice, Holly Wood, Faye Muss), I've created a unit that keeps students interested throughout the learning
Subjects:
Grades:
4th - 8th
Types:
FIRST TEN AMENDMENTS BILL OF RIGHTS
FIRST TEN AMENDMENTS BILL OF RIGHTS
Get your students excited about the first ten amendments of the Constitution as they read situations they can relate to.
This packet includes a chart of the first ten amendments and worksheets that ask them to decide which situations apply to the amendments using the chart. Great for debates and discussions in small or large groups. Students also have to think of other situations that might violate the Bill of Rights. Answers are included.
I'm a teacher/aut
Grades:
5th - 12th, Higher Education
Types:
US History Year in Warm-Ups Skill Based, Mini Lessons, Bell Ringers Bundle
These American History or United States History text investigation history warm-ups or bell-ringers are skill-based, content-rich mini-lessons! They were created to enforce skills that my colleagues and I felt students were just not getting. Each Warm-Up is Key Concepts for US History based (political development, social and cultural development, economic development, and geographic expansion) and skill-focused. First, students review skills such as finding strong evidence to support claims, wri
Grades:
6th - 10th
Types:
Marbury v. Madison and the Power of Judicial Review
Why is the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison significant in American history? Students will analyze the close-reading passages and complete the fill in the blanks describing the historical background of the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison; the story, the people, the problem, and the power of Judicial Review. An engaging lesson and activity!Included in this resource:• Cover Page• Student-centered Do Now questions: - Explain the power of Judicial Review under the U.S. Constitution - Wh
Grades:
5th - 9th
Also included in: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, War Hawks, War of 1812 UNIT BUNDLE
Executive Orders & the President Lesson Plan
This engaging lesson plan on Executive Orders and the Powers of the President is great to use for a unit on the Executive Branch in Civics or American Government!
The download includes a lesson plan with step-by-step instructions on how to use each activity plus video links, and Google Doc versions of each resource!
First is a secondary source introductory reading on Executive Orders, what they are, how they work, and the history of them through the American Presidency. A set of analysis que
Subjects:
Grades:
8th - 11th
Types:
Judicial Branch: Lessons and Activities
Spark your students' interest in the judicial branch with this product! This packet includes lessons, primary source passages, a chance to get involved in the judicial branch, a simulated court case, and a "Gather the Justices" review activity.
Some of the lesson sheets in this packet contain excerpts from the U.S. Constitution. I used the original text of the Constitution, as referenced on www.archives.gov
Contents of this packet:
* Judicial Branch Lesson and Fold-Up Activity
* Responsibi
Grades:
5th - 8th
Types:
Also included in: Branches of Government Bundle
Showing 1-24 of 2,556 results
TPT is the largest marketplace for PreK-12 resources, powered by a community of educators.
IXL family of brands