Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

We the People

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

3, 5

Overview

The president of the United States is among the most powerful political figures in the world. In the international realm, the president speaks for the country and is the symbol of America. At home, the president suggests the policy agenda for Congress and is the leader of his or her political party. Americans look to the president for leadership, while at the same time fearing the concentration of political power in the executive branch. Each of these activities introduces students to the executive branch and explores the ways that checks and balances limit presidential power.

    Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 3

    SS10.3.10

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

    Unpacked Content

    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.

    Unpacked Content

    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.
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Learning Activity

    Resource Provider

    Other

    Resource Provider other

    Center for Civic Education
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Text Resources: Content is organized under headings and subheadings
    License

    License Type

    CUSTOM
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