Public Schools of Robeson County
American History: The Founding Principals, Civics, and Economics
Unit 3: National, State, and Local Government
SOCIAL STUDIES
INSTRUCTIONAL ALIGNMENT
Essential Standard:
CE.C&G.2 Analyze government systems within the United States in terms of their structure, function and relationships.
CE.C&G.1 Analyze the foundation of American government in terms of principles and values.
CE.C&G.3 Analyze the legal system within the United States in terms of development, execution and protection of citizenship rights at all levels of
government.
CE.C&G.5 Analyze how political and legal systems within and outside of the United States provide a means to balance competing interests and resolve
conflicts.
Clarifying Objective(s):
1.4 Analyze the principles and ideals underlying American
democracy in terms of how they promote freedom (i.e.
separation of powers, rule of law, limited government,
democracy, consent of the governed / individual rights –
life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, self-government,
representative democracy, equal opportunity, equal
protection under the law, diversity, patriotism, etc.).
1.5 Evaluate the fundamental principles of American politics in
terms of the extent to which they have been used
effectively to maintain constitutional democracy in the
United States (e.g., rule of law, limited government,
democracy, consent of the governed, etc.).
2.1 Analyze the structures of national, state and local governments
in terms of ways they are organized to maintain order,
security, welfare of the public and the protection of citizens
(e.g., federalism, the three branches, court system,
jurisdictions, judicial process, agencies, etc.).
Essential Question(s):
1.4/1.5 What are the principles behind American Democracy and how they promote
freedom?
2.1 Why did America implement the federalists system of government?
2.1 What is the structure of the state, local and national governments?
2.2 What are the duties of the state and local governments?
2.3 What is a “living Constitution?”
2.3 What is the purpose of the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights?
2.3 How can the US Constitution be changed?
2.4 What are the principles of the United States and North Carolina Constitutions?
2.6 How do the different levels of government express their authority over citizens?
2.7 How are modern political conflicts similar to the issues debated by the
Federalists and Anti-Federalists?
2.7 In what ways have civil liberties been limited by the government during times of
crisis?
2.7 Should states have certain rights over the federal government?
3.1 Why was the 14th amendment added to the constitution?
3.1 & 2.3 How has additional amendments to the Constitution protected voting rights
of citizens?
3.2 How do bills become laws at the national, state and local levels?
Public Schools of Robeson County
2.2 Summarize the functions of North Carolina state and local
governments within the federal system of government (e.g.,
local charters, maintain a militia, pass ordinances and laws,
collect taxes, supervise elections, maintain highways, types
of local governments, etc.).
2.3 Evaluate the U.S. Constitution as a “living Constitution” in
terms of how the words in the Constitution and Bill of
Rights have been interpreted and applied throughout their
existence (e.g., precedents, rule of law, Stare decisis,
judicial review, supremacy, equal protections,
“establishment clause”, symbolic speech, due process, right
to privacy, etc.).
2.4 Compare the Constitutions and the structures of the United
States and North Carolina governments (e.g., the various
NC Constitutions, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Rights,
Preambles, the organization of, the powers of,
responsibilities, etc.).
2.6 Evaluate the authority federal, state and local governments
have over individuals’ rights and privileges (e.g., Bill of
Rights, Delegated Powers, Reserved Powers, Concurrent
Powers, Pardons, Writ of habeas corpus, Judicial Process,
states’ rights, Patriot Act, etc.).
3.1 Analyze how the rule of law establishes limits on both the
governed and those who govern while holding true to the
ideal of equal protection under the law (e.g., the Fourteenth
Amendments, Americans with Disabilities Act, equal
opportunity legislation).
3.2 Compare lawmaking processes of federal, state and local
American History: The Founding Principals, Civics, and Economics
5.3 Why do government agencies exist?
5.3 How is the Executive Branch structured in terms of cabinet departments,
executive agencies and other agencies?
5.3 How can you resolve conflicts without fighting?
5.4 Why does our government have a checks and balance system?
5.5 Why is foreign policy and domestic policy so important to understand?
5.5 What are the different uses of foreign policy and in what ways are they
implemented?
5.5 Why is globalization important to our well-being?
Public Schools of Robeson County
American History: The Founding Principals, Civics, and Economics
governments (e.g., committee system, legislative process,
bills, laws, veto, filibuster, cloture, proposition, etc.).
5.3 Analyze national, state and local government agencies in terms
of how they balance interests and resolve conflicts (e.g.,
FBI, SBI, DEA, CIA, National Guard Reserves,
magistrates, Better Business Bureau, IRS, Immigration and
Naturalization, FEMA, Homeland Security, ATF, etc.).
5.4 Explain how conflict between constitutional provisions and the
requirements of foreign policy are resolved (e.g., the power
of Congress to declare war and the need for the president to
make expeditious decisions in times of international
emergency, the power of the President to make treaties and
the need for the Senate to approve them).
5.5 Analyze the develops and implementation of domestic and
foreign policy by outlining opposing arguments on major
issues and their efforts toward resolutions (, e.g., health
care, education, immigration, regulation of business and
industry, foreign aid, intervention abroad, etc.).
Pacing Guide:
Unit of
Study
Development
of National,
state, and
local
Governments
Major Concepts
Instructional Task
Compromise
Checks and
Balances
Separation of
Powers
Laws
Government
Cultural Beliefs
2.01:
1. Define federalism
2. Define checks and
balances and separation of
powers
3. Break down the
structure of the U.S.
Constitution
Essential
Vocabulary
Pre:
Slave Trade
Compromise
Laws
Government
Cultural Beliefs
Instructional Resources
Text Resources:
Civics Today
Coach Book (green book)
ABC Book (light blue)
Digital Resources:
Sample Assessment
Prompts
1. Using Federalist 51, have
students write a essay
explaining why Madison
believes separation of
powers/checks and balances
are needed.
Public Schools of Robeson County
Religion
Popular
sovereignty
State government
Federalism
Rule of law
Local
government
14th Amendment
4. Differentiate between
the three branches of
federal government.
5. Examine/Evaluate the
relationships between each
branch of government.
6. Compare the principles
listed in the Preamble to
the principles found in the
NC Constitution.
2.02:
1. Define federalism
2. Distinguish between the
three branches of
government on the state
level.
3. Identify individuals of
the three branches of
government at the local
level.
4. Analyze different types
of taxes and their uses.
2.03:
1. Describe Marbury v.
Madison and the power of
judicial review.
2. Define precedent.
3. Explain and critique the
Elastic Clause, Supremacy
American History: The Founding Principals, Civics, and Economics
Religion
Current:
Enumerated
Powers
Checks and
Balances
Separation of
Powers
Marbury v.
Madison
Judicial Review
Articles of
Confederation
Court Cases
Trade
Mercantilism
Federalism
Scarcity
Need/Wants
Taxation
Laws
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
US Constitution
Amendments
State Constitution
Veto Power
Filibuster
www.teachingamericanhistory.org
www.billofrightsinstitute.org
www.loc.gov
www.whitehouse.gov
www.house.gov
www.senate.gov
www.oyez.org
www.supremecourt.gov
http://ncgov.com/
www.icivics.com
www.civics.org
2. Students will research for
pictures that represent each
amendment and put them on a
display.
Literary Connections:
4. Students will complete a
role-playing activity to
highlight the work of
Congress, the President, or
Supreme Court
Court Case Decisions
US Constitution
Bill of Rights
Articles of Confederation
Executive Orders
Current Events
3. Have students research
various landmark Supreme
Court cases and
research/prepare a
presentation describing the
“who, what, when, where,
why” of the cases.
5. Students will compose a
chart that highlights the three
branches of government on
the three levels of
government.
6. Students will write their
own “bill” and create a comic
strip that explains how the bill
becomes a “law”.
7. Have students read,
Public Schools of Robeson County
Clause, the Establishment
Clause, and the Equal
Protection Clause
4. Identify landmark
Supreme Court cases that
apply to major principles in
the Constitution.
2.05:
1. Define federalism
2. Define checks and
balances/separation of
powers
3. Identify confederation
and unitary forms of
government
4. Compare and contrast
parliamentary and
presidential systems of
government.
2.06:
1. Explain Enumerated,
Reserved, and Concurrent
Powers
2. Identify the Bill of
Rights
3. List congressional,
presidential, and judicial
powers.
4. Discuss Amendment
American History: The Founding Principals, Civics, and Economics
Judicial Review
Statutes
Governor
General assembly
Superior Courts
Supreme Court
District Court
Appellate Courts
Local Charters
Mayor/City
Council
Supremacy Clause
Rule of Law
Precedent
Bill of Rights
Introductory:
Administrative
Power
Landmark Court
Cases
Civil War
amendments.
Voting Rights
Amendments
analyze, and discuss the
merits of the War Powers Act.
8. Create a chart comparing
and contrasting various
domestic and foreign policy
issues.
9. Create a Venn Diagram
comparing and contrasting the
United States
Government/Branches of
Government to the North
Carolina
Government/Branches of
Government.
10. Research an executive
department and create your
own seal for that department.
11. Have students carry out a
moot court using a landmark
Supreme Court decision.
12. Students can complete
webquests for the executive,
judicial and legislative
branches through icivics.com.
13. Compare and contrast
how the National and state
Public Schools of Robeson County
10.
5. Evaluate the Patriot Act
and its impact on the
United States.
2.07:
1. Define public policy.
2. Defend and critique
arguments surrounding
immigration and
naturalization.
3. Define civil rights.
4. Explain and evaluate
different forms of
economic development
5. Compare and contrast
national security vs.
personal liberty.
1.4
1. Analyze the principles
of government
1.5
1. Evaluate the
effectiveness of the
principles of government
3.1:
1. Define rule of law
2. Define equal protection
under the law
American History: The Founding Principals, Civics, and Economics
governments relate to each
other with how state and local
governments relate to each
other.
Public Schools of Robeson County
3. Summarize the contents
of the 14th Amendment.
4. Evaluate the
effectiveness of the 14th
Amendment through
Supreme Court decisions
and acts of Congress.
3.2:
Explain the process for
how a bill becomes a law.
5.3:
1. Explain joint
jurisdiction for federal and
state agencies.
5.4:
1. Define foreign policy.
2. Define treaty.
3. Explain the War Powers
Act
4. Evaluate
Presidential/Congressional
actions under the War
Powers Act
5. Analyze the impact of
globalization.
5.5:
1. Identify various
domestic and foreign
American History: The Founding Principals, Civics, and Economics
Public Schools of Robeson County
policy issues and assess
arguments for each policy
issue.
American History: The Founding Principals, Civics, and Economics