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Presentation slide titled "Unit 3: Introduction The Legislative Branch" with a background image of a governmental building.
Gavel on a podium with text about constitutional principles and representative government backgrounded by legal books.
Graphic featuring the title "Unit 3: Representation" in a course on Government and Politics.
Illustration of a historic gerrymandered map showing regions and towns in Massachusetts.

Government & Politics Unit 3 – Activities + Essays

25 minutes

46 Items

Presentation slide titled "Unit 3: Introduction The Legislative Branch" with a background image of a governmental building.
Introduction to the Legislative Branch | Government & Politics: Civics for the American Experiment

Video

5 Min

Gavel on a podium with text about constitutional principles and representative government backgrounded by legal books.
Constitutional Principles: Representative Government

Video

5 Min

Graphic featuring the title "Unit 3: Representation" in a course on Government and Politics.
Representation | Government & Politics: Civics for the American Experiment

Video

5 Min

Illustration of a historic gerrymandered map showing regions and towns in Massachusetts.
Gerrymandering Primary Sources

Activity

Graphic organizer for a lesson on gerrymandering and Supreme Court cases, featuring tables for case summaries and decisions.
Graphic Organizer: Gerrymandering, Representation, and Consent of the Governed

Activity

Graphic organizer comparing Montana's 2nd Congressional District and New York's 14th Congressional District.
Graphic Organizer: The Challenges of Representation

Activity

Table comparing Delegate and Trustee Models of Representation with definitions and personal reflections.
Delegate or Trustee Student Handout

Activity

Text content from a lesson on the U.S. Constitution and Baron de Montesquieu's "The Spirit of Laws."
Excerpts from Baron de Montesquieu’s The Spirit of Laws (1748)

Activity

United, holding hands
Federalist No. 10

Primary Source

3171 Words

Text about the powers of Congress, emphasizing enumerated and implied powers in governance.
Congress: Enumerated and Implied Powers

Essay

798 Words

Text from a document outlining the structure and powers of the U.S. Congress and the House of Representatives.
Article 1, U.S. Constitution

Activity

Document titled "We the People," featuring the preamble and Article I of the United States Constitution.
Congress’ Enumerated and Implied Powers

Activity

Graphic organizer depicting concentric circles labeled "Me," "Local," "State," and "National" to show levels of representation.
Representation Graphic Organizer

Activity

Document titled "Background Essay—Expansion of Congressional Power," featuring directions and introductory text.
Handout A: Background Essay – The Commerce Clause and the Expanding Powers of Congress

Activity

A document titled "Timeline of Changing Commerce Powers of Congress" with structured sections for cases and their effects.
Handout B: Timeline of Changing Commerce Powers of Congress

Activity

Text document featuring the Constitution of the United States, Article I, Section 8.
Handout C: Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution

Activity

Text excerpts from the court case U.S. v. Darby Lumber (1941) discussing congressional power over interstate commerce.
Handout D: Excerpts from U.S. v. Darby Lumber (1941)

Activity

Text document excerpt discussing the U.S. Supreme Court case U.S. v. Lopez (1995) and Chief Justice William Rehnquist's opinion.
Handout E: Excerpts from U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

Activity

Text document titled "Interpreting Commerce Law" with directions and a scenario regarding Little League Baseball.
Handout F: Interpreting Commerce Laws

Activity

Document detailing the Homestead Act of 1862, outlining its provisions and legislative background.
Handout G: Homestead Act of 1862

Activity

Handout titled "Affordable Care Act of 2010" with a link to the full text of the law.
Handout H: Affordable Care Act of 2010

Activity

Document titled "Comparing Laws" with directions and critical thinking questions about the Homestead Act and Affordable Care Act.
Handout I: Comparing Laws

Activity

Text document discussing Articles of Confederation and legislative powers with directions for critical thinking questions.
Handout B: Articles of Confederation: Legislative Powers

Activity

Document titled "Legislative Powers of Congress in the U.S. Constitution," detailing Articles I, Sections 1 and 8.
Handout C: Legislative Powers of Congress

Activity

Venn diagram comparing the powers of the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution with labeled sections.
Handout D: The Powers of the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution Venn Diagram

Activity

Handout detailing a role-play activity for the Constitutional Convention, including participant directions and speaker notes.
Handout E: Constitutional Convention Role-Play

Activity

Document titled "Federalists and Anti-Federalists Debate Congressional Powers" with two excerpts comparing perspectives.
Handout F: Federalists and Anti-Federalists Debate Congressional Powers

Activity

Illustration for Unit 3 on the House of Representatives from Bill of Rights Institute's Government and Politics course.
The House of Representatives | Government & Politics: Civics for the American Experiment

Video

4 Min

Educational graphic featuring the title "Unit 3: The Senate" over a background of a government building.
The Senate | Government & Politics: Civics for the American Experiment

Video

3 Min

Text discussing the composition and representation in the House of Representatives.
Federalist 55

Activity

Text discussing qualifications for senators and representatives, including age and citizenship requirements.
Federalist 62

Activity

Resume of James Madison, Virginia politician, detailing contact information, skills, and work experience.
Resume Example

Activity

Form template for a resume, including sections for contact information, skills, experience, and additional relevant information.
Resume Template

Activity

Text excerpt discussing the challenges of consensus-building in Congress, focusing on differing viewpoints.
Building Consensus in Congress

Essay

887 Words

Image of a Congress building with text: "Unit 3: The Rules and Procedures of Congress" and a logo for Bill of Rights Institute.
Rules and Procedures of Congress | Government & Politics: Civics for the American Experiment

Video

3 Min

Black and white image of the U.S. Capitol dome with colorful arrows pointing towards it.
Congressional Consensus Building

Activity

Graphic organizer template for consensus building case studies on Civil Rights Act and Immigration Reform.
Graphic Organizer Consensus Building Case Studies

Activity

The U.S. Capitol building with a blue checkmark overlayed in front.
The Process of Legislating

Activity

Organizational chart for a congressional office, outlining roles and reporting structure.
Organization Chart for a Congressional Office

Activity

A wide view of the House Judiciary Committee during Nixon's impeachment hearings on May 9, 1974, with cameras and audience.
Case Studies: Checks and Balances

Activity

A worksheet titled "The Power to Declare War" with sections for summarizing events and checking government balances.
Graphic Organizer Checks and Balances Case Studies

Activity

Table displaying text and annotations on the philosophical influences of the Founders.
Primary Sources: John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu

Activity

Presidents and the Constitution Handout A Woodrow Wilson the Great War and the Fourteen Points
Handout A: Woodrow Wilson, the Great War, and the Fourteen Points

Activity

Presidents and the Constitution Handout B Setting the Scene (Treaty of Versailles)
Handout B: Setting the Scene (Treaty of Versailles)

Activity

Presidents and the Constitution Handout C Political Cartoon Analysis (Treaty of Versailles)
Handout C: Political Cartoon Analysis (Treaty of Versailles)

Activity

Presidents and the Constitution Handout D Three Views on America's Role
Handout D: Three Views on America’s Role

Activity