Unit 3: Government

Standards:

1.     The student will explain the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate, with emphasis on terms of office, powers, organization, leadership, and representation of each house.

2.     The students will analyze the various roles played by the President of the United States; including Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Chief Executive, Chief Agenda Setter, Representative of the Nation, Chief of State, Foreign Policy Leader, and Party leader – including qualifications for seeking those offices.

3.     The student will explain the functions of the departments and agencies of the federal bureaucracy.

4.     The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and powers of state and local government described in the Kansas Constitution.

Essential Questions:

1.     How do laws protect individual rights?

2.     How can government ensure citizens are treated fairly?

3.     Why and how do people make economic choices?

4.     How do economic systems influence societies?

Content (Major Concepts, Figures, and Events)

Suggested Activities

Resources

Assessment Strategies

·       State Government

o   Legislative

o   Judicial

o   Executive

·       Local Government

o   County

o   Towns, Townships, and Villages

·       Education and Social Issues

·       Types of Law

o   Civil

o   Criminal

·       Basic Economics

·       Create Venn Diagram Comparing and Contrasting the division of powers

·       Debate about Immigration Laws

·       Town Budget Meeting Simulation

·       Balance the National Budget Simulation

·       Discussion of various trials that impacted student lives

·       Mock Trial

·       Primary Resources

·       Newspaper Articles

·       Current Events Journals

·       News 360

·       Civics Textbook (Chapter 11-16)

·       Visual Displays about State Government and State Constitution

·       Document Based Question

·       SO APPSTONE

·       Short Essay’s