American Government
Learning Module
- Creator(s):
This learning module is designed for 6th grade students as an introduction to the American government. The lessons outlined in this learning module explore basic concepts of the US government, such as Democracy, Citizenship, Laws, the Justice System, and others. Students should progress through the lessons to understand how the American government functions. This learning module would typically be part of any 6th grade Social Studies course.
The learning module will help students on their way to becoming informed and engaged citizens in the United States. They will be able to see how their government functions and how they can potentially make an impact.
No matter where you live, you belong to a community. Depending on where you reside, your community may be small in population and spread out over a large area, or, perhaps your community is densely populated in a small area. Regardless, everyone in this country belongs to the community of the United States.
The system that organizes the community of the United States, brings everyone together, and maintains law and order is called the government. Because it leads such a large community, the US government has many different functions and responsibilities. Three separate parts, or branches, are organized, each with their own responsibilities, such as creating laws, collecting taxes, and keeping the peace.
As a community, we rely on the government every single day. The laws that are in place to support everyone are created and enforced by the government. The police and firefighters that help and protect communities are provided by the government. Roads that people use to get from one place to another are often built and maintained by the government. Also, in many communities across the country, the government is responsible for setting up the school system to educate students.
The lessons in this learning module each focus on one aspect of the government, beginning with what a government actually is, and moving through concepts like citizenship, laws, and the Justice System. At the end of each lesson, there will be an opportunity for students to make a "Comment" and an "Update." A "Comment" is essentially a summary of each lesson that answers the Essential Questions, while an "Update" is designed for students to explore a topic further. These Comments and Updates should be made on the digital class community pages - provided by the teacher.
Final Project:
At the conclusion of the learning module, students will create a product that welcomes newcomers to the United States by informing them about the basics of the American government. This product can take many possible forms: Scholar Work, PowerPoint/Prezi, Video, Website, Podcast, Poster, Brochure, etc. The project will be explained more fully at the end of the learning module, when it can be completed.
Pre-Assessment
Before beginning the learning module, the teacher will distribute a Government Pre-Assessment Survey. This will determine how much you already know about the workings of the American Government, and what you can learn. Your answers on the Survey will then be used to help guide you through different aspects of the learning module.
Good luck!
This learning module, designed for 6th grade students, explores the basic concepts of the American government. It will guide the students through the idea of governments, the three branches of the American government, and how local governments differ from the national level. The goal is to help students gain an introductory understanding to the American government and how it functions. This should begin to get students to become informed and engaged citizens and help them learn how to participate in our government.
At the conclusion of each lesson in the learning module, students will be expected to make a "Comment" and an "Update" about the information in each lesson. A "Comment" is more of a summary of each section of the learning module that answers the Essential Questions, while an "Update" is further exploration on a particular aspect of each lesson of the learning module. These Comments and Updates should be made on the appropriate digital community pages - created and curated by the teacher. The Comments and Updates should be seen as class discussions in a digital setting. They can also be used as assessments by the teacher.
For this introduction lesson, there is no Comment or Update to be made. Instead, there is a link to a short Government Pre-Assessment Survey to be distributed. The quiz is only 6 short-answer questions, but it should serve as a guide for the teacher to see which students need to explore the entire learning module, and if there are any students that can enrich their knowledge of government with a few different resources.
Minnesota State Standards:
6.1.1.1.1: Democratic government depends on informed and engaged citizens who exhibit civic skills and values, practice civic discourse, vote and participate in elections, apply inquiry and analysis skills and take action to solve problems and shape public policy.
6.1.3.4.1: Individuals in a republic have rights, duties, and responsibilities
6.1.3.5.1: Citizenship and its rights and duties are established by law
6.1.4.6.1: The United States government has specific functions that are determined by the way that power is delegated and controlled among various bodies: the three levels (federal, state, local) and the three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) of government.
Final Project:
At the conclusion of the learning module, students will be expected to create a product that welcomes newcomers to the United States by informing them about the basics of the American government. This product can take many possible forms: Scholar Work, PowerPoint/Prezi, Video, Podcast, Website, Poster, Brochure, etc. The project will be explained more fully at the end of the learning module, when it can be completed.
Good luck!
In any community, a group of people needs to be responsible for those living in that community. They need to organize the society, set and enforce rules, and provide certain services. This is known as a goverment - a system by which a community is run.
Essential Questions:
How does a government function? What does a government look like? Does every system of government operate the same way?
The community you live in is basically a group of people who live in the same area. You reside in a community of a city or a town. You are also part of a state in the United States, meaning everyone in your state belongs to one whole community as well. However, everyone in the country is part of the large community of the United States of America. Regrdless of size, every community needs organization and rules. This is often provided by a government.
Read through/watch the materials below to better understand government and its forms:
There are many different kinds of government - Democracy, Communism, Dictatorship, Monarchy, Oligarchy, and more. Use the links to explore the different types of government.
Watch this short video to get further information:
For further information (if time):
Read about the different forms of government here in this overview about government.
Here's another short video explaining what a government can look like:
Comment: In your own words, explain the concept of government. Then, name and define at least three different forms it can take.
Update: Describe what you believe to be an ideal government. What type of leader would be in charge? Would there be more than one person/group? Why or why not? Explain how decisions would be made in your government and how a community would be able to stay organized.
This is Part 1 of the American Government Learning Module. It provides an introduction as to how to explain and define the term government itself. It also explores the different forms a government can take.
The teacher should begin by discussing the essential questions with students before they start their lesson. Students will be exploring the answers to these essential questions in this lesson. When students have completed the readings and the videos, they should be working on making their Comments and Updates in the digital spaces provided by the teacher. Topics of the Learning Module can be given to the class by clicking "Post Content to Community" in each section - this will post each lesson to the digital community page.
Pedagogy:
This particular lesson in the Learning Module begins by activating students' prior knowledge regarding their understanding of communities and government (Experiencing the Known) and then introducing them to new information (Experiencing the New). Students will then be Conceptualizing by Naming and Analyzing Critically in regards to the different types of government around the world.
Minnesota State Standards:
6.1.1.1.1: Democratic government depends on informed and engaged citizens who exhibit civic skills and values, practice civic discourse, vote and participate in elections, apply inquiry and analysis skills and take action to solve problems and shape public policy.
6.1.3.4.1: Individuals in a republic have rights, duties, and responsibilities
Supplemental Information:
If the teacher is looking for further information on a particular topic, here are a few more resources that can be explored for potential further explanation to students.
- What is a government? Dictionary, Britannica, Wikipedia
- Explanations of different types of government: Scholastic, LiveScience, Wikipedia
- A couple short videos about government:
In the United States, we have a type of government known as a Democratic Republic - a system where people elect (through voting) leaders to represent them in the government. These representatives then work together to make decisions for the community at large. While this type of government is often times referred to as a Representative Democracy, the United States is a Republic due to the explanations in the US Constitution and the rules and limits placed on the government.
Essential Questions:
How is America's government different from other types of government? Why isn't the United States considered a true democracy?
The United States is often referred to as a Democracy because people vote in elections. However, that is not truly the case. The United States government is actually a Democratic Republic, a system where leaders are elected as representatives. While the United States uses a democratic system to elect leaders, there are rules in place as to how the government should run (outlined in the US Constitution), which actually makes the United States a Republic.
Read through/watch the materials below to better understand a Democracy and how it contrasts to a Democratic Republic:
Read about what a democracy is: here, here, and here
Read about a Democracy vs a Republic
Read and explore about the US Constitution, and watch a short video about it
Watch this short video about the Constitution:
Here's another short video showing how our government system works:
Comment: Assess when a true democracy would be better than a republic model of government. When does a republic government make more sense than a true democracy?
Update: Choose a form of government that was listed in the previous lesson (except Democracy). Compare that model with that of the United States government. Assess when the United States government works better for the community and determine if there are any situations where maybe this different form of government would be more ideal for the United States community.
This is Part 2 of the Learning Module. Here, students are exploring the concept of the American government: a Democratic Republic. It is important to highlight the differences between a Democracy and a Republic. There are many people who believe the United States to be a Democracy, but that is not the case. Students should be able to understand how and why we have representatives in this country.
Begin with a class discussion regarding the previous lesson (What is Government?). Use the Comments and Updates from the students for the conversation (as well as for assessment). Following the discussion, students can begin working on lesson 2 - exploring a Democratic Republic. When students have completed the exploration of the topic, they can then make their Comments and Updates in the digital class community.
Pedagogy:
Students will be exploring their understandings of the American government (Experiencing the Known) as well as learning new information regarding a Democratic Republic (Experiencing the New). Students will also be Analyzing Functionally and Critically when it comes to determining the differences between a Democracy and Republic, as well as exploring the idea of a true democracy in their Updates.
Minnesota State Standards:
6.1.1.1.1: Democratic government depends on informed and engaged citizens who exhibit civic skills and values, practice civic discourse, vote and participate in elections, apply inquiry and analysis skills and take action to solve problems and shape public policy.
6.1.4.6.1: The United States government has specific functions that are determined by the way that power is delegated and controlled among various bodies: the three levels (federal, state, local) and the three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) of government.
Supplemental Information:
If the teacher is looking for further information on a particular topic, here are a few more resources that can be explored for potential further explanation to students.
- What is a Democracy? Stanford, USHistory, Wikipedia
- What is a Democratic Republic? Fact/Myth, Washington Post, Wikipedia
- A couple short videos on Democracy vs Republic:
In order to have an effective government, the United States relies on people participating in the process throughout their communities. Individuals can run for government office, petition the government, vote in elections, or take part in civic discussions and/or inquiry. However, not everyone who lives in the community of the United States is allowed to participate in these processes. Instead, only those who are citizens can be involved in the government process.
Essential Questions:
What is a citizen? How does a person become a citizen? What are the benefits of being a citizen?
In the United States, and in most other countries, in order to participate in the government, an individual must be a citizen - a person born or naturalized in a country, who is entitled to certain rights and benefits in that country.
Read through/watch the materials below to gain a better understanding of citizenship in the United States:
In order to be a citizen in the United States, there are a few different possibilties. Explore the different possibilities.
Here is the information on how to become naturalized from the US Government
Read about the benefits of being a US citizen.
Watch this video from the US Government on how to become naturalized in the US:
Comment: Explain the process of how a person who is not born in the United States can become a citizen. Why would a person potentially want to become a citizen of the United States?
Update: CHOOSE ONE:
- Is it possible to be a citizen of more than one country at the same time? What would be the benefits of this? Choose a different country around the world. Explore their naturalization process and the benefits of being a citizen in that country. Would you want to be a citizen there? Why or why not?
- Are you or do you know someone who is a citizen of another country, but lives in the United States? Explain their story - where you/they are from, how and why did you/they come to the US, what are your/their thoughts about the United States?
This is Part 3 of the Learning Module. Here, students are exploring how to become a citzen of the United States and what the potential benefits could be. Many times, there are students who know someone who was not a citizen of the United States, so the potential for connections amongst students is high.
Use the Comments and Updates from the previous lesson (What is a Democratic Republic?) to bridge the connection between government and citizenship. Following the class discussion (and possible assessment), students can work through Lesson 3 and post their Comments and Updates in the digital class community.
Pedagogy:
Some students will know some of this information already given family background, so there will be some Experiencing the Known, but for many others, this is brand new information for them (Experiencing the New). Students will also be Analyzing Functionally when they are exploring the benefits of becoming a citizen and in their Updates.
Minnesota State Standards:
6.1.1.1.1: Democratic government depends on informed and engaged citizens who exhibit civic skills and values, practice civic discourse, vote and participate in elections, apply inquiry and analysis skills and take action to solve problems and shape public policy.
6.1.3.4.1: Individuals in a republic have rights, duties, and responsibilities
6.1.3.5.1: Citizenship and its rights and duties are established by law
Supplemental Information:
- US Government information about citizenship; Wikipedia page
- How to apply for Citizenship
- Civics Test Questions:
The American government is designed to run the community of the United States with a concept called separation of powers - the idea that different roles and repsonsibilites are split up in individual parts of the government, what we generally call branches.
In the US, there are three separate branches of government: the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch. Each of these parts of the government have different roles in running the country.
Essential Questions:
What are the responsibilites for each branch of government? Why are there three branches? How do these branches work together to run the country?
In 1787, when the US Constitution was being written, many of the Founding Fathers strongly believed in the idea of separation of powers. Many of them had just fought a war in an attempt to get rid of a government that was led by one powerful figure (a king). By separating responsibilities, they believed that no one person or group in the government could become too powerful. In the Constitution, they made it their goal to eliminate the possibility of one part of the government ever becoming dominant over the people by giving the government three parts, or branches.
Read through/watch the materials below to gain an understanding of the three branches of the American government:
Read about the three branches of government: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
Watch these short videos on the three branches of the government:
For further information (if time):
Find out the three branches work together to run the government
Comment: Describe each of the three branches of government - what are the responsibilities of each branch? How do they work together to run the government?
Update: Choose another country from around the world that has these separation of powers. Compare and contrast that government with the functions and responsibilities of the American government. Do their branches of government provide the same services as the US? How are they different?
This is Part 4 of the Learning Module. Here, students begin to explore a basic concept of the American government: the three branches - Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.
Begin with a class discussion about the previous lesson (What is a Citizen?). Use the Comments and Updates to drive the conversation. From there, explain that as citizens, people can participate in one of the three parts, or branches, of the American government. Have students explore the material in this lesson and then complete their Comments and Updates in the digital class community.
Pedagogy:
Students will more than likely already have a cursory understanding of at least the names of the three branches of government (Experiencing the Known), but there is a lot of information presented here that many will not have seen before (Experiencing the New). They will then be Analyzing Critically through their Updates about other countries and their governments.
Minnesota State Standards:
6.1.1.1.1: Democratic government depends on informed and engaged citizens who exhibit civic skills and values, practice civic discourse, vote and participate in elections, apply inquiry and analysis skills and take action to solve problems and shape public policy.
6.1.4.6.1: The United States government has specific functions that are determined by the way that power is delegated and controlled among various bodies: the three levels (federal, state, local) and the three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) of government.
Supplemental Information:
- Three Branches of Government: Truman Library, History, Wikipedia
- Videos on the Three Branches:
The American government's primary role is that of protection. The main way that this gets accomplished is through the use of laws. However, because there are three branches of government, laws are difficult to not only create and pass, but also to maintain throughout a long time.
The three branches of government work together to pass laws and help move the country forward. The Legislative Branch generally begins the process by writing what are called Bills. The bills are then voted on, and if they pass the Legislative Branch, the bills are then sent to the Executive Branch. If the Executive Branch approves the bill, they will sign it and turn it into a law. The Judicial Branch then reviews the law to determine if it fits with the US Constitution.
Essential Questions:
How does the process of turning a bill into a law generally work? What happens if one branch does not approve of a law?
All three branches of the American government work together to run the country. Each of the three branches has their own responsibilities. In order to keep things moving in the country, laws are created to help maintain order. However, the process of creating (and keeping) a law is difficult in the United States.
Read through/watch the materials below to gain an understanding of how a bill becomes a law:
Read about the three branches and how laws are created here, here, and here.
Read about the system of Checks and Balances here and here.
Watch these short videos about how laws are made:
For further information (if time):
Read how the US Government explains how laws are made
Comment: Explain how a bill becomes a law. How does each branch contribute to creating a law?
Update: Find an important law created in the United States sometime in the last 50 years. Explore why the law was made, and assess whether or not it has helped the United States community.
This is Part 5 of the Learning Module. Here, students are exploring the process of how a bill becomes a law in the United States - not an easy process.
Begin with a class discussion regarding the previous lesson (The Three Branches of Government) to activate schema for the students. Use the Comments and Updates to drive the discussion. Then, transition to one of the main functions of the government - creating laws. When students have completed their exploration of the material, have them post their Comments and Updates in the digital class community.
Pedagogy:
For this lesson, students will be learning new information (Experiencing the New) and then Conceptualizing by Naming through their work. Students will also be Analyzing Functionally through their Updates about laws in the US.
Minnesota State Standards:
6.1.1.1.1: Democratic government depends on informed and engaged citizens who exhibit civic skills and values, practice civic discourse, vote and participate in elections, apply inquiry and analysis skills and take action to solve problems and shape public policy.
6.1.3.5.1: Citizenship and its rights and duties are established by law
6.1.4.6.1: The United States government has specific functions that are determined by the way that power is delegated and controlled among various bodies: the three levels (federal, state, local) and the three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) of government.
Supplemental Information:
- How a Bill becomes a Law: VoteSmart, DCCouncil, Scholastic
- Videos about how a Bill becomes a Law:
In the United States, sometimes people do not always follow the laws in their communities. When this happens, they are often referred to the Justice System - a system that settles legal disputes and imposes consequences on those who break the law.
Law in the United States is generally split into two categories: Civil Law - laws that deal with legal disputes; and Criminal Law - laws that deal with people who commit crimes (break laws). When these types of law come into play, people are generally in the courts in the United States.
While these laws apply to all people in the United States, there is also a separate system for those who are under the age of 18 years old. This system, known as the Juvenile Justice System, applies different consequences to minors.
Essential Questions:
How does the Justice System work? What are the major differences between Civil and Criminal law? What is the Juvenile Justice System and how does it work?
The Judicial Branch in the United States primarily interprets laws to see if they fit in with the US Constitution. However, the Judicial Branch is also responsible for operating the Court System in the United States, which can determine who is right in regards to a legal dispute, or impose consequences on lawbreakers.
Read through/watch the materials below to gain an understanding about the Justice System in the United States:
Read about the US Court System here, here, and here
Read about Civil Law here and here
Read about Criminal Law
Read about the Juvenile Justice System here and here
Watch this short video about the US Court System:
Watch this short video on Civil vs Criminal Law:
Comment: CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
- Explain the differences between Civil and Criminal Law. When would each type of law need to be applied?
- Explain how the Juvenile Justice System works. Why is there a separate system for juveniles?
Update: Explain what an appeal is for a court case and how an appeal works in the United States court system. How would a case get all the way to the Supreme Court? Choose a case that made it all the way to the Supreme Court. Briefly describe the case and its impact on laws in the United States.
This is Part 6 of the Learning Module. Here, students are exploring the Judicial Branch of the United States government. There are many aspects to this branch. Not only will students have to be able to describe the basic functions of the Justice System, they should also be able to determine the difference between Civil and Criminal Law, and explain the concept of the Juvenile Justice System.
Begin with a class discussion from the previous lesson (How a Bill Becomes a Law) using the Comments and Updates for the conversation. Transition over to what happens to those who do not follow the laws in the United States and how the Justice System is set up to deal with problems like that. When students are done exploring the material, they should post their Comments and Updates in the digital class community.
Pedagogy:
Students will be learning a lot of new information in this lesson (Experiencing the New). Along with that, students will be Conceptualizing by Naming as well in their research. They will also be Applying Appropriately when it comes to their Updates about the appeals process in the United States Courts.
Minnesota State Standards:
6.1.1.1.1: Democratic government depends on informed and engaged citizens who exhibit civic skills and values, practice civic discourse, vote and participate in elections, apply inquiry and analysis skills and take action to solve problems and shape public policy.
6.1.3.4.1: Individuals in a republic have rights, duties, and responsibilities
6.1.3.5.1: Citizenship and its rights and duties are established by law
6.1.4.6.1: The United States government has specific functions that are determined by the way that power is delegated and controlled among various bodies: the three levels (federal, state, local) and the three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) of government.
Supplemental Information:
- The Judicial Branch of Government: 3Branches, Minnesota, WhiteHouse
- Civil Law vs Criminl Law: Britannica, Diffen, Rasmussen
- Juvenile Justice System: Cornell, USLegal
- Videos about the Justice System:
Along with the national federal government that runs the whole country, the United States also is divided into many different levels of smaller, local governments. For example, each state in the United States has its own government, with a governor in charge of the Executive Branch in that state. Each state is then divided into several counties - each with its own government, run by county commissioners. Each city in the United States also has its own level of government, usually run by a Mayor.
Essential Questions:
What do each of these levels of government provide for people? What are the responsibilities of each level of government?
In the United States, it takes more than just a national government to be able to run the entire community. Geographically, the country is divided into 50 states, each with its own counties, cities, and towns. In each of these communities, there exists a government to help organize everything. This means that there are several levels of smaller local governments working under the federal government. Each level of government has its own functions, services, and responsibilities.
Read through/watch the materials below to gain an understanding about the different levels of local governments:
Read about state governments
Read about local governments here and here
Watch this short video about local governments:
Here's a second video about local governments:
For further information (if time):
Read an example about county governments (Manatee County, FL)
Read about city governments
Comment: Explain the different levels of local governments in the United States and the services each one provides for the people. Create a diagram that compares the different levels of local governments.
Update: Choose a city/town in your state. Describe in what county that community is located. Who is in charge of the city/town? When were they elected? When are they up for re-election? Who is in charge of the County government? When were they elected? When are they up for re-election? Name one rule/law/ordnance that has been passed by both the city/town and the county in the past year. Why was this rule/law/ordnance created?
This is part 7 of the Learning Module, and the final concept that students will be exploring. Here, the idea of local governments is delivered. This can be complicated for some students, so some explanation will most likely be required.
Begin with a discussion from the previous lesson (The Justice System) using the Comments and Updates for the conversation. From there, transition to how the government operates slightly differently depending on where the government is located and what community it is supposed to be organizing. Have students explore the materials and then post their Comments and Updates in the digital class community.
Pedagogy:
Students will again be learning new information (Experiencing the New), and Conceptualizing by Naming when it comes to their Comments regarding local governments. They will also be Applying Appropriately through their Updates about local governments in their own communities.
Minnesota State Standards:
6.1.1.1.1: Democratic government depends on informed and engaged citizens who exhibit civic skills and values, practice civic discourse, vote and participate in elections, apply inquiry and analysis skills and take action to solve problems and shape public policy.
6.1.4.6.1: The United States government has specific functions that are determined by the way that power is delegated and controlled among various bodies: the three levels (federal, state, local) and the three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) of government.
Supplemental Information:
- Local governments: Wikipedia, WhiteHouse
- Videos about local governments:
Final Project: Welcome to the United States! Becoming an Informed Citizen
Hundreds of thousands of people move to the United States every year. Many of them are unfamiliar with how the US Government system works. With your knowledge understanding of the American government system, you have the abilty to help these newcomers out.
Final Project: Welcome to the United States! Becoming an Informed Citizen
Since the United States depends on informed and engaged citizens, as your Final Project it will be your job to provide people with the information necessary to participate in the government process. You will create a product for newcomers to the United States that teaches them about the American government system. The teacher will distribute the directions and project for you.
Good luck!
This is the Final Project for the Learning Module. Students will be applying all of their knowledge from the lessons in this Learning Module to create a product that can potentially help a newcomer learn about the American government system.
The product created by the students can take just about any form they can come up with and can be targeted at more than one possible audience. Because the students who completed this Learning Module are now informed and (hopefully) engaged citizens in the government, they can transfer that information to newcomers and help them to become informed and engaged themselves.
Pedagogy:
Here, students will be using their previous knowledge (Experiencing the Known) and Applying Functionally and Critically to create a product to help newcomers to the United States.
Minnesota State Standards:
6.1.1.1.1: Democratic government depends on informed and engaged citizens who exhibit civic skills and values, practice civic discourse, vote and participate in elections, apply inquiry and analysis skills and take action to solve problems and shape public policy.
6.1.3.4.1: Individuals in a republic have rights, duties, and responsibilities
6.1.3.5.1: Citizenship and its rights and duties are established by law
6.1.4.6.1: The United States government has specific functions that are determined by the way that power is delegated and controlled among various bodies: the three levels (federal, state, local) and the three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) of government.
Final Project:
Assign the Final Project: Welcome to the United States! Monitor student progress, feedback, reviews, and drafts.