D11-DOI-Social Studies-11th Grade, Yearly Overview

District 11 Educational Support Services
Social Studies

U.S. Government: The Origins of Government

Course Number: SS.USGOV

Overview
View the Video Introduction. Does America have the best form of government? Where did the ideas come from that helped our forefathers build our governmental structure? Has it changed from its original form? In this unit, you will learn the answer to these questions as you explore the foundations of American democracy. You will also discover how these ideas affect your daily life.

Career Connection: This course introduces students to the types of work performed by Sociologists, Historians, Politicians, and Government Employees.

For Teachers

Quarter 1 2

Quarter 3 4

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Daily Lessons

Enduring Understandings - important ideas that students should carry with them years beyond the instruction received this year.

Political theories and documents provided the foundation for the US Constitution.
The purposes and design of the US government impact individuals and society.
Citizens must be able to analyze Constitutional conflicts.
The structure and function of local, state and national governments impact policy making.
Political ideologies influence governmental policies and decisions.
Foreign policy influences political relationships among nations.
Civic participation involves roles, rights, and responsibilities.
Citizen participation influences the making of public policy.

Essential Questions - most important “big picture” questions students should be able to answer after completing learning activities.

What documents and theories form the basis of the United States government? How did they influence the development of US government?
What is a constitution? How does a constitutional government work? What is a constitutional government?
What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?
How did the Articles of Confederation influence the development of the US Constitution?
What are the purposes of government? How does government impact life today? What is the role of government in a citizen’s life?
Why are the six basic principles of US Constitutional government important? How is the Constitution organized?
How and why must a citizen be able to analyze Constitutional issues?
What is the role and what are the powers of the legislative branch? How does the legislative branch interact with other branches of government? How does a bill become a law?
What are the powers of the Executive branch? What are the powers of the president? How does the executive branch interact with other branches of government?
What is the role of the judicial branch? How does the legislative branch interact with other branches of government? How has the Supreme Court influenced public policy?
Where do different political ideologies belong on the political spectrum?
What are the beliefs associated with each? How do the two major political parties differ?
What is foreign policy? Why does the United States have foreign policy?
Which foreign policy goal has the greatest impact on how the United States interacts politically with other nations?
Which diplomatic strategy used by the United States to develop and implement foreign policy has been most effective? Why?
Which governmental official has the greatest responsibility for foreign policy?
What is citizenship? How does one become a citizen? What are the duties and responsibilities of a citizen?
Which strategies can citizens use most effectively to influence public policy?

District 11 curriculum is designed to prepare and equip students to be successful in the 21st Century. Curriculum resources and lessons included here have been aligned to the Colorado Standards for each content area. In addition, the entire program has been aligned with the knowledge, skills, and learner attributes the Partnership for 21st Century Skills promotes as necessary for success in the 21st Century. You will see the highlighted core values embedded in these lessons and activities.

A	Academic Preparedness: the foundation required for either higher education, or high-wage, high skills jobs
C	Cultural Competence: the ability to understand and interpret political and cultural events from multiple perspectives in a global society, a core competency in 21st Century Skills
H	High-Functioning Team Member Skills: collaboration is a core competency in 21st Century Skills
I	Innovative Thinking and Problem Solving Skills: a core competency for 21st Century Skills
E	Effective Use of Information Technology: a core competency for 21st Century Skills
V	Vital Participation in Civic Responsibility: "share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society" Standards for the 21st-Century Learner from American Library Assoc.
E	Effective Communication Skills: a core competency for 21st Century Skills

Standards and Benchmarks

Civics 1: Students understand the purpose of government, and the basic constitutional principles of the United States republican form of government.

Benchmark 1A: Students understand the principles of the United States constitutional government.

Benchmark 1B: Students know the essential characteristics of limited and unlimited government.

Benchmark 1C: Students know and understand what government is and what purpose it serves.

Benchmark 1D: Students know the distinctive characteristics of political culture of the United States.

Benchmark 1E: Students know the fundamental democratic principles inherent in the US concept of a constitutional democratic republic.
Civics 2: Students know the structure and function of local, state and national government and how citizen involvement shapes public policy.
Benchmark 2A: Students know the organization and functions of local, state and national governments.
Benchmark 2B: Students know how power, authority, and responsibility are distributed, shared, and limited through federalism as established by the US Constitution.
Benchmark 2C: Students know and understand the place of law in the Colorado and US Constitutional systems.
Benchmark 2D: Students know how public policy is developed at the local, state, and national levels.
Civics 3: Students know the political relationship of the US and its citizens to other nations and to world affairs.
Benchmark 3A: Students know how and why governments and nongovernmental agencies around the world interact politically.
Benchmark 3B: Students understand how the US government develops foreign policy.
Benchmark 3C: Students understand the domestic and foreign policy influence the US has on other nations and how the actions of other influence politics and society of the US.
Civics 4: Students understand how citizens exercise the roles, rights, and responsibilities of participation in civic life at all levels.
Benchmark 4A: Students know what citizenship is.
Benchmark 4B: Students know how citizens can fulfill their responsibilities for preserving the constitutional republic.
Benchmark 4C: Students know how citizens can exercise their rights.
Benchmark 4D: Students know how citizens can participate in civic life.

D-11 Social Studies Indicators for Civics

Explain the purposes of government and their impact on individuals and society in the late 20th and beginning 21st century.
Analyze the six basic principles of US constitutional government.
Describe political theories and documents that influenced the development of the US Constitution.
Develop, evaluate, and defend positions based on conflicts involving Constitutional principles or the Bill of Rights.
Compare and contrast the structures and functions of local, state and national governments.
Describe the political spectrum and the role of political parties in the functioning of local, state and national governments.
Identify diplomatic strategies and give examples used by the United States government when interacting with other nations.
Identify strategies for influencing public policy

Government Conceptual Vocabulary

Visual Thesaurus - use the approved District 11 login and password to the right.

amendment
Bill of Rights
checks and balances
citizenship

democracy
due process
executive branch
federalism

government
judicial branch
law
legislative branch

majority
minority
politics
sovereignty

veto

Research confirms that students must have at least 6 opportunities through varied means to experience the same vocabulary before it can be applied. Here are 6 sample methods for teaching the vocabulary for this unit: These examples are endorsed by the Mid-Continental Research in Education Laboratory (MCREL) Six Step Strategy for Improving Vocabulary. Instead of looking at a dictionary first, follow the 6 steps to insure students have a full understanding. Read more about Research on Teaching Vocabulary.

Step 1: Teacher provides a description, explanation, or example of the term
Step 2: Student restates the description, explanation, or example in his/her own words
Step 3: Student designs a visual representation

Use the suggested Vocabulary Activities for Steps 4-6.

Step 4: Student completes activities that provide practice for using terms in writing
Step 5: Students review and discuss word meanings
Step 6: Students practice words with games

Sample Units

District 11 Diamond Units/Lessons Overview - includes information about the purpose, goals and structure of these sample instructional units:

There is a new informational video, 2010 Census: A New Portrait of America, explaining how communities benefit from Census Bureau data collection efforts. Testimonials describe the importance of a complete and accurate count and why the 2010 Census will be the most important count in our nation’s history. It shows data collection operations in action. View the Census Video.

Unit 1: Origins of United Stated Government
- describes the full range of political viewpoints regarding the role of government
The Power of Political Parties - describes the role of both major parties

Lesson 1:

Duration:
Standard:
District Indicator:
Enduring Understanding:
Essential Questions:
Assessment: