American Government is designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of the single-semester American government course. This title includes innovative features designed to enhance student learning, including Insider Perspective features and a Get Connected Module that shows students how they can get engaged in the political process. The book provides an important opportunity for students to learn the core concepts of American government and understand how those concepts apply to their lives and the world around them. American Government includes updated information on the 2016 presidential election.Senior Contributing AuthorsGlen Krutz (Content Lead), University of OklahomaSylvie Waskiewicz, PhD (Lead Editor)

Learn about the role of the US Congress, how it works, its history, and the principles behind its creation and operation. Wonderful set of resources including FAQs, short articles and video clips, "interactive learning modules" (i.e., a video presentation where you can follow a member of congress through the day or try a federal budget allocation activity), commentaries, teacher professional development materials, and more. The entire site, including video materials, is also available in Spanish.

This unit explores the timeless qualities of The U.S. Constitution, the opportunities to amend it, and how it is a pillar of the American identity, through these activities, videos, and outside resources.

In this activity, students will analyze documents that span the course of American history to see examples of 'checks and balances' between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches in action. Students will then match the documents they have examined with an appropriate description of the branches of government involved in the action.

When do the actions of one branch of the federal government unconstitutionally intrude upon the powers of another branch? This article surveys the history of this question in historic Supreme Court cases.

A clickable index of the 85 Federalist Papers. The text of each letter (paper) sent to New York newspapers in 1787 and 1788 is easily accessed.

The original text of The Virginia Plan presented at the Constitutional Convention. Discusses federal versus consolidated government.

In this film clip 3 [2:07] A Fragile Trust discusses the importance of Trust in journalism and the changes made after the Jayson Blair scandal. After viewing this clip, students will consider the trust that journalists have with their readers, interview subjects, and the news organizations that employ them. They will also examine the checks and balances that organizations must implement in order to prevent plagiarism by journalists.

Interactive teaching unit for Grades 5-8 that helps to explain the three branches of government and the the balance of power. Topics covered include balance of government, how a bill becomes a law, the amendment process, the Legislative Branch, the Judicial Branch, the Executive Branch, the President, and the Cabinet. Includes activities, worksheets, puzzles, and games.

This slide and the six that follow it (use the advance button near the bottom of the screen) offer an explanation of each of the three branches of government and the duties they perform, including discussion of the tensions arising from "shared" powers. Written as a unit for middle school, it provides a straightforward view that is useful for upper grades as well. Includes questions for students as they progress through the material.

The President of the United States has extraordinary power over the shaping of federal laws. He or she can veto any law passed by Congress.

U.S. History is designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of most introductory courses. The text provides a balanced approach to U.S. history, considering the people, events, and ideas that have shaped the United States from both the top down (politics, economics, diplomacy) and bottom up (eyewitness accounts, lived experience). U.S. History covers key forces that form the American experience, with particular attention to issues of race, class, and gender.Senior Contributing AuthorsP. Scott Corbett, Ventura CollegeVolker Janssen, California State University, FullertonJohn M. Lund, Keene State CollegeTodd Pfannestiel, Clarion UniversityPaul Vickery, Oral Roberts UniversitySylvie Waskiewicz

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Explain the development of state constitutions
Describe the features of the Articles of Confederation
Analyze the causes and consequences of Shays’ Rebellion

This site from the United States Senate provides information about the evolution of the Senate as the Constitution was being written by the Constitutional Congress.