Classroom Resource

Power Play

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

7, 10, 12

Overview

In this interactive game from iCivics, students will learn how to win power for state or federal government as they coach a team of players to develop persuasive arguments toward their side. Weaker arguments will make a player fall or even move the power toward the other side. This game can be played during a lesson on powers of state and local governments for reinforcement or after as an assessment. It can be played in a whole group or individually.

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Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 7 - 7th Grade: Civics

SS10.7C.5

Compare duties and functions of members of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Alabama’s local and state governments and of the national government. (Alabama)

Unpacked Content

UP:SS10.7C.5

Vocabulary

  • branches: executive, legislative, judicial
  • duties
  • functions
  • organization
  • jurisdiction
  • federal
  • districts
  • separation of powers
  • checks and balances

Knowledge

Students know:
  • The functions of each of the three branches of the Federal Government and the three branches of Alabama's government.
  • The functions of the local government.
  • The organizational structure of local, state and Federal Courts.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Locate state and federal political districts and geographic districts in Alabama on a map.
  • Cite evidence in primary source documents to support important concepts of American Government.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • The structure of government at the federal and state level and the unique duties and functions of each are set forth by the U.S. and Alabama Constitutions.
    Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 10 - United States History I

    SS10.US1.4

    Describe the political system of the United States based on the Constitution of the United States. [A.1.a., A.1.b., A.1.d., A.1.g., A.1.i.]

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SS10.US1.4

    Vocabulary

    • political system
    • elements
    • distinguishing
    • ideologies
    • conflicting

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • The inadequacies of Articles of Confederation and how these lead to the writing of the Constitution.
    • Personalities, issues, ideologies, and compromises related to the Constitutional Convention and the ratification of the Constitution of the United States.
    • The purpose and effects of the Federalist Papers.
    • Details of the political system of the United States based on the Constitution of the United States.
    • How to interpret the Preamble to the Constitution.
    • The purpose of the separation of powers and how this works in the U.S. federal system.
    • The meaning and purpose of the elastic clause.
    • The purpose of the Bill of Rights and the effects of these amendments.
    • Factors leading to the development and establishment of political parties, including Alexander Hamilton's economic policies, conflicting views of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, George Washington's Farewell Address, and the election of 1800.
    • The reasons for and effects of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Nineteenth Amendments.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Analyze and describe the political system of the United States based on the Constitution of the United States by giving a verbal or written account with characteristics of the political system.
    • Interpret the Preamble of the Constitution, separation of powers, federal system; elastic clause, the Bill of Rights; and the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Nineteenth Amendments by examining these parts.
    • Describe the inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation by giving a verbal or written account of the weaknesses.
    • Distinguish personalities, ideas, issues, ideologies and compromises related to the Constitutional by highlighting these differences.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • The Constitution replaced a weak Articles of Confederation and provides the basis for governing the United States.
    Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 12 - United States Government

    SS10.USG.4

    Explain how the federal system of the United States divides powers between national and state governments. (Alabama)

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SS10.USG.4

    Vocabulary

    • enumerated power
    • concurrent power
    • reserved power
    • implied power
    • Elastic Clause
    • federalism
    • cooperative federalism
    • dual federalism
    • fiscal federalism
    • block grant
    • categorical grant
    • formula grant
    • project grant
    • unfunded mandate
    • 10th Amendment

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Which powers are given to the state and federal governments.
    • The relationship between state and federal governments in their policy-making goals.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Categorize a power as it applies to a specific level of government.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • The federal system of government utilized by the United States provides both benefits and responsibilities to the states and federal government by dividing powers between the two levels of government.
    Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 12 - United States Government

    SS10.USG.5

    Compare specific functions, organizations, and purposes of local and state governments, including implementing fiscal and monetary policies, ensuring personal security, and regulating transportation. (Alabama)

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SS10.USG.5

    Vocabulary

    • home rule
    • local funding
    • campaign funding
    • special interest group
    • lobbying
    • fiscal policy
    • monetary policy
    • city council
    • county commission
    • mayor

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Key features and concepts of the Alabama 1901 Constitution.
    • Differences between monetary and fiscal policy as well as how these differ between state and local levels, including differences amongst localities.
    • Purposes and functions of special interest groups.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Compare state and local governments on a given characteristic in how they relate to one another in the state of Alabama.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • The similarities and differences in the roles and powers of local and state governments using the Alabama Constitution of 1901 illustrate the impact of such on local funding, campaign funding, and the role of special interest groups.
    Link to Resource
    https://www.icivics.org/node/407729/resource?referer=curriculum/play/all&page_t…

    CR Resource Type

    Interactive/Game

    Resource Provider

    iCivics
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Audio resources: includes a transcript or subtitles
    Graphics: includes alt tags or long descriptions
    Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
    License

    License Type

    Custom

    Custom License Type (URL)

    https://www.icivics.org/terms-use

    Comments or Notes

    iCivics is a free resource for teachers. Teachers can register for a free account to access additional resources. They can create a class to assign resources to students.

    Approved Date

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