SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM UNIT SIX

Name: Fairfield Township School District Date: MP 3; 2wks Lesson Title: American Government- How it works Subject: Social Studies Grade Level/Course: 2 Overview of Unit: Our government runs at the local, state and country level. Each level having its own responsibilities to its citizens. Our federal government is broken into three parts. Each having its own job and role. It is our civic responsibility to vote for our leaders.

Interdisciplinary Connections: x Language Arts x Math Science PE x Art x Technology Music World Language

Learning Targets BIG IDEA(S): There are different branches within the United States government, each with its own structure, leaders, and processes, and each designed to address specific issues and concerns. In a representative democracy, individuals elect representatives to act on the behalf of the people.

Standard(s): 6.1.4.A.4-8 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS  What are our three branches of government?  The United States government is organized  What is the responsibility of each branch? into three branches each with its own role and  Why do we have three branches of responsibilities. government?  National and state governments share power.  How do we determine our government  The United States is a representative leaders? democracy with elected officials interacting  What is the difference between community, with citizens at local, state, and national county, state and national levels of levels. government?  Government functions at the community, county, state, and national levels. UNIT LEARNING TARGETS: Students will be able to…  List the three branches of American government and give a brief explanation of their responsibilities.  Explain we have three branches as a checks and balance of government and no one part has all the control.  Determine our leaders are voted for and can change.  Determine leadership runs the same in the different levels, differing in the number of people they affect.

ASSESSMENT PERFORMANCE TASKS: Teacher Prepared assessments can include but are not limited to:

1. Written assessment 2. Small Group Projects

3. Individual Projects OTHER EVIDENCE:

 Small group discussion  Whole group discussion

 Student observation

LEARNING PLAN  Write about and illustrate the three different Resources branches of government.  Internet  Compare and contrast local, state and  School House Rock-History video and songs national levels of government.  Read aloud books and poems  Create a "My Country 'Tis of Thee" Poster.  Related videos Include our country's three part government  Discovery Education Social Studies Units and how it works, and the rights and  Scott Foresman People and Places pages freedoms people have. o 154-157 Local government o 160-163 State government o 166-169 Federal government