After independence was declared, Americans were faced with creating a new form of government that would embody the ideals for which they had fought. |
Social Studies 4-4.2:
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Essential Question: What is the structure and function of each branch of federal government?
Ø The teacher will closely read the Interactive Essential Text with students. During this time it is important to discuss the essential question, define key vocabulary, code the text (political, geographic, economic, and social) to discuss the content and clarify any misconceptions. The teacher and student will interact with the text. The following tasks are to strengthen, to deepen, and to enhance the indicator content and connect to the key concept question. Video Analysis Sheet Partner T- Chart Create an Ad Sheet 3-2-1 Strategy Chart 4-4 United States Government
Ø Students will read closely the Achieve 3000 article “The Branches of Government”. They will analyze the document using the document analysis sheet. Students will also use whole group discussion to answer Branches of Government text discussion questions. (DOK 1-3) Ø Students will read pages 14-15 in the Lerner eBook US Government through Infographics. Students will then complete the Power Strategy organizer Write About It to show their understanding of the importance of checks and balances. (DOK 1-3) Ø Students will read closely the article “No More Kings”. They will answer No More Kings text discussion questions in small group and/or whole class discussions and/or notebook responses. (DOK 1-3) Alternative OptionStudents can complete the Pick 3 and Compare Power Strategy organizer to compare their group’s thoughts about the most significant parts of the text. (DOK 1-3) Ø Students will read pages 10-27 in the ABDO eBook Branches of Government. Students will choose two of the three branches of government and complete the Branches of Government Venn diagram that compares the two. Teacher has option of additional Triple Venn diagram to compare and contrast all three. (DOK 2-3) Ø Students will read pages 25-29 in the ABDO eBook US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Students will then answer US Constitution text questions in their notebooks. (DOK 1-3) Ø This is a whole class activity. The class will work through the Checks and Balances Simulation. (DOK 1-4) **This link 3 Branches of Government has a few games that relate to the branches of government and checks and balances. These can be used as a fun way to reinforce the content taught in this indicator. Games: Branches of Government Game, The 2 Branches Game, Checks and Balances Game. MrDonn.org Branches of Power iLearn Technology |
It is essential for students to know:
The powers of the government found in the United States Constitution are separated into three branches of government: the legislative, the executive, and the judiciary branches. Each of these three branches has specific powers and are checked and balanced by the other branches to ensure that they are in compliance with the Constitution. The legislative branch is the Congress, which is divided into the House of Representatives and Senate. It is housed at the Capitol building. The principle duty of legislators is writing, debating, and passing bills. The power of Congress is limited, or checked because the President must sign the bills in order for them to become a law. The President may also veto a bill, sending it back to Congress with his objections. The legislature has the power to check the power of the President by overriding his vetoes with a 2/3 vote. The Congress also approves judges whom the President has appointed, and checks the power of the President or judges through impeachment. The President heads the executive branch and resides in the White House. One of his many jobs is to enforce or carry out (execute) the laws. He may also suggest laws to the legislative branch. The President can check the legislature by vetoing any laws with which he does not agree. The President appoints justices to the Supreme Court and the lesser federal courts but Congress must affirm these appointments. The President is also the commander in chief of the United States armed forces. Only Congress, however, has the power to declare war. The duty of the judicial branch is to decide whether or not the laws passed by Congress or the states are in conformance with the Constitution and are being carried out fairly. The judicial branch includes a system of courts including the federal district courts, courts of the appeals and the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is composed of nine judges who serve for life as long as they are not impeached. Impeachment is a check on the power of the courts (or of any government branch) through which judges (or any governmental office holder) can be removed from office by the Congress. The Supreme Courts checks the legislative branch by making sure that the laws that are passed are in agreement with the Constitution. Likewise, the judical branch can check the power of the executive branch by ruling its actions unconstitutional. The Supreme Court has its own Supreme Court building in Washington D.C. |