Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

12

Overview

This is a video from Khan Academy that provides an overview of the separation of powers and checks and balances.  This can be played as an introduction to a lesson on separation of powers or the three branches of government and checks and balances.  The video is 3 minutes and 58 seconds in length.

    Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 12 - United States Government

    SS10.USG.3

    Analyze major features of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights for purposes, organization, functions, and principles, including rule of law, federalism, limited government, popular sovereignty, judicial review, separation of powers, and checks and balances.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SS10.USG.3

    Vocabulary

    • rule of law
    • federalism
    • limited government
    • popular sovereignty
    • judicial review
    • separation of powers
    • checks and balances
    • ratification
    • Anti-Federalist
    • confederation
    • amending
    • Federalist
    • article of the Constitution

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Key principles of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights as well as their meaning.
    • Key arguments given by the Federalists and Anti-Federalists regarding the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
    • The Constitution is an evolving document through both formal and informal means.
    • The process by which an amendment can be added to the U.S. Constitution.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Outline the possible paths taken to ratify an amendment to the Constitution.
    • Interpret how constitutional principles are embedded in current and past issues in US history and politics.
    • Interpret primary documents from both Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
    • Analyze a given passage of the U.S. Constitution to identify how it relates to a key principle of American government.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Many key principles of the Constitution, including judicial review, federalism, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, rule of law, and popular sovereignty, are embedded in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights and that their meaning has been debated throughout U.S. history.
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Audio/Video

    Resource Provider

    Other

    Resource Provider other

    Khan Academy
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
    License

    License Type

    CUSTOM
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