American Democracy: Challenges of Freedom Grade 11 A Common Core Unit By: Dean Berry, Ed. D Gregg Berry, B.A. Copyright Protected ©2013 Dean R Berry All Rights Reserved No part of this document may be reproduced without written permission from the author.

Teacher Instructions This program contains 8 major parts that may be presented over several weeks. Some parts may be considered optional based on the needs of each classroom. Press Pause to stop for discussion

This Unit includes 8 Major Learning Steps 1. View, Read, and Think 2. Interact, Brainstorm, and, Share 3. Research Project Number One 4. Research Project Number Two 5. Expand Your Depth of Knowledge 6. Prepare to Write an Essay 7. Present your Knowledge to Others 8. Final Unit Assessment Common Core Standards Listed in Video 7

Table of Contents Part One …..Slide Presentation Video 1 Part Two ……Collaboration Groups………………….Video 2 Part Three …Research Project One……………… …Video 2 Part Four….Research Project Two…………………. Video 3 Part Five. Depth of Knowledge Project Three….Video 4 Part Six… Write Your Essay………………………………Video 5 Part Seven.. Present Your Knowledge ……………Video 6 Part Eight Unit Assessment……………………………. Video 7 Common Core Standards Taught in This Unit Video 7

Introduction This unit of study will help you learn the following important common core curriculum standards.

Common Core Wring Standard Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

Text Types and Purposes Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence

Speaking and Listening Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly

Production and Distribution of Writing Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. Use technology, including the internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others.

Research Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question or solve a problem; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism

Take Notes As we proceed through this unit of study, you will need to take careful notes. The information you gather will be useful in completing research projects.

The Federal Government

Part One View, Read, and Think

Power to govern the United States is shared by three different branches of government.

3 branches of government

With 3 branches of government, the United States provides a check and balance system that keeps total power out of the hands of a few.

If one branch disagrees, roadblocks go up to require further evaluation of laws and to ensure fairness.

The president appoints Supreme Court Justices, but the Court can declare laws unconstitutional.

Each of the three branches have powers that the other branches do not have.

No one branch of government can have total power.

Class Discussion What might happen if our government concentrated all major powers in only one branch of government? Press Pause to Hold

Class Discussion Explain the concept of checks and balances in our system of government. Give examples. Press Pause to Hold

The Constitution of the United States is used as the final measure of whether or not a law is constitutional. Supreme Court decisions play a significant role in determining our laws.

The President heads the Executive branch of government.

As heads of the executive branch of government, former President Clinton and President Obama were both elected to serve the maximum two terms in office.

Class Discussion Does the President of the United States make our laws? Does the President of the United States make our laws? Does the President have any influence over the Supreme Court? Does the President have any influence over the Supreme Court? Does the President have any effect on how federal money is spent? Explain Does the President have any effect on how federal money is spent? Explain Press Pause to Hold Press Pause to Hold

Who helps the President carry out and implement the functions and services of the federal government? Let’s take a closer look.

Who is our Secretary of State? What is the primary function of the Secretary of State? Press Pause to Hold

Which body heads our judicial branch of government?

Class Discussion How many Supreme Court Justices do we have? Are the Justices elected? Explain Press Pause

The Supreme Court decides if laws agree with our constitutional rights.

Five or more justices can declare a law unconstitutional.

Class Discussion  Who makes our federal laws?  Who must approve bills before they can become a law. Press Pause

The third branch of the federal government is Congress.

Class Discussion Can you name the two bodies of congress? Can you name the two bodies of congress? What is the most important function of the United States Congress? What is the most important function of the United States Congress? Press Pause Press Pause

Class Discussion Is it easy to get laws passed in Congress? Explain Press Pause Press Pause

Ideas go through many steps before they can become laws.

State or federal law making starts with the introduction of a bill.

Law making starts in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. A total of 535 representatives of the people make the decisions. The Senate has 100 members, and the House of Representatives has 435 members.

Most work on legislation is done in committees. A bill spends many days in committee before it can be voted on by the House or Senate.

Along with the three branches of government, the U.S. divides powers between the individual states and the federal government in Washington, D.C.

Class Discussion Is it against federal law to rob a store and kill the cashier? Explain Is it against federal law to rob a store and kill the cashier? Explain Can a state make its own laws about how close airplanes can fly to each other? Can a state make its own laws about how close airplanes can fly to each other? Does the federal govern decide what is taught in our schools? Does the federal govern decide what is taught in our schools? Explain Explain Press Pause Press Pause

The United States has two major political parties that represent many opposing ideas about how to govern our country.

Class Discussion What is the difference between democrats and republicans? Make a list of the ideas that each party probably supports. Press Pause

Class Discussion Do all democrats agree? Do all democrats agree? Do all republicans agree? Do all republicans agree? Press Pause Press Pause

Whomever is elected must continue to protect the rights and freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution.

Class Discussion

Any American can express ideas freely through the internet.

Americans can publish ideas for the world to read.

Freedom of the press enables citizens to openly criticize their government.

A free public education encourages students to learn how to communicate their ideas effectively.

Earning freedoms under the Constitution has been a work in progress for the last 200 years for many citizens.

In our system of government, the majority of voters elect our representatives. However, the rights of the minority are always protected from the power of the majority.

No one can vote to take away your constitutional rights.

Should the majority have total power over individuals? What do you think?

Are you sure you want the majority to make all the decisions?

What do you think this means?

Check-up and Review Raise your green card if you believe the statement is true or your red card if you think it is false.

True or False-1 As the head of the executive branch of government, the President has the power to Veto proposed laws, enforce federal laws, and appoint Supreme Court Justices. Press Pause

True-1

True or False-2 The President’s Cabinet include the Secretary of Labor, Secretary of the Internet, and the Secretary of Student Affairs. Press Pause

False-2

True or False-3 The Supreme Court, whose members are appointed for life, decides if laws are constitutional. Press Pause

True-3

True or False-4 The President of the United States has the power to write all federal laws, set tax rates, and declare war. Press Pause

False-4

True or False-5 The states have the power to determine traffic laws and marriage laws but they share power with the federal government in the areas of gun control, environment, and prisons. Press Pause

True-5

True or False-6 Although the U.S. has a mostly two party system, third and fourth party candidates may qualify for the ballot and run against the larger parties. Press Pause

True-6

True or False-7 It is fair to say that most democrats support increasing taxes on the wealthy and most republicans support fewer public services offered by the government. Press Pause

True-7

True or False-8 The internet, twitter, cell phones, and cable TV are all freedoms of expression that are protected by the U.S. Constitution. Press Pause

True-8

True or False-9 In our country the majority rules and always decides what is best for all citizens. Press Pause

False-9

Federal Laws Test 1 1.Head of the executive branch of government 2.Highest level of the judicial branch of government 3.Part of the legislative branch of government 4.May introduce a bill to be considered as a possible law 5.A formal accusation in court 6.Ensures that a person ’ s civil rights are protected

Federal Laws Test 2 1.Examples of freedom of expression in a democracy 2.Traditional marriage 3.Enforces Federal Laws 4.Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State 5.Same sex marriage 6.Members interpret law as and are appointed for life