The Constitution divides power equally among three branches of government (executive, judicial and legislative) with a system of checks and balances to prevent one branch from gaining too much power. Congress writes the laws, the president enforces them, and the courts interpret and apply them to settle disputes. Each branch has some authority over the others to balance the power. For example, the president nominates federal judges, but the Senate must approve them. The following videos show the different roles each branch is assigned and how they interact.

How a bill becomes a law (19 min)

The Making of a Law (20 min)

With these short videos, learn from the federal judges, the importance and difference between these two fundamental mechanisms of our government.

Separation of Powers

Checks and Balances

Video Discussion on Presidential Signing Statements (host Gwen Ifill, senior correspondent, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer)

Separation of Powers (10 min)

Selective Non-enforcement (12 min)

Unitary Power of the Executive (10 min)

Intent (10 min)

Web Interactive

Interactive diagram of the court system: The federal court system is a complex and fascinating aspect of the government, with this interactive courts map, students can hear from the judges themselves about the different courts they preside over.

 Interactive Sixth Amendment: The Sixth Amendment addresses the rights of criminal defendants to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, the ability to confront adverse witnesses, and to the aid of counsel. Hosted by Judge Cynthia M. Rufe of the United States District Court of Eastern Pennsylvania, this interactive Sixth Amendment guide delves deep into the subject, explaining in great detail the various components of the Sixth Amendment.

Print

Student Voices Constitution Day Speak Outs: How does the First Amendment apply to students in school? Do local gun laws infringe on the Second Amendment? Student Voices’ Speak Outs offer detailed information in easy to read articles about such Constitutional matters, after which students can post their opinions on the matter on an online, moderated forum.

Lesson Plans

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. once used the metaphor of a “magic mirror” to describe the law because it reflects the assumptions, attitudes, and priorities of each generation. In the mirror of the law, he said, “. . . we see reflected, not only our own lives, but the lives of all men that have been.”

With these lesson plans, students can reflect on not only the law, but about how the law is analyzed and interpreted by the Supreme Court with these funs and easy to complete lessons.

Separation of Powers and the Judiciary

Reflections of America in Supreme Court Cases

Students and the Supreme Court: A Lexicon of Laws

Independent Judiciary