ESTABLISHED GOALS
C3 Framework
D2.Civ.4.9-12 - Explain how the U.S. Constitution establishes a system of government that has powers, responsibilities, and limits that have changed over time and that are still contested.
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D2.Civ.8.9-12 - Evaluate social and political systems in different contexts, times, and places, that promote civic virtues and enact democratic principles
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D2.Civ.14.9-12 - Analyze historical, contemporary, and emerging means of changing societies, promoting the common good, and protecting rights.
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ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS
In the United States, principles and structures are employed to form a democratic system that serves the purposes of government and protects the rights and authority of citizens.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- How do the principles and structures of the United States government assist and/or impede meeting the purposes of government while protecting the rights and authority of citizens?
- Why do governments form?
- Where do principles of democratic government originate?
- How does government structure affect how power is organized?
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How does government structure affect how power is organized?
OBJECTIVES
COMPARE AND DESCRIBE THE ADVANTAGES OF DIRECT, REPRESENTATIVE, PRESIDENTIAL, AND PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACIES.
Why Government
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
WHY GOVERNMENT: VALUES - TEACHER-CREATED PLAN PLACEMAT SMALL-GROUP ACTIVITY
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LEARNING PLAN
“FIRST DAY,” LESSON WHERE STUDENTS ENGAGE IN A DISCUSSION OF SOCIETAL VALUES AND HOW/ WHO GETS TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS THROUGH GUIDED PRACTICE
ASSESSMENT LIMITS: CHARACTERISTICS OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS INCLUDING: DEMOCRATIC (PARLIAMENTARY, PRESIDENTIAL) AND AUTHORITARIAN (ABSOLUTE MONARCHY, OLIGARCHY, DICTATORSHIP, AND TOTALITARIAN). Vertical Divider
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Who Rules
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
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LEARNING PLAN
STUDENTS WILL LEARN ABOUT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TYPES OF GOVERNMENT THROUGH COMPLETING A CHART AND THEN APPLY THIS KNOWLEDGE TO CURRENT AND HISTORIC GOVERNMENTS TO IDENTIFY TYPE(S) OF GOVERNMENT DESCRIBED.
ASSESSMENT LIMITS: CHARACTERISTICS OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS INCLUDING: DEMOCRATIC (PARLIAMENTARY, PRESIDENTIAL) AND AUTHORITARIAN (ABSOLUTE MONARCHY, OLIGARCHY, DICTATORSHIP, AND TOTALITARIAN). Vertical Divider
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EVALUATE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF DEMOCRATIC AND AUTHORITARIAN POLITICAL SYSTEMS.
Flowchart and Jigsaw Activity
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
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LEARNING PLAN
STUDENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED TO TYPES OF GOVERNMENT AND ASKED TO IDENTIFY TYPES USING HEADLINES AND GALLERY WALK. (SOMEWHAT BASIC). IT DOES NOT FULLY COVER PARLIAMENTARY AND PRESIDENTIAL.
*THIS LESSON WILL OVERLAP WITH THE ICIVICS WHO RULES AND COULD BE USED AS AN ALTERNATIVE OR REMEDIATION. ASSESSMENT LIMITS: CHARACTERISTICS OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS INCLUDING: DEMOCRATIC (PARLIAMENTARY, PRESIDENTIAL) AND AUTHORITARIAN (ABSOLUTE MONARCHY, OLIGARCHY, DICTATORSHIP, AND TOTALITARIAN). Vertical Divider
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COMPARE AUTHORITARIAN AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS ON DISTRIBUTION OF POWER, EFFICIENCY OF DECISION MAKING, MAINTAINING PUBLIC ORDER, PROTECTING INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, AND THE ABILITY TO ADDRESS A CRISIS.
Musical Government
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
MUSICAL GOVERNMENT LP - TEACHER CREATED SIMULATION, WHICH REVIEWS THE TYPES OF GOVERNMENT, THEN EVALUATES ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES.
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LEARNING PLAN
STUDENTS WILL BRAINSTORM AND EVALUATE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF GOVERNMENTS AFTER PARTICIPATING IN “MUSICAL GOVERNMENTS” SIMULATION. STUDENTS WILL SELECT SONGS FOR THE CLASS USING DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT’S DECISION MAKING (MILITARY FORCE, REFERENDUM, INHERITANCE, ETC.). BEST TO USE AS REVIEW OF TYPES AND TO ELABORATE ON ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES. ASSESSMENT LIMITS:
COMPARE TYPES OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS ON: DISTRIBUTION OF POWER, EFFICIENCY OF DECISION MAKING, MAINTAINING Vertical Divider
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Essential Question: Where do the principles of democratic government originate?
OBJECTIVES
TRACE THE EVOLUTION OF LIMITED GOVERNMENT AND OTHER PRINCIPLES FROM ENGLISH COMMON LAW THROUGH THE ENLIGHTENMENT PHILOSOPHERS TO THE FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT.
Enlightenment Philosophers
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
THE ENLIGHTENMENT PHILOSOPHERS OVERALL- ICIVICS LESSON
THE ENLIGHTENMENT PHILOSOPHERS OVERALL-PDF LINK
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LEARNING PLAN
This lesson provides a brief explanation of the Enlightenment philosophers and their influence on consent of the governed, natural rights, and the social contract. Students are then to also write about how difficult life would be without natural rights.
Assessment Limits: Individual rights, consent of the governed Vertical Divider
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EXPLAIN REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY, POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY, AND CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED, AND DEMONSTRATE HOW CONCEPTS HAVE ENSURED POWER CITIZENs' OVER TIME.
Principles of the Constitution
Instagram Lesson
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
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LEARNING PLAN
STUDENTS WILL CREATE INSTAGRAM POSTS ABOUT THE VARIOUS PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT IN A GALLERY WALK ACTIVITY WHERE THEY NEED TO COMMENT AND HASHTAG ON THE VARIOUS CONCEPTS TO DISPLAY UNDERSTANDING HOW THE CONCEPTS APPLY TO EVERYDAY LIFE. THERE IS A READING ABOUT THE VARIOUS PRINCIPLES WITHIN THE FOLDER AS WELL AS A POWERPOINT. Assessment Limits: Popular Sovereignty, Limited Government, Checks and Balances, Federalism, Rule of Law, Consent of the Governed Vertical Divider
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Icivics Lesson
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
CONSTITUTION PRINCIPLES -ICIVICS LESSON
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LEARNING PLAN
THIS LESSON ADDRESSES THE PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT WITHIN THE CONSTITUTION AND ALLOWS STUDENTS TO IDENTIFY AND EXPLAIN A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CONCEPTS THROUGH A READING AND DIAGRAMMING ACTIVITY. THE READING AND QUESTION PORTION OF THE LESSON IS CRITICAL TO STUDENT UNDERSTANDING FOR THE DIAGRAMMING ACTIVITY.
ASSESSMENT LIMITS: POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY, LIMITED GOVERNMENT, CHECKS AND BALANCES, FEDERALISM, RULE OF LAW, CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED Vertical Divider
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DESCRIBE HOW THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ARTICULATES THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE GOVERNMENT FOUNDED ON BASIC PRINCIPLES. ANALYZING HOW THE CONSTITUTION REFLECTS THE BASIC PRINCIPLES AND ELIMINATED THE WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION.
Hey King get off Our Backs
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
HEY KING GET OFF OUR BACKS - ICIVICS LESSON
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LEARNING PLAN
PARTS OF THIS LESSON ARE APPLICABLE AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO STUDENTS INCLUDING THE DIVISION OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, THE GRIEVANCES, ETC. HOWEVER, THE APPLICATION OF PHILOSOPHY AND FOUNDING PRINCIPLES WILL HAVE TO BE DRAWN OUT THROUGH TEACHER INTERVENTION AND CLASS DISCUSSION.
ASSESSMENT LIMITS: DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Vertical Divider
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A Just Right Government
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
A JUST RIGHT GOVERNMENT - ICIVICS LESSON
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LEARNING PLAN
THIS LESSON ADDRESSES THE WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION AND THE CHANGES THAT MADE THE CONSTITUTION MORE EFFECTIVE. TEACHERS MAY CHOOSE TO SKIP THE CROSSWORD PUZZLE AND INCREASE RIGOR BY APPLYING THESE CHANGES TO HISTORIC AND CURRENT REAL WORLD EXAMPLES.
ASSESSMENT LIMITS: ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION ASSESSMENT IDEA - THE BREAK UP LETTER - STUDENTS WRITE A BREAKUP LETTER TO DEMONSTRATE UNDERSTANDING OF THE PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT IN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. ASSESSMENT LIMITS: DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Vertical Divider
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Declaration of Independence
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE GUIDED PRACTICE - TEACHER CREATED ACTIVITY
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LEARNING PLAN
THIS CAN BE A SINGLE DAY OR MULTIPLE DAY LESSON (DEPENDING ON LEVEL/ LENGTH OF PERIOD, ETC.) HAVE STUDENTS WORK WITH THE DECLARATION (PRIMARY SOURCE ANNOTATION) BEFORE GIVING THIS ANALYSIS GUIDE. THE GUIDE ITSELF EMPHASIZES CITING SPECIFIC EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT GIVEN ANSWERS.
ASSESSMENT LIMITS: HISTORIC DOCUMENTS - DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Vertical Divider
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ANALYZE HOW THE PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT ARE APPLIED TO REAL WORLD SITUATIONS.
Anatomy of A Constitution
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
Insructional Resources |
LEARNING PLAN
THIS LESSON INCLUDES INFORMATION ON THE AMENDMENT PROCESS AND INCLUDES A GREAT GRAPHIC AND INTRODUCES THE QUESTION WHY THERE HAVE BEEN SO FEW AMENDMENTS OVER SO LONG A TIME PERIOD.
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ESSENTIAL QUESTION: HOW DOES GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AFFECT HOW POWER IS ORGANIZED?
objectives
Describe how the Constitution structures the government and provides for separation of powers, checks and balances, and judicial review, in such a way as to limit governmental power in favor of the people.
Did the constitution Establish a Just government
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
Instructional ResourcesDid the Constitution establish a Just Government? - C3 Teachers
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LEARNING PLAN
N PARTICULAR THE FIRST TWO SUPPORTING QUESTIONS ADDRESS THIS STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.
ASSESSMENT LIMITS: HISTORIC DOCUMENTS- ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION AND CONSTITUTION. Vertical Divider
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Explain how delegated, reserved, concurrent, and denied powers of government are divided in federalism and shared between national and state levels.
Federalism
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
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LEARNING PLAN
THIS LESSON CONTAINS THE TRADITIONAL VENN DIAGRAM WITH MANIPULATIVES MAKING IT VALUABLE FOR STRUGGLING LEARNERS, HOWEVER TOO MUCH EMPHASIS IS PUT ON FEDERAL, CONFEDERAL, AND UNITARY GOVERNMENTS.
ASSESSMENT LIMITS: PRINCIPLES - FEDERALISM, UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. Vertical Divider
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Describe the formal process for amending the constitution and why this process is necessary
Amending the Constitution
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
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LEARNING PLAN
The iCivics lesson identifies the ways that the constitutional government ofthe United States has changed over time; analyzes instances of constitutional change; applies constitutional principles to instances of government actions and describes the various ways constitutional principles can change: amend, interpret, supplement, implement. Overlaps with Anatomy of the Constitution lesson from earlier.
Assessment Limits: Historic Documents - United States Constitution Vertical Divider
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Essential Question: How do the principles of government influence the structure of government to protect the rights of individuals?
OBJECTIVES
Evaluate the balance between majority rule and the protection of individual rights.
MAJORITY RULE VS. INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
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LEARNING PLAN
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Identify the rights in the Bill of Rights and how they protect individuals and limit the power of government.
YOU'VE GOT RIGHTS
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
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LEARNING PLAN
This iCivics lesson provides an overview of the rights that are contained in the Bill of Rights as well as additional amendments (13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 26th) that are deemed significant. It builds familiarity with the documents and rights contained in it. The lesson asks the students to classify the intent of each amendment. This would be best used as an introductory lesson and would develop/activate the students’ prior knowledge
Assessment Limits: Bill of Rights, individual rights & responsibilities Vertical Divider
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Do I Have a Right?
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
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LEARNING PLAN
THIS LESSON IS AN EXTENSION OF YOU’VE GOT RIGHTS. IT ASKS STUDENTS TO APPLY WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THE BILL OF RIGHTS TO SCENARIOS AS AN ATTORNEY. (IT WORKS LIKE A GAME AS THE STUDENTS DETERMINE IF A CLIENT HAS A CASE AND SHOULD BE SEEN BY AN ATTORNEY.) THERE ARE EXTENSION RESOURCES INCLUDING A POWERPOINT AND HAND-OUTS INCLUDED WITH THE LESSON
ASSESSMENT LIMITS: INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Vertical Divider
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An Anthem, A Flag, and Individual Liberties
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
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LEARNING PLAN
This Bill of Rights lesson plan asks students to evaluate how “absolute” our rights are when it pertains to venerable symbols of patriotism. It ties to Colin Kaepernick and a NC teacher was suspended for stepping on the American flag. It would help to teach the differences between private and public domains as it pertains to employment and the extent to which free speech is protected. Adding the First Amendment or statements about American symbols could possibly strengthen the student analysis. The suggested debriefing activities could be adapted into written responses.
Assessment limits: individual rights and responsibilities Vertical Divider
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Analyze the purpose of limited government and its impact on the structure, function, and processes of government.
Limited Government
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
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LEARNING PLAN
This iCivics lesson identifies how the constitution, rule of law, separation of powers, minority rights, and consent of the governed promotes limited government. To extend the lesson, the students could identify examples of limited government in the Constitution and/or current events as a means for analyzing how the principles are incorporated into the historic documents and how those principles have been applied. The lesson needs to be extended with an example of how limited government may interfere/assist how government meets its goals. An article that addresses how limiting government may impede its ability to work - Gridlock in Washington. This type of article could be used for a text dependent student response or close reading. Asking the students to find another example of how limited government really works is also a consideration.
Assessment limits: limited government, rule of law, consent of governed, separation of powers Hint: The principle, limited government, should be revisited throughout the course. For instance, when teaching checks and balances or eminent domain, ask students how these features of government promote or hinder a limited government. Vertical Divider
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Analyze how principles are incorporated into the historic documents of American government and how those principles have been applied.
Principles of GOvernment in Primary sources
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
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LEARNING PLAN
Students will review the definitions of each principle and then analyze quotes and how the principles apply to those quotes.
Assessment limits: Federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, judicial review, representative democracy, limited government, rule of law, consent of the governed, majority rule, popular sovereignty Vertical Divider
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Analyze how the principles of government are applied to real world situations.
The Principles of Government Today
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
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LEARNING PLAN
This is a CNN article identifying ways Obama connected principles of government with his agenda in his second term. Students could use this analysis as a jumping off point to analyze other political speeches, write speech of their own based on current events, etc.
Assessment limits: Principles of Government Vertical Divider
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Project That Targets Multiple Indicators
Project
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Indicators/Objectives Covered
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Learning Plan
By working through this Problem Based Learning project, students analyze a recent/current situation in the small country of Burundi. They are asked to evaluate a situation where a democracy is devolving into an autocratic government and must make recommendations to the UN on how best to support Burundi’s transition back to democracy.
Portions of this project have been developed from a variety of outside sources including, iCivics and We the People. There exists full instructions for teachers based on 47 minute classes and a student handbook for working through the project is included at the end of the resources. Assessment Limits - Representative democracy, popular sovereignty, consent of the governed, rule of law, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, individual rights and responsibilities, |