SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM
BASED ON MSDE STANDARDS AND GOALS
National, State, and Local Government
3
UNIT 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 Government A. Included are the
required MSDE Content Standards and Assessment Limits for the Government 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?
TENTH GRADE • UNIT 3 • ©2003 MCPS SOCIAL STUDIES
iii
Concept Map
NSL - Unit Three • Functions and Powers: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial
THE
PEOPLE
of a democracy collectively possess
protects the
individual
rights of
POWER
y
ted b
para
ion
pat
tici
par
ugh
to
hro
ns,
er t
ctio
ow
ele
nt p
ing
gra
lud
inc
ited
defines functions
and powers
The
Constitution
is lim
se
and
,
National
Government
State
Government
Executive
Executive
(enforces)
(enforces)
(enforces)
Legislative
Legislative
Legislative
(makes laws
appropriates $)
(makes laws
appropriates $)
(makes laws
appropriates $)
Judicial
(interprets)
make and
influence
of all
Judicial
(interprets)
How
to p
rom
The
Common
Good
Local
Government
Executive
ote
How to preserve?
?
Societal
Decisions
ct?
rote
to p
w
o
H
iv
TENTH GRADE • UNIT 3 • ©2003 MCPS SOCIAL STUDIES
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)
TENTH GRADE • UNIT 3 • ©2003 MCPS SOCIAL STUDIES
v
Instructional Flow
NSL - Unit Three • Functions and Powers: Executive, Legislative, 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.
u
odify i
n
s
om
t
ru
dt
ct
se
i
for
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.
on
LS 1 Federalism: Sharing Power (2 sessions)
LS 2 Executive Response (4 sessions)
set
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.
st
he
st
a
to
stu
dy
ed t o
ge
pa
r
LS 3 Legislative Response (3 sessions)
om
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.
c
and
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.
all
assessed
by
End of Unit Assessment
vi
TENTH GRADE • UNIT 3 • ©2003 MCPS SOCIAL STUDIES