Groton Public Schools
Curriculum Map
INTRODUCTION
Mini Course Title: United States Civics: Federal Government System
Curriculum Area and Grade: Social Studies 8th Grade
Course Purpose:
The purpose of this course is to understand the Constitution and the Amendments to the Constitution and how they impact the operation of our
country’s government.
Major Learning Goals and Understandings:
Student Learning Expectation(s):
Students will learn the Three Branches of Government and how each branch checks and balances each other.
Students will understand the importance of each Bill of Rights and amendments 11-17
21st Century Learning Expectation(s): (see attached: P21 Framework: www.P21.org )
6 Weeks
1.Three branches of the Federal Government
2.Checks and Balances
3. Requirements of elected federal officials
4. Amendments to the Constitution
Mappers/Authors: Warrine Kavanaugh
Date Approved: October 2012
Part 1 - Unit/Theme/Concept
Grade:
8
Subject:
Social Studies
Course:
United States Civics: Federal
Government System
Length of Unit:
(# of weeks)
6 weeks
Common Core State Standards
Literacy in History/Social Studies (LHSS)
W-1- Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
W-2- Write informative / explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events,
Common Core State Standards
W-a-Write arguments presenting the pros or cons of specific issues
W-b-Make sure you use specific details, facts, and examples to support your side of the argument.
W-d- Establish and maintain a formal style.
W-4-Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
W-5-With guidance and support from peers and adults revise and rewrite students’ writing
W-6-Use technology, including proper internet sites, books, newspapers, magazines, photographs – primary and secondary sources.
W-7-Conduct short research project(s) to answer a question or prove a point of view.
R-4-Swtermine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to/social studies
R-6 – Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author’s point of view or purpose.
R- 7-Indentify visual information (e.g.) in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
R-8 – Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text.
R-9-Analyze the relationship between primary and secondary source on the same topic.
Standard 1 – Content Knowledge Connecticut State Standards
17.Differentiate the functions (including and balances of the United States “three branches of government, using contemporary examples
18. Evaluate the impact of the U.S. Constitution of the lives of U.S. Citizens (e.g), amendments, court cases).
Part 2 – Standards
Key (GLE) C
The students will know:
The students will be able to:



How to differentiate the
functions (including checks
and balances) of the United
States’ three branches of
government.
Evaluate the impact of the
U.S. Constitution and
Amendments on the lives of
U.S. citizens.



Research two of the checks and balances of the three branches of
government.
Analyze and apply this knowledge by writing a formal three paragraph
essay that explains how the checks and balances work within the branches
of government.
Understand the how the amendments of the Constitution have an impact.
Apply this knowledge to create a pro or con three paragraph essay to
support a position.
Bloom’s Taxonomy Levels
Creating, Evaluating, Analyzing,
Applying, Understanding and
Remembering

Students will understand the
structure of the US
governing system and apply
and evaluate the reasons for
its effectiveness in carrying
out the rule of law.
Big Idea and Essential Questions

Big Idea:
The United States Constitution designed a government to guarantee checks and balances between the three federal branches.
The amendments to the Constitution protect the rights of the individuals.

Essential Questions:
How does the U.S. Government create a strong national government in which each of the three federal branches check and balance each
other?
How does the U.S. Government protect the rights of the individuals?
Part 3 – Common Unit Assessments
Student will write either the formal three paragraph essay on the checks and balances of the Constitution or the formal three paragraph essay on the
pros or cons of one of the 27 amendments.
Part 4 – Common/Assured Learning Experiences
Students will become familiar with the three branches of federal government and how they provide checks and balances to the federal government.
Students will have learned how the amendments to the Constitution protect their rights.
Part 5-Teacher Notes
Magazine UPFRONT – NEW YORK TIMES “Supreme Court Cases that impact teenagers”
Civics textbook:
A History of US- From Colonies to a Country
America_
Video – A History of US