SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM BASED ON MSDE STANDARDS AND GOALS National, State, and Local 3UNIT THREE Functions and Powers EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, AND JUDICIAL Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs Department of Curriculum and Instruction 850 Hungerford Drive Rockville, Maryland 20850 www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/socialstd 2003 MCPS
Introduction Welcome to the full instructional guide for Unit Three, NSL A. Included are the required MSDE Content Standards and Assessment Limits for the HSA. MCPS has organized the standards and limits into a series of Lesson Sequences and suggested sessions for instruction. The skill focus for this unit is the development of student writing in an untimed setting. MCPS has also broken down the standards into Content Focus Statements. These should aid in writing mastery objectives for individual classes. Also included is a pre-assessment, end of units assessment, formative assessments, and an assessment bank - all based on the MSDE standards and limits for this unit. However, before jumping into the minutia, start with the big picture. Begin by reading the Enduring Understanding and Essential Questions below. Those two items encapsulate the whole idea or WHY of the unit. Why, as in Why study this? As you read through the unit you will notice a sequential build up to the ideas expressed in the Enduring Understanding. Next review the WHAT (next page); this is the MSDE Content Standards for this unit. These standards represent what MSDE wants students to be able to know and do. The MSDE standards that are specific to each lesson are restated at the beginning of each session. The rest of the outline and what you do in the classroom is the HOW. Why? Enduring Understanding Power is control, authority, or influence over others. In the U.S. federal system of government, power is exercised by the people through elected representatives at the national, state, and local levels. At each level of government, power is divided between legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This separation of power serves to prevent tyranny and abuse of power, and to preserve liberty. In addition, a system of checks and balances gives each branch of government some degree of oversight and control over the actions of the others. The federal system, separation of powers, and checks and balances provide multiple opportunities for citizens to obtain government services, as well as influence government decisions. Sometimes the complexities of the governmental system slows decision making and government action, to the detriment of individual rights and the common good. Possible Essential Questions 1. What is power? 2. How can the structure of government prevent the concentration of power? 3. Does federalism or separation of powers limit the effectiveness of governments? 4. How can citizens and groups influence the three branches and levels of government? 5. How effective is the federal system in responding to the changing needs of society? 6. How effective is the governmental system in balancing individual rights and the common good? iii
Concept Map NSL - Unit Three Functions and Powers:,, and Judicial THE PEOPLE protects the individual rights of of a democracy collectively possess The Constitution is limited and separated by POWER grant power through participation, including elections, to of all defines functions and powers National Judicial (interprets) State Judicial (interprets) Local make and influence How to promote? The Common Good How to preserve? How to protect? Societal Decisions iv
What? MSDE Content Standards (5/19/00) Addressed in this Unit [italics = not directly assessed, bold = MSDE glossary word, [brackets] = MCPS notes] Political Systems Students demonstrate understanding of how the United States Constitution allocates power and responsibility in the government. 1. Evaluate how the principles of government assist and impede the functioning of government. (G 1.1.2) 2. Explain how the executive, judicial, and legislative branches make public policy, including the United States Constitution s separation of powers and the system of checks and balances. (G 1.1.2, 1.1.3) 3. Determine the degree to which the three branches of government have maintained a balance between protecting rights and the common good. (G 1.2.1, 1.2.3, 1.2.4) 4. Analyze the powers, responsibilities, and limitations of elected and appointed officials in the national legislative, executive, and judicial branches. (G 1.1.2) 5. Describe the purposes and functions of independent regulatory agencies. (4.1.3) Students demonstrate understanding of the organization and functions of the national, state, and local governments under a federal system. 1. Compare the national and state governments with emphasis on the structures, functions, and authority of each; how power and responsibility are distributed, shared, and limited in the system of federalism established by the U.S. Constitution. (G 1.1.1, 1.1.2) Students demonstrate understanding of how the political system of the United States operates and provides opportunities for participation. 1. Analyze current examples of contributions of individuals and groups to initiate change in governmental policies and institutions. (G 1.1.4) 2. Evaluate the ways in which the government policy is shaped and set, including the influence of political parties, interest groups, lobbyists, the media, and public opinion. (G 1.1.3, 1.1.4) Social Studies Skills 1.analyze decisions made in the area of public policy, evaluate alternatives and consequences (G1.1.4, SFS 2.2.3) 2. Evaluate issues by stating and summarizing the issue, and drawing conclusions based on conflicting data.(sfs 2.2.6, 2.1.1) v
Instructional Flow NSL - Unit Three Functions and Powers:,, and Judicial Pre - Assessment What do you know about principles of government power, federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances? Students define power, identify and explain a graphic that represents a government concept and respond to selected response items. LS 1 Federalism: Sharing Power (2 sessions) Students use a physical metaphor to deepen understanding of basic principles of government, specifically: federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances. classification of powers, supremacy clause. Students are introduced to Writing in the Social Studies, 101 Drafting a Thesis Statement and Response. A unit question for a multi-paragraph essay is introduced through an Attacking the Question exercise. for instruction used to modify sets the stage LS 2 Response (4 sessions) Through direct instruction and application to a Patriot Act case study, and emergency response scenarios, students learn: the functions and powers of the President, Governor, and local executives. the role, powers, and functions of executives in an emergency. the role and powers of executive departments and agencies. Students will also gather evidence, categorize evidence and make generalizations to use in the unit multi-paragraph essay. to study LS 3 Response (3 sessions) The powers and functions of legislative bodies are learned through direct instruction and a structured debate of a portion of the Patriot Act. Students learn: the powers of Congress, General Assembly, and Montgomery County Council. how legislation is debated before Congress. the variance in powers of legislative bodies at different levels. Students will also gather evidence, categorize evidence and make generalizations to use in the unit multi-paragraph essay. red to c ompa LS 4 Judicial Response (2 sessions) Students analyze a court challenge to the Patriot Act to learn: the powers and functions of the federal and state judiciaries. the major points on each side of the case After gathering evidence and making generalizations about the judicial response to emergencies, students draft and revise the thesis statement and response of the unit essay. and all assessed by End of Unit Assessment vi