Unit Summary
Grade:
12
Content Standards:
12.4 Students analyze the unique roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government as established by the U.S. Constitution.
1. Discuss Article I of the Constitution as it relates to the legislative branch, including eligibility for office and lengths of terms of representatives and senators; election to office; the roles of the House and Senate in impeachment proceedings; the role of the vice president; the enumerated legislative powers; and the process by which a bill becomes a law.
2. Explain the process through which the Constitution can be amended.
3. Identify their current representatives in the legislative branch of the national government.
4. Discuss Article II of the Constitution as it relates to the executive branch, including eligibility for office and length of term, election to and removal from office, the oath of office, and the enumerated executive powers.
5. Discuss Article III of the Constitution as it relates to judicial power, including the length of terms of judges and the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
6. Explain the processes of selection and confirmation of Supreme Court justices.
Common Core Standards:
CCSS_H/SS_R Grade 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_H/SS_R Grade 11-12
3. Evaluate various explanations for actions or events and determine which explanation best accords with textual evidence, acknowledging where the text leaves matters uncertain.
CCSS_H/SS_W Grade 11-12
4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS_H/SS_W Grade 11-12
6. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.
Essential Historical Questions & Big Ideas:
-The framers of the Constitution created a separation of powers in our government and a legislative branch that comprises of two houses.
-How is congress purposefully divided to perform the necessary functions of the legislative branch?
-Congress has a large scope of powers that are both expressed and implied.
-How do laws get created and enforced in the USA?
-How do the executive, judicial, and legislative branches interact and coexist in United States government?
Unit Assessments:
End of unit, individual, multiple -choice exam with one restricted-response, short-answer question to explain Article 1 of the Constitution.
Presentation on one branch of government created with a group (executive, legislative, judicial), including checks and balances associated with that branch. To be graded using a rubric.
Individual letter to a current representative in legislative government concerning a current issue/proposed bill. The letter will be graded using a rubric. Students should address the issue, provide support, and write persuasively.
12
Content Standards:
12.4 Students analyze the unique roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government as established by the U.S. Constitution.
1. Discuss Article I of the Constitution as it relates to the legislative branch, including eligibility for office and lengths of terms of representatives and senators; election to office; the roles of the House and Senate in impeachment proceedings; the role of the vice president; the enumerated legislative powers; and the process by which a bill becomes a law.
2. Explain the process through which the Constitution can be amended.
3. Identify their current representatives in the legislative branch of the national government.
4. Discuss Article II of the Constitution as it relates to the executive branch, including eligibility for office and length of term, election to and removal from office, the oath of office, and the enumerated executive powers.
5. Discuss Article III of the Constitution as it relates to judicial power, including the length of terms of judges and the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
6. Explain the processes of selection and confirmation of Supreme Court justices.
Common Core Standards:
CCSS_H/SS_R Grade 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_H/SS_R Grade 11-12
3. Evaluate various explanations for actions or events and determine which explanation best accords with textual evidence, acknowledging where the text leaves matters uncertain.
CCSS_H/SS_W Grade 11-12
4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS_H/SS_W Grade 11-12
6. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.
Essential Historical Questions & Big Ideas:
-The framers of the Constitution created a separation of powers in our government and a legislative branch that comprises of two houses.
-How is congress purposefully divided to perform the necessary functions of the legislative branch?
-Congress has a large scope of powers that are both expressed and implied.
-How do laws get created and enforced in the USA?
-How do the executive, judicial, and legislative branches interact and coexist in United States government?
Unit Assessments:
End of unit, individual, multiple -choice exam with one restricted-response, short-answer question to explain Article 1 of the Constitution.
Presentation on one branch of government created with a group (executive, legislative, judicial), including checks and balances associated with that branch. To be graded using a rubric.
Individual letter to a current representative in legislative government concerning a current issue/proposed bill. The letter will be graded using a rubric. Students should address the issue, provide support, and write persuasively.