Course Overview
Content Standards
12.4 Students analyze the unique roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government as established by the U.S. Constitution.
Common Core Literacy Standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary that makes clear the relationships among the key details and ideas. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.5 Analyze in detail how a complex primary source is structured, including how key sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text contribute to the whole. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.9 Integrate information from diverse sources, both primary and secondary, into a coherent understanding of an idea or event, noting discrepancies among sources. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.8 Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the specific task, purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.9 Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. |
Big Ideas
1. The American government is broken up into three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) 2. Each branch of government has certain checks (powers) over the other two branches 3. This provides for a system of checks and balances, which prevents any singular branch from containing too much power 4. Each branch has certain, individual responsibilities 5. These three branches are meant to cooperate in unison with one another to provide for a democratic society Essential Historical Questions
1. What are the primary roles and responsibilities of each individual branch of American government? 2. What powers does each branch have over the other (checks)? 3. Where are the provisions for these branches of government provided for in the US Constitution? 4. What are the requirements for eligibility concerning election to offices within each branch? Unit Goals
1. Students understand the three branches of American government and how they provide for a democratic society 2. Students understand the amendment process 3. Students understand the individual roles and responsibilities of each branch of government (legislative, executive and judicial) 4. Students explore the history of the US government and how it has developed since the founding of the nation 5. Students analyze the US Constitution and the provisions that provide for this democratic government Unit Assessments
1. Journal Entry: If you could be in charge of any of the three branches of US government, which one would you choose to be in charge of and why? 2. Group Presentation: Present on one of the three branches of government 3. Unit Test: Containing multiple choice and short answer questions 4. Concept Map: Visually explain the relationships between the three branches of government |