Separation of Powers/Civics 101

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

3, 5, 7

Overview

In this video from PBSLearningMedia, students learn about the constitution. To protect the rights of the people—the Constitution says it takes three parts of the government to make or change a law or make other important decisions. This separation of powers is the process by which states govern. The state's government is divided into branches, each with separate, independent powers and responsibilities so that the powers of one branch are not in conflict with other branches. They serve as checks and balances to each other.

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 3

SS10.3.10

Recognize functions of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.

UP:SS10.3.10

Vocabulary

  • identify
  • human environment
  • physical environment
  • compare
  • physical features
  • regions of the United States
  • recognize benefits
  • recreation
  • tourism
  • state parks
  • national parks

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Difference between human and physical environments the physical regions of the United States and the features of each.
  • Affects of environment on human behavior and ways of life.
  • Positive and negative affects of humans on the environment.
  • Examples of types of tourism and recreation and the affects of each, including state and national parks.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • List examples of the ways human and physical environments affect people and the ways they live.
  • Differentiate between regions of the United States based upon their physical features.
  • Differentiate between positive and negative effects that people have on the environment.
  • Explain the benefits of recreation and tourism, including at state and national parks.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are various ways that people are affected by their human and physical environments, as well as the effects, both positive and negative, that humans have on the environment.
Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 5

SS10.5.9

Explain how inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation led to the creation and eventual ratification of the Constitution of the United States.

UP:SS10.5.9

Vocabulary

  • inadequacies
  • Article of Confederation
  • ratification
  • limitations
  • factions
  • Federalist
  • Anti-Federalist
  • republic
  • powers
  • principles

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation and the impact these had on the creation of the Constitution of the United States.
  • The duties and powers of the three branches of government.
  • The supporters and oppositions of the constitution.
  • The main principles of the bill of rights.
  • The impact of George Washington as president in a republic.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Analyze and describe the impact of government documents.
  • Describe and provide examples of major ideas, concepts, and limitations of the Constitution including the duties and powers of the three branches of government.
  • Compare and contrast the positions of various groups involved in historic events, such as the writing of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
  • Analyze primary source documents.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • The Articles of Confederation and influential groups and individuals played a role in the development of the United States Constitution.
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)

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.

    CR Resource Type

    Audio/Video

    Resource Provider

    PBS

    License Type

    CUSTOM

    Accessibility

    Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
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