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Introduction Delegates to the Constitutional Convention The Work Begins Writing the Constitution The Great Compromise Signing the Constitution Ratifying the Constitution Bill of Rights Powers of the Federal Government The Three Branches of Government Checks and Balances Amendments Women - The Right to Vote

  

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Books & Reading

Books & Reading

How is power distributed in the federal government?

Some people are afraid the government in Washington is getting too powerful for the good of the country and the individual person. Others feel that the government in Washington is not getting too strong. Have you been interested enough in this to favor one side over the other?

The power of the federal government to coin money is an example of what kind of power?


Evolution of Federalism


 

Ratifying the Constitution Signing the Constitution Delegates to the Constitutional Convention The Work Begins Writing the Constitution The Great Compromise Bill of Rights Powers of the Federal Government The Three Branches of Government Checks and Balances Amendments Women - The Right to Vote

 
Powers of the Federal Government

Concentration - Constitutional System of Government http://www.quia.com/cc/67694.html
Review of basic governmental principles Try to uncover matching pairs of cards.

Flashcards - Constitutional System of Government http://www.quia.com/jfc/67694.html
Review of basic governmental principles Click on the flashcard to flip it over. Press Other Side on Top to start showing the reverse sides of the flashcards first. Press Remove Card to remove the current card from the deck. Press Try Again Later to keep the current card in the deck and try it again later. Press Restart to put all the cards back in the deck.

Matching - Constitutional System of Government http://www.quia.com/mc/67694.html
Review of basic governmental principles. Find the matching squares.

Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances
http://www.education-world.com/a_tsl/archives/00-1/lesson0014.shtml
Lesson Plan and Activities - Recognize the importance of understanding how the separate powers of the three branches of government work together, in a checks and balances system, to form a single unit of government.

The U.S. Constitution Power Grab Game
http://rims.k12.ca.us/power_grab_game/
This activity will increase your knowledge of the Constitution and it's fundamental ideas: checks and balances, separation of powers, Bill of Rights and amendments. When finished you will be able to: identify the three branches of American government, describe the function of each branch of government, explain how the "checks and balances" system functions to protect the individual citizen from illegal power hungary politicians, describe how each branch of government is "separate" in its powers to the other branches of government, and explain how the amendments to the Constitution function today.

Word Search - Constitutional System of Government http://www.quia.com/ws/67694.html
Review of basic governmental principles Find the hidden words in the grid. The terms below the grid are clues to help you find the hidden words. Words can appear horizontally, vertically, or diagonally; forwards or backwards. Press Answers to see where all the terms are hidden.

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In addition to their exclusive powers, both the national government and state governments share the power of being able to: collect taxes, build roads, borrow money, establish courts, make and enforce laws, charter banks and corporations, spend money for the general welfare, and take private property for public purposes, with just compensation.

Surf with Uncle Sam
Surf with Uncle Sam

Word Spy
Word Spy

Projects You Can Do

Look at the following headlines. Decide if the power being exercised is legislative, executive, or judicial.

1. Health Minister Allan Rock suggests a national pharmacare policy.
2. Teacher found not guilty of attacking a colleague by reason of insanity.
3. Police arrest teenagers found drinking at bush party.
4. Queen’s Park votes to raise the drinking age to 21.
5. Supreme Court asked to look at the agreement between Quebec and
Newfoundland on hydropower.
6. House of Commons votes to reintroduce capital punishment.
7. Paul Martin proposes to use budget surplus for tax rebate.
8. Air Canada privatized by cabinet decree.

Find three articles from a
recent newspaper or magazine, and cut out one example of each legislative, executive, and judicial power (it can be at any level of government).

Paste the articles on a clean sheet of paper and label clearly which specific power of
government is illustrated in the article.

 

Awards

 

The Dirksen Congressional CenterCopyright 2008