CLAIM YOUR POWERS—TEXAS STYLE
Learning Objective: The students will
Analyze the relationships between the three branches of Texas government through
the separation of powers and the checks and balances system.
TEKS:
7.14 A; 7.15 A
Materials Needed:
Vocabulary:
Two signs for each group ("Claim" and "Do Not Claim"),
transparency of the situation page, appropriate portions of the
Texas Constitution
Bill, veto, law, unconstitutional, constitutional, amendments, session
Teaching Strategy:
1.
Divide the class into three groups. One group represents the executive, one
the legislative, and one the judicial branch of the Texas government. (If the
class is large, two groups may represent each branch.) Provide each group
with two signs: "Claim" and "Do Not Claim." Each branch will also need
copies of the appropriate parts of the Texas Constitution.
2.
Tell the class that in this activity they will be acting as a branch of Texas
government. It is their responsibilities to maintain the powers granted to
them and identify characteristics of their own branch of government.
3.
Tell the class that you will read a series of situations, each involving a power
or characteristic of one or more branches of the government. In some
instances, a branch will have the sole power; in other instances the power
may be shared. After each situation is read, each group will have one
minute to discuss the situation and decide if the power described belongs to
its branch. At the end of one minute, the teacher will say "vote" and each
group must hold up a sign, either "Claim" or "Do Not Claim." Every group
must vote on each situation. Each group will then explain the reasons for its
decision.
4.
Explain that scoring will be as follows:
• One point will be given for correctly claiming the power.
• One point will be given for correctly voting not to claim a power.
• A zero will be given to a group incorrectly claiming or not claiming a power.
5.
Assure the students that the activity will not be graded; rather, it will measure
students' understanding of the concept of separation of powers as outlined in
the Texas Constitution.
Extension for GT/AP:
Conduct a class survey to find out if there are any new laws students
would favor. Students should write a bill addressing that issue. They could
contact their local state congressional representatives to find out if any
similar legislation has ever been proposed. If so, what was the outcome?
TRANSPARENCY
CLAIM YOUR POWERS--TEXAS STYLE
CLAIM
DO NOT CLAIM
1.
Holds office for a two year term
2.
Can call a special session of the legislature
3.
Comes to Austin for sessions every two years
4.
Presided over by the lieutenant governor
5.
Approves governor’s appointments by two-thirds of the members
present
6.
Serves for a period of four years
7.
Approves amendments to the Texas Constitution by two-thirds vote
of its members
8. Has original jurisdiction in death penalty cases
9. Picks the secretary of state
10. Holds veto power
11. Commander-in-chief of the Texas National Guard
12. Represents Texas when Texas is being sued
13. Has eight associates and one chief
14. Begins all appropriations bills
15. Appoints people to fill vacancies in state and district offices
16. Some of its decisions are appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court
17. Works 140 days a session
18. Serves six year terms and must be a lawyer
19. Head officer is called the speaker
20. Salary is $7,200 per year
21. Secretary of State keeps and uses the seal of state in this branch
22. All bills must go to a committee
23. Has 31 members
24. Delivers the State of the State message.
25. Cannot hold any other office or job during their term in office.
ANSWER SHEET
CLAIM YOUR POWERS—TEXAS STYLE
CLAIM
DO NOT CLAIM
1.
Holds office for a two year term— LEGISLATIVE
2.
Can call a special session of the legislature—EXECUTIVE
3.
Comes to Austin for sessions every two years—LEGISLATIVE
4.
Presided over by the lieutenant governor—LEGISLATIVE
5.
Approves governor’s appointments by two-thirds of the members
present—LEGISLATIVE
6.
Serves for a period of four years—EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE,
JUDICIAL (Some judges have six-year terms)
7.
Approves amendments to the Texas Constitution by two-thirds of
members—LEGISLATIVE
8. Has original jurisdiction in death penalty cases—JUDICIAL
9. Picks the secretary of state—LEGISLATIVE
10. Holds veto power—EECUTIVE
11. Commander-in-chief of the Texas National Guard—EXECUTIVE
12. Represents Texas when Texas is being sued—EXECUTIVE
13. Has eight associates and one chief—JUDICIAL
14. Begins all appropriations bills—LEGISLATIVE
15. Appoints people to fill vacancies in state and district offices—EXECUTIVE
16. Some of its decisions are appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court—JUDICIAL
17. Works 140 days a session—LEGISLATIVE
18. Serves six year terms and must be a lawyer—(Some) JUDICIAL
19. Head officer is called the speaker—LEGISLATIVE
20. Salary is $7,200 per year—LEGISLATIVE
21. Secretary of state keeps and uses the seal of state in this branch—EXECUTIVE
22. All bills must go to a committee—LEGISLATIVE
23. Has 31 members—LEGISLATIVE
24. Delivers the State of the State message—EXECUTIVE
25. Cannot hold any other office or job during their term in office—EXECUTIVE
CLAIM
DO NOT
CLAIM