1. Social Studies Grade 3 GSE Source Set
Unit 6: American Government Basics

2. Unit Essential Questions
What beliefs and ideals have shaped the way our government is organized?
What do we mean when we say we are a representative democracy/republic?
Why do we have three branches of government?
How do we become active citizens?
What beliefs and principles do Americans share? Why should we share them?

3. SS3CG1 Describe the elements of representative democracy/republic in the United States. a. Describe the three branches of national government: executive (president), legislative (Congress), and judicial (Supreme Court of the United States). b. Describe the three branches of state government: executive (governor), legislative (Georgia General Assembly), and judicial (Supreme Court of Georgia). c. State the main responsibility of each branch: executive (enforcing laws), legislative (making laws), judicial (determining if laws are fair).

4. SS3CG2 Explain the importance of Americans sharing certain central democratic beliefs and principles, both personal and civic. a. Explain the necessity of respecting the rights of others and promoting the common good. b. Explain the necessity of obeying reasonable laws/rules voluntarily, and explain why it is important for citizens in a democratic society to participate in public (civic) life (staying informed, voting, volunteering, and communicating with public officials).

5. Activity 1 – Ideas & Beliefs About Our Government
What beliefs and ideals have shaped the way our government is organized?
What do we mean when we say we are a representative democracy/republic?

6. U.S. Constitution, 1787, public domain

7. The Constitution tells how the government is organized.
It is 4 pages long and has 7 sections, or articles.

8. Direct democracy
Representative democracy

9. VVWA Chart - Vocabulary

10. Activity 2 – Things in Threes
Why do we have three branches of government?

12. Weblinks for activity 2
“Three Ring Government” lyrics -
Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government at
Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government: State governmenthttps://bensguide.gpo.gov/apprentice-federal- versus-state-government

13. 3 Branches sample icons

14. Activity 3 – Government at the State Level
How do the three branches of government at the state level compare and contrast with the federal government?

15. Weblinks for activity 3
Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government - government

18. Activity 4 – A Job Opportunity
What qualities does one need to work in one of the branches of government?

19. Classified Ad for government job
Choose from among these titles/leadership positions:
President
Governor
U.S. Senator or Representative
Georgia Senator or Representative
U.S. Supreme Court Judge
Georgia Supreme Court Judge

20. Activity 5 – Individual Rights and the Common Good
How do we become active citizens?
What beliefs and principles do Americans share? Why should we share them?

21. Individual Rights
The Common Good

22. Activity 6 – Good Citizens
How do we become active citizens?
What beliefs and principles do Americans share? Why should we share them?

23. Weblinks for Activity 6
Video: “America at Its Best: What It Means to Be an American Citizen,”

24. Collage directions of good citizenship in action
Work as a group or class
Cut out images
Capture photos
Draw images
Paste images in an attractively designed collage OR pin images on a class bulletin board.
emphasize images of people voting, staying informed, volunteering, communicating with public officials, etc.
Be able to explain the image(s) you contributed and how they provide evidence of good citizenship.

25. American Government Basics Unit - Culminating Activity
Creating an Infographic
Infographic: a visual presentation of information in the form of a chart, graph, or other image, with limited text. It is often used to give an overview of a complex system or context.

26. Sample infographics

27. Another sample

28. Include in your infographic:
DATA – numbers or basic facts
DESIGN – an attractive and visually exciting look
STORY – able to tell what you want it to about your topic
SHAREABILITY – designed to be shared either in hard copy or digitally or both

29. Infographic topics How Our Government is Organized
Same and Different: National and State Government
Individual Rights and the Common Good
What is a Good Citizen?
(your choice of topic, as long as the group can relate it to the Civics/Government standards for this unit and receive teacher approval)