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)

Students will visualize how the Constitution organized our 3 branches of government and the role each plays in our government. This infographic breaks down the powers of each branch and shows how they perform checks on the other branches. [PDF]

Ben's Guide is a fun way to present US laws to students grades K-12. This site presents a brief history of the branches of Government. Links to related sites are available.

Introduction to a learning adventure on the Constitution and branches of government. Students click on their age group icon to find information on which part of the Constitution spells out the powers of legislative, executive and judicial branches of government and what those powers are.

In this activity, students will analyze documents that illustrate the relationship between the legislative, executive and judicial branches. Using the scale in Weighing the Evidence, students will decide whether the United States government more appropriately fits the concept of 'separation of powers' or 'shared powers.'

The University of Chicago provides thousands of primary source documents concerning the diverse contents of the Constitution. Documents underlying the proposed Constitution, as well as documents of the time debating the proposed Constitution are available and sorted by the major themes of the Constitution. Links to each part of the text of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are also available.

The complete, original text of the Massachusetts State Constitution as adopted in March, 1780.

The complete original text of the revolutionary state constitution of Virginia adopted in June 1776.

Explore the history and importance of the separation of powers in this episode from Founding Principles: American Governance in Action. Through a study of foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, and The Federalist Papers, students learn how the separation of powers became a key principle in the shaping of American government and politics. [13:00]

Presenters Jack Rakove and Sandra Day O'Connor discuss the creation of the judicial system in this video. The Founding Fathers collaborated at the Constitutional Convention to ensure that the rights of citizens would be protected by the new government. O'Connor also stresses the importance of understanding the foundation of our Constitution. [1:10:38]

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.

A full-length essay on the formation of new state constitutions by the 13 newly independent states.

Students learn how the three branches of the United States government work together and the powers that the Constitution assigns to each branch-legislative, executive, and judicial.

Video accompanied by questions for students that looks at how the concept of separation of powers embedded in the Constitution is applied in the United States government. [3:50]

Overviews of the major elements of U.S. government, compiled and published by the White House: three branches of the federal government (executive, legislative, judicial), the Constitution, federal agencies and commissions, elections and voting, and state and local governments.