7th and 8th grade Low Hanging Fruit
7 Principles of Government
Problems1. Students do not know the definition of each principle.
2. Students cannot use each principle in context.
3. Students do not know the processes.
Why students chose the wrong answer1. They could not use the information in context.
2. They saw a common word in both the question/diagram and in the wrong answer choices.
3. They did not read the diagram information correctly and the context clues.
Solution
1. Using Marzano’s strategies: Write the definition, draw it, rap or rhyme it, use it in context.
2. Connect the principles to the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Process
Materials
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4 sheets of blank typing paper.
Crayons, highlighters, or map pencils (markers will bleed through)
Black or blue ink pen or pencil
Small and regular size sticky notes. (two different colors)
Instructions (Model this for students)
1. Divide each piece of paper in half by drawing a big thick line across the middle. (You can
prepare this ahead of time by using the template provided.)
2. Write each principle across the top of each section of paper.
3. Give each student 7 small sticky notes and 7 regular size sticky notes.
Principle #1- Federalism
4. On a small sticky note, write the definition of Federalism- power is divided and shared
between different levels of government.
5. Ask students to repeat this chant: “Fed-er-a-lism is what we say, Shared and Divided Powers
in Richmond, Texas, USA.”
6. On a regular sized sticky note, have students write the chant word for word. (See example)
7. Draw one or two pictures to represent the definition. (See example of Federalism)
8. Show students where in the Constitution Federalism is applied. (10th Amendment)
9. Have them use the lower right hand corner to write where in the Constitution the principle
of Federalism is found.
10. Use this in context. On the back of the paper, have students explain how Federalism is
reflected in our society.
a. Example of Shared: Local, state, and federal law enforcement work together to
solve crimes and protect citizens.
b. Example of Divided: It is the federal (national) government’s responsibility to make
money (coin). States are not allowed to make (coin) their own money.
11. Use this process for the remaining principles following the examples given in the video.
Principles #2-10
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On a small sticky note, write the definition for this principle- (See video)
Ask students to repeat the chant. (See video)
On a regular sized sticky note, have students write the chant word for word. (See video)
Draw one or two pictures to represent the definition. (See video)
Show students where in the Constitution this principle is applied. (See video)
Have them use the lower right hand corner to write where in the Constitution this principle
is found. (See video)
7. Use this principle in context. On the back of the paper, have students explain how this
principle is reflected in our society. (See video)