CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Origins Of Government:
TLW describe the origins and
evolution of democracy in the
Western World.
Time
Materials
Validation
110165
min
United States
Government: Democracy
In Action
ISPS: PS
490.01 a
TLW analyze through
Onresearch, writing, discussion, going
and oral presentation current
issues facing all levels of
government in terms of
perennial issues facing
democracy, including:
• Conflict
between
majority
rule
and
minority rights
• Individual rights vs.
public interest.
• States rights vs. national
rights.
• Competing political
ideologies
Chapt. 1, P. 19
Chapt. 2
Chapt. 3 Section 1
Text: Chapters vary
depending upon topic.
Also use of daily
newspaper and other
current events material.
Propositions
•
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PS 489 a, b
•
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12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
Cues
The key idea of democracy is that
the people hold sovereign poser.
The idea of democracy originated
in ancient Greek city-states
Democracy cones from the Greek
and means “rule of the people”.
Read and paraphrase the second
paragraph of the Declaration of
Independence and identify John
Locke’s influence on it.
The idea that government is not
all-powerful began with the
English Magna Carte in 1217
The English colonists brought
ideas about government from
England and those ideas
influenced development of
government in the United States
Voting was more restricted in
Colonial America than it is in the
United States today.
Colonial government established
the principles of government
based on a written constitution
and separation of powers
The colonist fear of strong
government lead to creation of a
weak government under the
Articles of Confederation
The Constitution is based in part
on the political philosophy of
Ancient Greece and Rome and the
philosophy of the Age of
Enlightenment.
Student journal on role of
government in their lives
Report on nations experiencing
government in transition
Use of Internet recommended
Page 1 of 34
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
TLW understand and be able
to compare and contrast the
different forms of
government.
Time
110165
min
Materials
Video:
“Forms
Government”
World Almanac
Chapt. 1 and 25
Validation
of
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12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
Propositions
Governments are classified as
autocracy, oligarchy or
democracy depending on how
many people have power.
Authoritarian governments are
those where the people are ruled
by one person or a few people,
while democratic governments
are those where the people rule.
Government may be presidential
pr parliamentary, federal, unitary
or confederate
In a direct democracy, the people
rule themselves directly.
In an indirect democracy, the
people rule themselves through
elected officials
Cues
Compare
and
contrast
a
representative democracy to an
absolute monarchy in terms of
whom holds power, how many may
participate in governing and rights
of citizens.
From the list provided, select the
type of government that most
closely coincides with each
headline.
• Dictatorship
• Direct Democracy
• Representative Democracy
• Absolute Monarchy
• Oligarchy
• Aristocracy
• Constitutional Monarchy
A. “Town Meeting to be Held
Tuesday. All Citizens Welcome
to Set City Budget”
B. “Queen Fredricka Nicole
Declares War Scot Islands!”
C. “Jones Back to Hear from
Citizens Before the Big Vote in
the national Capital”
D. “Central Planners Announce
Plans for Economic Reforms”
E. “Colonel Hatti has Seized
Control of Tongo!”
F. “King Edward and Prime
Minister Attend Annual AIDS
Benefit”
Page 2 of 34
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Foundations Operations Of
The American Political
System
TLW know the definition of
politics and be able to
demonstrate the
interrelationship between
politics and government.
TLW explain the concept of
Constitutional Law and trace
its development in western
civilization, including the
United States.
Time
55-110
min
Materials
Chapt. 1 and 16
Validation
ISPS:
502.01 a
Propositions
•
•
165220
min
Chapt.3and 15
ISPS:
503.01 a
•
PS 489.01 c
•
•
TLW compare and contrast
the essential features, ideals,
and objectives of the
Declaration of Independence,
the Articles of Confederation,
and the U.S. Constitution.
385440
min
Chapt. 2 & 3
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
ISPS: PS
503.01 b
•
•
the effort control the conduct and
policies of government is called
politics
the political process involves
citizens and the government in
making decisions that affect our
society in many ways
Constitutional Laws deals with
the formation, interpretation and
application of the Constitution.
Most American colonies had a
written Constitution that formed
the basis of its government.
The United States Constitution is
the supreme law of the land and
serves as a morally binding force
for our nation
All three of our founding
documents were written in
Philadelphia, but by different
people, at different times and for
different purposes
Thomas Jefferson wrote the
original draft of the Declaration
Cues
Describe a local political issue
and show the relationship
between public opinion on the
issue, as expressed by different
groups and individuals and the
public policy that was created.
Create a chart showing the three
main sources used to create the
Constitution. Include two or three
specific ideas or concepts of
government from each source, and
give an example of how they are
used in our system of government
Good activity with newspapers
Letters to the editor
Political parties – use guest speakers
Use a visual diagram (spider
diagram) as a way to present the
information to the students.
The document that created a “loose
alliance of states”, was :
A. the Declaration of Independence
B. the U.S. Constitution
C. the Articles of Confederation
D. none of the above
Page 3 of 34
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
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12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
Propositions
of Independence.
The Declaration of Independence
expressed the political philosophy
of the American Revolution
The Declaration of Independence
states our reasons for separating
from England and it has since
served as an ideal of freedom and
equality.
Fear of authority and loss of
power lead to the creation of a
weak government under the
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation
served as a “rough draft” of the
Constitution
The Constitution created a federal
system with a strong central
government, while preserving the
role and authority of state
governments.
The need for stronger
government, coupled with distrust
of power, lead to the government
created by the Constitution
Much debate arose over the
ratification of the new
Constitution. The Federalists
supported ratification while the
Anti-Federalists opposed
ratification without the inclusion
of a “Bill of Rights”
Cues
Have students paraphrase selected
parts of the Declaration of
Independence and the Preamble to
the Constitution.
Page 4 of 34
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
TLW know and be able to
apply the 6 principles of the
Constitution
• Separation of powers
• Checks and balances
• Limited government
• Judicial review
• Federalism
• Popular sovereignty
Time
110
and
ongoing
Materials
Chapt. 3, various others
Validation
ISPS: PS
503.01 c
•
•
•
•
•
•
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TLW demonstrate understanding
of the conditions for and
concepts of democracy,
including majority rule with
minority rights
55110,
ongoing
Chap. 1 and various
others.
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
ISPS: PS
503.01 c
•
Propositions
The United States Constitution is
based on six major principles of
government, most of which limit
the power of government.
Separation of powers divides the
poser of government into three
branches, each with its own type
of power
A system of checks and balances
allows each branch to have some
control or influence over the
others
Federalism divides the power of
government between the national
government and the states.
Limited government means that
the government is not allpowerful; it has limits placed on it
by the Constitution
Judicial review is the power of
the federal courts to review
government actions to determine
if they are constitutional
Popular sovereignty means that
the government is based on the
people and they have the final
power
Major characteristics of
democracy include protection of
individual liberty, majority rule
with minority rights, free
elections and competing political
Cues
Define judicial review and provide
an example.
Stress the importance of these as
foundational concepts. Use current
news for examples of these
principles.
Majority rule with minority rights is
a good topic to use with Civil
Rights.
Page 5 of 34
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
TLW compare the concept of
Federalism, checks and
balances, and separation of
powers to show how power is
divided, shared and limited in
our system of government.
110165
min
Newspaper
TLW analyze selective
amendments to the U.S.
Constitution in terms of the
issues they addressed, the
reasons for their adoption.
165220
min
Chapt. 3
Validation
ISPS:
503.01 d
Chapt. 3and 4
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
ISPS: PS
503.01 c
Propositions
parties.
• Our founders took great care to
protect the minority against the
“tyranny of the majority”.
• Democracy will not succeed if the
necessary conditions are not
present
• The Constitution was created to
regulate and control the power of
government in several ways,
including checks and balances,
federalism and separation of
powers
• The Constitution created a formal
amendment process to allow for
change
• The political process involves
citiz3ens and the government in
making decisions that affect our
society in many ways.
Amendments to the Constitution are
added as a response to some major
national issue or concern (and are
adopted only with strong support).
Cues
Federalism is a division of power
between:
1. the 3 branches of government
2. state and local government
3. state and national government
4. states themselves
Use Ladder of Laws, a chart, or
Venn Diagram to show similarities
and differences.
Which amendment limits the
president’s time in office and which
president’s tenure triggered the
amendment:
A. the 12th Amendment and George
Washington
B. the 20th Amendment and
Theodore Roosevelt
C. The 22nd Amendment and
Franklin Roosevelt
D. The 25th Amendment and
Ronald Reagan
Page 6 of 34
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
Propositions
Cues
Use voting amendment
Pick one amendment – do in-depth
analysis
Create rubric for analyzing
individual amendments.
TLW demonstrate knowledge
of the amendment process.
55-110
min
Chapt. 3
TLW demonstrate knowledge
of how the United States is
governed by a system of law.
220275
min
Chapt 3 and 15
•
ISPS:
502.01 b
•
•
•
TLW explain the historical
development and role of
political parties and their
place within American
Government.
275330
min
Chapt. 16
ISPS: PS
504.01 e
•
•
•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
Do poster illustrating one of the
amendments in the Bill of Rights
• Have students create an
Amendments to the Constitution
amendment and a plan to get it
must be proposed by a two-thirds
passed
vote of both houses of Congress
and be ratified by three-fourths of • Often in current events
the states.
• Stress the importance of these 6
principles
Define
the term “constitutional
Laws are written by legislatures at
government” and explain why it
the local, state and federal levels
applies to the United States.
of government
The US Constitution is the
Be sure students understand the
Supreme Law of the land
The courts can determine whether concepts of the Supremacy Clause.
or not laws are constitutional.
The Bull Moose party was:
Our two main parties originated
A. An ideological party
prior to the Civil War and have
B. A single issue party
evolved into the Democrat and
C. A splinter party
Republican parties of today.
Minor parties may be ideological, None of the above.
single issue or splinter parties and
And its effect on the Election of
they serve to create political
1912 was:
change
A. To elect Theodore Roosevelt
Political parties perform many
Page 7 of 34
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
•
TLW explain the role and
evaluate the impact of interest
groups, lobbyists, and the
media in the American
system of government.
550660
min
Chapt. 18 & 19
•
•
•
•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
Propositions
functions, including nomination
of candidates and promoting
citizen involvement in
government
A party’s statement of principles,
beliefs and positions on vital
issues is its “Platform”.
People with common interests
and goals organize groups to
influence the government and
such groups serve as a bridge
between the people and
government. Interest groups are
based on a wide variety of
concerns, including economics,
differing values and beliefs and
various non-political reasons.
Interest groups differ from
political parties in several ways:
parties nominate candidates,
interest groups do not; parties are
broadly based and interest groups
are not
Lobbyists represent interest
groups in trying to influence the
actions of government
Lobbyists make use of various
methods and money from several
sources, as they try to influence
the government
Cues
president
B. To unite the Republican Party
C. To swing the election to
Woodrow Wilson
D. To elect a socialist as president.
• Use with political spectrum
• Short report of 3rd parties.
• Good with election activities.
You are a lobbyist for a major
interest group. You have to defend
your activities and the use of PAC
money to a Congressional
committee. Define the underlined
terms and write a paragraph in
which you defend the role of all
three.
•
Create a pamphlet representing
an interest group.
• $ for President/State elections
• Campaign finance reform
Page 8 of 34
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
Propositions
Public opinion is shaped by
individual political socialization,
the mass media, government
leaders and our political culture
Public opinion is measured in
several ways, but most accurately
through scientific polling
Public opinion is one factor in
influencing public opinion, but
not always the most relevant one.
One mass media consists of
various types of print and
electronic media
Our media enjoys broad, but no
unlimited rights under the first
amendment
The competitive, free enterprise
mature of our medial influences
how they report the news.
Ownership of the media has
become more concentrated, and
the news itself has become more
entertainment oriented
The media and the government
have a symbiotic relationship;
each gets something from the
other
The national government has the
responsibility of regulating the
media
Cues
Page 9 of 34
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
TLW identify tensions and
conflicting views associated
with our understanding and
practice of democracy.
Time
110165
min
Materials
Chapt. 16 & 17
Validation
ISPS:
490.01 b
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Propositions
The Democrats are generally
more liberal and favor a stronger
role for the national government,
while the Republicans are
generally more conservative and
favor a stronger role for state
governments
Liberal and conservative are two
competing philosophies that have
a big impact on our political
system
Campaign strategy and the use of
the media create political tensions
Campaigns are expensive and the
issue of campaign finance,
particularly the issue of “soft
money” has generated much
controversy.
Increased voter eligibility has
resulted primarily from the
women’s suffrage movement and
the civil rights movement
There is concern about low voting
turnout, but disagreement about
what, if anything, to do about it.
Various factors, including their
personal background, party,
loyalty, and education influence
voters choices and sometimes
they are faced with cross
pressures.
Cues
Given statements from a liberal
Democratic candidate and a
conservative Republican candidate,
TLW identify each statement as
reflecting the Democratic or
Republican point of view.
Evaluate TV campaign ads
Page 10 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
TLW identify and evaluate
the methods of nominating
candidates for office and the
major steps in the electoral
process at all three levels of
government.
Time
330385
min
Materials
Chapt. 16 & 17
Validation
ISPS:
506.01 c
•
•
•
TLW
analyze
through on
research, writing, discussion, going
and oral presentations current
issues facing all levels of
government in terms of
perennial
issues
facing
democracy, including:
• Conflict
between
majority
rule
and
minority rights
• Individual rights vs.
public interest.
• States rights vs. national
rights.
Chapters vary depending
on the topic. Also use of
daily newspaper and
other current events
materials
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Propositions
Ways of nominating candidates
range from the caucus, the least
democratic, the nominating
convention, the petition and the
open primary, which is the most
democratic.
Selection of office holders
involves nominations, the
campaign and the general election
with the presidential election
being the most complex.
The presidential election process
includes announcement of
candidacy, caucuses and
primaries, the national
convention, general campaign,
general election and the Electoral
College vote.
Cues
Compare campaign strategies in
local, state and national elections.
True/False. If false, correct to make
it true:
Those who favor a states rights
position would agree with President
Clinton’s proposal to set aside 40
million acres of national forest
lands as road less areas, and they
would agree that he had the poser to
do so.
Use of Internet recommended
Page 11 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Competing political
ideologies
Organization And
Formation Of The
American System Of
Government
TLW understand and
compare the three branches of
the federal government, their
basic organization, powers
and responsibilities.
Time
Materials
Validation
Propositions
Cues
•
13751650
min
Chapt. 5-12
ISPS: PS
504.01 a
•
•
•
•
•
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•
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12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Formal requirements for
membership in Congress include
minimum age, US citizenship and
state residency.
States are represented in the
House according to their
population; in the Senate they are
represented equally.
In the lower house, Senators serve
six-year terms
The Constitution provides for a
presiding officer to lead each
house of Congress
Political party practices have
created other leadership positions
in both houses
House rules are more formal and
designed to limit debate while
Senate rules are more informal
and are meant to allow debate.
The majority of work in Congress
is done through the committee
system
Committees vary greatly as to
their power and functions.
Major powers of Congress
Which of the following accounts
for the fact that power and
prestige of the presidency have
grown since 1932?
(I)
America’s increased
prominence in international
affairs.
(II)
Continually improved
public confidence in the
federal government
(III) The New Deal and other
programs that have expanded
federal responsibility
(IV) The President’s increased
visibility, due to development
of mass media.
(V)
I only
(VI) I and IV only
(VII) I, III and IV only
(VIII) II and IV only
(IX)
II, III and IV only
Page 12 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
•
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12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Propositions
include both legislative and nonlegislative powers
The major powers of Congress
are derived from the US
Constitution
The major role of Congress is to
be the lawmaking branch of our
national government
The lawmaking process involves
several major steps and the
procedures are similar in both
houses
The complicated nature of
lawmaking insures that bills have
broad support before they become
laws.
With the exception of revenue
bills, laws may begin in either
house of Congress.
Congress controls federal
spending through its legislation
process
Many factors influence the
members of Congress as they
consider new laws
In addition to lawmaking,
members of Congress serve their
constituents and their states in
various ways.
The relationship between the
President and Congress is one of
conflict and cooperation.
Cues
Page 13 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
Propositions
Congress is highly partisan and
many of its procedures and
policies reflect that fact.
nd
2 Semester: Executive Branch
• The Constitution requires the
president to be a natural born
citizen, have lived in the United
States for at least 14 years, and be
at least 35 years old.
• The informal qualifications for
being president include previous
political experience, access to
money, moderate political beliefs
and the right personal
characteristics
• The president’s term and
compensation are provided for by
the constitution and acts of
Congress
• Details of presidential succession
and disability are provided for in
the 15th Amendment
• The Two constitutional duties of
the vice-president are to reside
over the senate and to assume the
presidency if need be.
• The Electoral College was set up
to provide an alternative to direct
popular election of the president
• The 12th Amendment was added
to resolve a problem in the
Electoral College created by the
Cues
•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Page 14 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
•
•
•
•
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•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Propositions
rise of political parties.
The Electoral College has
advantages and disadvantages and
there are many proposals for
reform, each with their pros and
cons..
Cabinet members are appointed
by the president, and politics
plays a major role in their
appointment, in their relationship
to the president, and to each other
The cabinet’s influence is limited
by conflicting loyalties and the
issues of secrecy and trust
The Executive Office of the
President consists of individuals
and agencies that directly assist
the president
Major agencies of the EOP are
the Office of Management and
Budget, the National Security
Council, and the Council of
Economic Advisors
The White House Office,
consisting of the president’s
closest personal staff and aides,
serves as the president’s right
arm.
The president’s powers are based
on Article II of the Constitution
,but have evolved historically due
to a number of other
Cues
Page 15 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
Propositions
considerations
• Informal sources of presidential
power include the personal
exercise of power, the immediate
needs of the nation and the
mandate of the people
• Presidential powers are limited by
Congress, the courts, the
bureaucracy and public opinion.
• The roles of chief economic
planner and party leader have
evolved into an important part of
the president’s duties.
• All of the president’s roles
involve the use of formal and
informal sources and types of
power.
• Presidents have varying
leadership styles: some are
micromanagers and others are
macro managers
Judicial Branch:
•
•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Cues
The federal bureaucracy
includes the Cabinet,
independent executive
agencies, government
corporations and regulatory
commissions, all generally
under the control of the
president.
The federal bureaucracy is
Page 16 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
Propositions
•
•
•
•
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•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Cues
staffed mainly through the
civil service, with top-level
positions filled through
political appointments
The federal bureaucracy
influences public policy in a
number of ways
Jurisdiction nay be original,
appellate or concurrent
The jurisdiction of the federal
courts is based on the parties
involved in the case or the
subject matter of the case as
defined in Article III of the
constitution.
The power of the US Supreme
Court has evolved throughout
our history, beginning with the
case of Mar bury V Madison
1803, continuing through the
civil rights era of the 1960s
and the presidential election of
2000
Constitutional courts include
the federal district courts, the
courts of appeal and the
powers of Congress.
Legislative courts include the
US Claims Court, the US Tax
Page 17 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
Propositions
•
•
•
•
•
•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Cues
Court, the Court of Military
Appeals, Territorial Courts and
the Courts of the District of
Columbia.
Federal judges are appointed
by the president, subject to
approval of the US Senate, and
serve for life or “good
behavior”.
Politics plays a major role in
the selection and appointment
of federal judges.
The Supreme Court is our
court of last resort and the final
interpreter and authority on all
federal cases, treaties and the
Constitution
The majority of Supreme
Court cases arise under its
appellate jurisdiction in which
it hears cases that are appeals
from lower federal courts.
The Supreme Court, under its
original jurisdiction hears a
limited number of cases
involving representatives of
foreign governments or cases
in which a state is a party.
The main duties of the nine
Page 18 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
Propositions
•
•
•
TLW understand and
compare the differences in the
functions and powers of
national, states, and local
governments.
165220
min
and on
going
Daily newspaper
ISPS: PS
504.01 b
•
Chapt. 4, 23 and 24
•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Cues
justices of the Supreme Court
are to decide which cases to
hear, to hear and decide those
cases, and to write opinions, or
explanations of those cases.
Supreme Court decisions have
broad implication, so the
appointment of justices by the
president is a major decision,
with strong political overtones.
The Supreme Court is limited
by the types of issues and
cases it hears, limited control
over its agenda, a lack of
enforcement power, and
checks and balances
Existing laws and Court
decision, personal views of
justices, their interactions with
one another, social forces and
public opinion, and Congress
and the president influence
Supreme Court decisions.
The Constitution specifically
gives some powers to the national
government, while others are
implied from those that are
specifically expressed and others
are denied.
Some powers belong exclusively
Using N for national, S for state or
B for both, identify which level of
government is responsible for each
of the following:
• Regulates interstate commerce
• Provides for public education
• Declares war
Page 19 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Validation
Propositions
to the national government. Some •
are shared with the states, and
•
others are reserved to the states.
•
• The national government is
supreme over state governments.
• Throughout our history there have
been two competing views of
how federalism should operate:
the state rights position and the
nationalists position.
• The states rights position holds
that the Constitution was a
compact in which the states
created the national government
and gave it limited powers, with
all other powers reserved to the
states.
• The nationalist position holds that
the Constitution was created by
the people, not the states, and it
has whatever power necessary to
carry out the peoples will, and the
states cannot properly limit that
power.
• There are numerous events and
issues that have shaped the
interpretation of how federalism
should operate; generally the
nationalist view has prevailed
Second Semester :
• Local governments are entities of
the states, i.e. they are established
Cues
Coins money
Punishes crimes
Grants divorces
Page 20 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
•
•
•
•
•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Propositions
by state governments and have no
legal independence separate from
the states.
The four main types of local
governments in the US are county
government, towns/townships,
municipal or city government and
special districts.
The major forms of municipal
government are the mayorcouncil form, the councilmanager form and the
commission form.
The mayor, city manager or
individual commissioners serve
as the executive for city
government, while the council or
the commissioners as a group,
serve as the legislative body.
Local governments provide a
variety of services and functions,
such as providing education,
zoning and planning, police and
fire protection, water, utilities,
sewage, transportation, recreation
and cultural activities and social
services.
Special district are local units of
government established to
provide one specific type of
service; school districts are the
most common
Cues
Page 21 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Propositions
Taxing powers of local
government are regulated by the
state
The property tax is the main
source of revenue from local
government, and a variety of
other sources are also used.
State constitutions create the
structure of state government,
establish local government,
regulate how state and local
governments may tax and spend,
and establish independent
agencies and boards.
State constitutions share similar
characteristics and are generally
longer and more detailed than the
US Constitution.
The legislature is the lawmaking
branch of state government, and
is responsible for policy making,
taxing and spending, and serves
as a check on the executive and
judicial branches of state
government.
State legislatures share many
similarities, but there are some
differences with each other and
with Congress.
The executive branch is headed
by the governor who shares
power with other elected
Cues
Page 22 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Propositions
executive officials.
The governor is responsible for
executing state law and
administering state government.
State courts interpret and apply
state laws and the state
constitution, and resolve legal
disputes.
State court systems share
common features, such as elected
judges and a court system headed
by a state supreme court.
State governments create policy
over a wide range of areas,
including regulating state
businesses, providing economic
growth and environmental
regulation, public health services,
education and safety.
Local governments are
established by state governments
and are subordinate to them.
The four basic types of local
government and county
government, townships, city or
municipal government and
special districts.
County government is usually
headed by a governing board,
which combines executive and
legislative powers.
County government is usually
Cues
Page 23 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
•
•
•
•
•
•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Propositions
headed by a governing board,
which combines executive and
legislative powers.
County governments, which vary
in power and influence, are
usually composed of a number of
popularly elected officials who
share responsibility for county
services.
Townships exist primarily in New
England and the Midwest, and
may include local town meetings.
The three types of city
governments are manager-council
form, commission form, and the
Mayor-council form.
The Mayor-council form is the
dominant form in Idaho and
includes a strong mayor and weak
mayor form.
Local governments are
responsible for providing a wide
variety of services from police
and fire protection, zoning and
planning, sewage, libraries, and
many others.
Local governments receive their
revenue from many sources; the
main one of which is property tax
for local government.
Cues
Page 24 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
TLW know and evaluate the
ways each level of
government raises revenue.
Time
110165
min
Materials
Chapt. 20 and 23
Validation
ISPS:
504.01 c
•
•
•
•
•
•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Propositions
The main source of revenue for
the federal government is the
individual income tax; other
sources include corporate income
tax, social insurance tax, excise
taxes, customs duties, and estate
and gift taxes.
The federal government has the
power to borrow money through
bonds and other securities; this
has often led to deficit spending
and a large national debt.
Preparation of our nation’s annual
budget is an on-going process
under the joint control of the
president and the Congress.
The federal budget is a major
policy document and it often
involves major political struggles
between the president and
Congress, and/or the Democrats
and Republicans.
The sales tax is the main source
of revenue for state government;
other taxes include individual and
corporate income taxes, license
fees, severance taxes, inheritance
and estate taxes and other fees.
States get revenue from non-tax
sources such a grants from the
federal government, lotteries and
borrowing.
Cues
Use World Almanac Federal Budget
Summary
Identify the major source of revenue
for the national government, state
government and local government
Page 25 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
TLW explain the nature of
the trust and treaty
relationships that exists
between the national and state
governments with the Native
American tribes.
TLW compare and evaluate
examples of presidential
leadership in terms of their
style, achievements and
weaknesses.
Time
110
min
Materials
Validation
ISPS:
504.01 d
Propositions
•
•
•
110165
min
Chapt. 9
ISPS: PS
490.01 e
•
•
•
TLW explain the conflicting
views of states rights
and analyze given examples
of states rights dispute in light
of those views.
165220
min
Chapter 4
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
ISPS:
490.01 d
Presidential leadership qualities
include understanding the public,
the ability to compromise, a good
sense of timing, openness to new
ideas, the ability to compromise
and political courage
President’s achievements are a
result of their use of leadership
qualities and historical
circumstances
Presidential isolation, which may
result from a number of factors,
may limit presidential leadership
and achievements.
Cues
Use recent relevant Supreme
Court cases
CD’A tribe and Lake CD’A
Native American guest speaker
Good current events issue. Apply
text criteria of presidential
leadership to current presidents
leadership
Using 4 of the 6 qualities of
presidential leadership, pick any 2
presidents from the 20th century.
Compare them in those 4 areas and
then give an assessment of their
success as a president, with 3 or 2
examples to support your
assessment.
The 6 Qualities are:
• Understanding the public
• Ability to communicate
• Sense of timing
• Openness to new ideas
• Ability to compromise
• Political courage
Use Idaho Issues
• Road less Proposal
• Historical examples
Venn Diagram.
Page 26 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
TLW
analyze
through On
research, writing, discussion, going
and oral presentations current
issues facing all levels of
government in terms of
perennial
issues
facing
democracy, including:
• Conflict
between
majority
rule
and
minority rights
• Individual rights vs.
public interest.
• States rights vs. national
rights.
• Competing political
Materials
Chapters vary depending
on topic. Also use of
daily newspaper and
other current events
materials
Validation
Chapt. 22
ISPS:
505.01 a
Propositions
Cues
Use of Internet recommended
ideologies
U.S. Foreign Affairs
TLW know the evolution and
characteristics of American
foreign policy and how it has
been and is implemented.
TLW explain and evaluate the
role of the U.S. in the world,
including involvement in
international organizations
165220
min
•
•
Chapter 22
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
ISPS: PS
505.01 b
•
The main objective of foreign
policy is to protect the nation’s
self-interest and national security.
United States foreign policy has
evolved through three main stage:
isolationism, imperialism, and
internationalism.
The US rejection of the Treaty of
Versailles after World War I, was an
example of :
A. Isolationism
B. Imperialism
C. Detente
D. Containment
Major foreign policy doctrines for
the United States have included
the Monroe Doctrine, the
Roosevelt Corollary, the Good
Good for research project on current
world issues, including the role of
the United nations
Explain the original purpose of
NATO and evaluate its role and our
involvement in it, in the Post Cold
War era.
Page 27 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
and agreements.
TLW explain and evaluate
American foreign policy as it
relates to global
environmental issues.
Time
110165
min
Materials
Current media sources
Validation
ISPS: PS
505.01 c
•
Chapter 22
•
•
•
•
•
•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Propositions
Neighbor Policy, containment,
the Marshall Plan and detente.
American foreign policy is
mainly under the control of the
president in his roles as
commander-in-chief and Chief
Diplomat.
Congress shares in foreign policy
through several powers granted
by the Constitution.
Foreign policy is generally
bipartisan, with the president
having the most influence, and
public opinion also playing a role.
The State Department and the
Defense Department are the two
main executive branch
organizations responsible for
developing and carrying our
foreign policy.
Tools for foreign policy include
alliances and pacts reached
through normal diplomacy,
foreign aid, economic sanctions,
and the use of military force.
Protecting our national security
involves dealing with may
potential threats, including
nuclear war, terrorism, limited or
regional wars, and civil wars.
The US seeks to maintain
national security and world
Cues
Good topic for current events
Given a newspaper story on a global
environmental issue, identify the US
position and relate it to our current
foreign policy goals
Good topic for research activity
Page 28 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
•
TLW
analyze
through
research, writing, discussion,
and debate, current issues
facing
all
levels
of
government in terms of
perennial
issues
facing
democracy including:
• Conflict
between
majority
rule
and
minority rights
• Individual rights vs.
public interest.
• States rights vs. national
rights.
• Competing political
ideologies
Citizens Responsibilities
And Rights
TLW know and explain
citizen rights and how they
are interrelated with
responsibilities.
165275
min
Chapters vary depending
on topic. Also use of
daily newspaper and
other current events
materials
275385
min
Chapt. 14
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Propositions
leadership through membership in
may international organizations,
including the United Nations.
The US seeks to maintain
economic prosperity through
promotion of freer international
trade and economic development
of poorer nations.
Cues
Use of Internet recommended
ISPS:
506.01 a
•
•
US citizenship grants a person
both rights and responsibilities;
the two cannot be separated.
The responsibilities of citizenship
include knowing about one’s
rights, knowing and obeying the
Report on immigration
Write an essay explaining how you
would respond to the Aryan Nations
marching in the 4th of July parade.
Demonstrate an understanding of
the principles of good citizenship
Page 29 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
TLW know the main ways
that citizens can participate in
the political process at all
levels of government.
TLW define citizen and
citizenship and know the
ways an individual becomes a
citizen.
Time
165275
min
55-110
min
Materials
Chapter 14, 16-18
Chapt. 14
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Validation
ISPS:
506.01 b
ISPS:
506.01 d
Propositions
law, informed participation in the
political system, respect for the
principles of democracy, loyalty
to the government and its
principals, as well as other duties
such as military service and jury
duty.
Political parties encourage citizen
involvement in government in the
following ways:
• Recruiting candidates for office
• Educating and informing the
public
• Providing a basis for operating
the government
• Providing peaceful resolution of
societal conflict
• Voting is a basic political right of
all citizens who meet certain
qualifications set by law
• Voting allows citizens to take
positive actions to influence or
control government
• Voting allows citizens
opportunities to influence
government as individuals or as
members of groups.
• A citizen is a member of a
political society, or nation, and
citizenship is their membership in
that nation.
• An individual may become a
Cues
and of the First Amendment.
•
Explain the difference between
typical vote and non-voter.
• Explain why voting is
important.
• List three ways that you can
give input to your state legislator
or member of Congress on a
current political issue.
Active citizen participation should
be stressed and incorporated through
all levels of the course. Student
participation in Youth Court.
Assign students to work for political
parties.
Give student s (Naturalization)
citizenship test as intro to the topic
Page 30 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
•
•
•
TLW understand the concept
of civil rights and identify
how they have been expanded
through individual and
government actions.
550660
min
Video: “Understanding
Your Rights”
ISPS:
490.01 c
•
Chapter 13
•
•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Propositions
citizen of the United States by
birth or by the process of
naturalization.
Citizenship by birth may be being
born in the US or in US territory
(jus solis), or it may be by being
born to an American parents or
parents (jus sanguinis).
Citizenship by naturalization
takes place through a formal
process supervised primarily by
the Immigration and
Naturalization Service.
Citizenship may be lost through
expatriation as punishment for
certain crimes, and by
denaturalization.
Natural, or human rights, are at
the heart of the United States
political system, and are protected
by the Constitution, particularly
the Bill of Rights.
The Supreme Court, through the
process of incorporation, has
nationalized the Bill of Rights by
declaring that through the 14th
amendment. It also applies to
state governments.
The Supreme Court, through its
decisions, is constantly
interpreting and re-interpreting
the meaning of the individual
Cues
Two Supreme Court cases that
expand the rights of those accused
of crimes are:
• Plessy vs. Ferguson and Brown
vs. Board of Education
• Lemon Vs. Kurtzman and
Abingdon School District vs.
Schemp
• Miranda vs. Arizona and
Gideon vs. Wainwright
• McCulloch vs. Ogden
Page 31 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
•
•
•
•
•
•
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Propositions
rights guaranteed in the Bill of
Rights.
The Supreme Court has provided
our current understanding of
separation of church and state as
defined in the establishment
clause and the free exercise clause
of the 1st Amendment.
The Supreme Court, through its
decisions, determines what is and
what is not considered free
speech, and therefore protected or
not protected by the Constitution.
The Supreme Court has generally
forbidden prior restraint of the
media, and has made decisions
that uphold the freedom of the
press.
In cases of conflict between a fair
trial and freedom of the press, the
Supreme Court has generally
sided with the right to a fair trial
and ahs thus allowed some limits
on the press in trials.
While generally upholding
freedom of assembly and the right
to petition, the Supreme Court has
placed some limits/conditions on
both.
The Supreme Court has acted to
protect the rights of the accused
through such things as the
Cues
Page 32 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
Objective
Time
Materials
Validation
•
•
TLW describe and
demonstrate how diverse
populations have contributed
to the political life of the
United States.
220275
min
Chapt. 14 and throughout
ISPS:
503.01 f
•
•
TLW
analyze
through Cont.
research, writing, discussion,
and oral presentation current
issues facing all levels of
government in terms of
perennial
issues
facing
democracy, including:
Chapters vary depending
on topic. Also use of
daily newspaper and
other current events
materials
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
Propositions
exclusionary rule, the Miranda
warnings, and the Gideon
decision.
The Supreme Court has defined
and applied the equal protection
clause of the 14th Amendment to
insure fair treatment for women
and minorities.
Civil rights issues and challenges
to our rights are resolved by the
Supreme Court on an on-going
basis as new issues and new
conflicts arise.
The United States is a nation of
immigrants. An important
contribution to its social, cultural,
political, and economic wellbeing have been made by many
different ethnic groups.
United States immigration
policies have been altered
throughout our history based on
prevailing social, economic, and
political conditions of the time.
Cues
Have student write on how it relates
to citizenship.
Given statistics showing the
demographic makeup of congress,
create a pie graph showing the
makeup of the current Congress.
Supreme court has ruled that the
National Boy Scouts organization
may ban gays from leadership in
their organization. Write a
paragraph supporting their decision
and one opposing their decisions. In
each paragraph, support your view
Page 33 of
CURRICULUM GUIDE
Government
Social Studies
•
•
•
•
Objective
Conflict
between
majority
rule
and
minority rights
Individual rights vs.
public interest.
States rights vs. national
rights.
Competing political
ideology
Time
Materials
Validation
Propositions
Cues
with the relevant part of the
Constitution.
Aryan Nations march
Right of Conscientious Objectors
TECHNOLOGY
INTEGRATION
Use technology to support,
enhance and access social studies
information. Refer to the
appropriate grade level
technology objectives and the
indicated cues.
12th US Government District Curriculum Guide 0604
34
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