Formation of Governments
SS-08-1.1.1
Students will compare purposes and sources of power in the most common forms of
government (monarchy, democracy, republic).
DOK 2
I Can distinguish between:
Monarchy
Democracy
Republic
I Can explain what makes the United States a Republic.
SS-08-1.1.2
Students will describe and give examples to support how democratic government in
the United States prior to Reconstruction functioned to preserve and protect the
rights (e.g., voting), liberty and property of their citizens by making, enacting and
enforcing appropriate rules and laws (e.g., constitutions, laws, statutes).
DOK 3
I CAN identify the eight weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
I CAN explain how Shay’s rebellion played a role in the Constitutional Convention.
I CAN describe the details of the Constitutional Convention
I CAN explain why the following patriots were not at the Constitutional Convention.
o Patrick Henry
o John Hancock
o Samual Adams
o Thomas Jefferson
o John Adams
I CAN summarize the details of the Virginia Plan.
I CAN summarize the details of the New Jersey Plan.
I CAN explain what the three-fifths compromise is.
I CAN explain why the three-fifths compromise was needed.
I CAN summarize the Great Compromise.
I CAN explain why James Madison is considered the “Father of the U.S. Constitution.
SS-08-1.1.3
Students will describe and give examples of the ways the Constitution of the United
States is a document that can be changed from time to time through both formal
and informal processes (e.g., amendments, court cases, executive actions) to meet the
needs of its citizens.
DOK 2
I CAN identify how the Constitution is changed.
I CAN explain why the Constitution is called a “flexible or living” document.
I CAN define what the Bill of Rights are.
I CAN summarize the first ten amendments of the Constitution.
o 1st Amendment (five freedoms)
o 2nd Amendment
o 3rd Amendment
o 4th Amendment
o 5th Amendment
o 6th Amendment
o 7th Amendment
o 8th Amendment
o 9th Amendment
o 10th Amendment
I CAN explain what self-incrimination is.
I CAN explain what due process is.
I CAN explain double jeopardy.
I CAN explain how the 10th Amendment is connected to Federalism.
I CAN connect the Amendments in the Bill of Rights to events that caused the American
Revolution.
I CAN describe what the following Amendments did.
o 13th
o 14th
o 15th
o 18th
o 19th
o 21st
o 26th
I CAN give two other names used for the 13th, 14th, and 15th
I CAN describe what makes the 18th amendment different than any other amendment.
I CAN define suffrage.
I CAN explain what Women received from the 19th amendment.
I CAN identify who received the right to vote with the 26th amendment.
Constitutional Principles
SS-08-1.2.1
Students will identify the three branches of government, describe their functions
and analyze and give examples of the ways the U.S. Constitution separates power
among the legislative, executive and judicial branches to prevent the concentration
of political power and to establish a system of checks and balances.
DOK 3
I CAN identify the main job of the three branches of government.
o Executive Branch
o Legislative Branch
o Judicial Branch
I CAN describe the specific powers that belong to each of the three branches of
government.
o Executive Branch
o Legislative Branch
o Judicial Branch
I CAN explain the qualifications and terms of office for each of the offices of the Federal
Government.
o House of Representatives
o Senate
o President
o Supreme Court Justice
I CAN identify the branch of government that has the power to declare war.
I CAN explain Checks and Balances
I CAN identify the checks that each branch of government has over the other two.
o Legislative over Judicial
o Legislative over Executive
o Executive over Judicial
o Executive over Legislative
o Judicial over Legislative
o Judicial over Executive
I CAN describe how representation in Congress is determined
I CAN name the seven (7) major roles of the President of the United States.
o Chief of Party
o Head of State
o Chief diplomat
o Commander-in-Chief
o Chief Executive
o Chief of the Economy
o Chief Legislator
I CAN give examples of what jobs the President performs as he carries out his seven
major roles.
o Chief of Party
o Head of State
o Chief diplomat
o
o
o
o
Commander-in-Chief
Chief Executive
Chief of the Economy
Chief Legislator
I CAN explain the options that the President has when a bill arrives on his desk.
o Sign into law
o Veto
o Pocket Veto
o Do nothing
I CAN explain how congress can override a veto by the President.
I CAN describe the process a bill must take to become a law.
I CAN explain why we don’t elect Supreme Court Justices.
SS-08-1.2.2
Students will explain the reasons why the powers of the state and national/federal
governments are sometimes shared and sometimes separate (federalism) and give
examples of shared and separate powers.
DOK 2
I CAN explain what Federalism is.
I CAN describe why Federalism was included in the Constitution.
I CAN name the Federalism amendment.
I CAN list the powers that are
o Reserved to the state governments
o Delegated to the Federal government
o Shared between the state and Federalism governments
I CAN explain why the powers granted by Federalism are separated like they are.
I CAN explain how Federalism and Separation of Powers are different.
I CAN explain these powers
o Reserved
o Concurrent
o Delegated
Rights and Responsibilities
SS-08-1.3.1
Students will explain and give examples of how significant United States documents
(Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights) established democratic
principles and guaranteed certain rights for all citizens.
DOK 2
I CAN explain the six Main Principles (goals) of the U.S. Constitution.
o Popular Sovereignty
o Federalism
o Checks and Balances
o Separation of Powers
o Limited Government
o Individual Rights
I CAN discuss the goals of the Preamble to the Constitution.
o Form a more perfect Union
o Establish Justice
o Ensure domestic tranquility
o Provide for common defense
o Promote general welfare
o Secure the blessings of liberty
SS-08-1.3.2
Students will explain and give examples of how, in order for the U.S. government to
function as a democracy, citizens must assume responsibilities (e.g., participating in
community activities, voting in elections) and duties (e.g., obeying the law, paying
taxes, serving on a jury, registering for the military).
DOK 2
I CAN define
o Duties
o Responsibilities
I CAN name the five duties we have as citizens of the U.S.
I CAN name four responsibilities we have as citizens of the U.S.
I CAN explain using examples why it is important for citizens to carry out their
o duties
o responsibilities
SS-08-5.1.1
Students will use a variety of tools (e.g., primary and secondary sources) to describe
and explain historical events and conditions and to analyze the perspectives of
different individuals and groups (e.g., gender, race, region, ethnic group, age,
economic status, religion, political group) in U.S. history prior to Reconstruction.
DOK 3
I CAN define what a federalist is.
I CAN define what an anti-federalist is.
I CAN list at least two federalists.
I CAN list at least two anti-federalists.
SS-08-5.1.2
Students will explain how history is a series of connected events shaped by multiple
cause-and-effect relationships and give examples of those relationships.
DOK 3
I CAN detail how the U.S. Constitution was ratified.
I CAN explain how the addition of the Bill of Rights played a part in the ratification of
the Constitution.