American Government - Unit Plan

Title Of Unit: Subject/Course/Grade:

Political Institutions: Legislative & American Government - 12th Grade
Executive Branches
Dates of Unit: Designer(s):
October 5 - November 5 Victoria Nevens

Standards:
● 12.4 Students analyze the unique roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government as
● established by the U.S. Constitution.
● 12.4.1 Discuss Article I of the Constitution as it relates to the legislative branch, including eligibility for
office and lengths of terms of representatives and senators; election to office; the roles of the House and
Senate in impeachment proceedings; the role of the vice president; the enumerated legislative powers;
and the process by which a bill becomes a law.
● 12.4.4 Discuss Article II of the Constitution as it relates to the executive branch, including eligibility for
office and length of term, election to and removal from office, the oath of office, and the enumerated
executive powers.
● 12.7.3 Discuss reserved powers and concurrent powers of state governments.
● 12.7.6 Compare the processes of lawmaking at each of the three levels of government, including the role
of lobbying and the media.
● 12.7.8 Understand the scope of presidential power and decision making.

Big Idea or Concept: Essential Questions:

● An in-depth look into the legislative and
executive branches of government.
Students will understand…
● The functions of the legislative and executive
branches.
● The powers of Congress and the Presidency
granted in the Constitution
● The role of the Federal Bureaucracy
● The electoral college process
● How much power should a government have over
its citizens?
● Does the Legislative Branch have more power than
the other branches of government?
● How much power should the President have?
● Why divide power within the Executive Branch?
● What role does the Electoral College play when
electing the President?
Students will be able to …
● Analyze the powers of the legislative and
executive branches
● Think in terms of verbs or processes
Learning Activities:
Day 1:
➔ Political Institutions
◆ Current Events - CNN10
◆ Mini-Lecture:
● Three Branches Overview
◆ Activity:
● Read: Articles 1, 2, & 3 of the Constitution
● Complete: Powers of the Three Branches

Day 2:
➔ Legislative Process - How a Bill Becomes a Law
◆ Current Events - CNN10
◆ Legislative Branch Vocabulary
● Three Columns
○ 1st Column - Word
○ 2nd Column - Definition
○ 3rd Column - An Example
◆ Activity:
● Watch - How A Bill Becomes a Federal Law
● Students complete How A Bill Becomes a Federal Law FlowChart

Day 3:
➔ Legislative Process - Linking the Past to the Present (Day 1)
◆ Current Events - CNN10
◆ Watch - Congressional Committees
◆ Activity:
● In Groups:
○ Read & Annotate Veterans Affairs:
◆ Document 1
◆ Document 2
○ Read & Annotate Terrorism
◆ Document 1
◆ Document 2

Day 4:
➔ Legislative Process - Linking the Past to the Present (Day 2)
◆ Activity:
● Complete the Graphic Organizer:
○ Legislative Processes
◆ Watch:
● The West Wing - Access (Season 5, Episode 18)

Day 5:
➔ Introduction to Executive Branch - Presidential Powers
◆ Current Events - CNN10
◆ Watch:
● Presidential Power
◆ Mini-Lecture + Notes:
● Presidential Powers (Implied Powers)
◆ Executive Branch Vocabulary
 ● Digital Vocabulary Cards that include:
○ Word
○ Definition
○ Definition in your own words
○ A quote with the word
○ A picture that represents the word

Day 6:
➔ Presidential Powers - Executive Orders
◆ Current Events - CNN10
◆ Watch:
● Presidential Powers (Part 2)
◆ Mini Lecture + Notes:
● Presidential Notes (Inferred Powers)
◆ Watch:
● Executive Orders TEDed
◆ Activity:
● Padlet - Executive Order 9066

Day 7:
➔ Federal Bureaucracy (Day 1)
◆ Current Events - CNN10
◆ Watch:
● Bureaucracy Basics
◆ Mini-Lecture + Notes
● Federal Bureacracy

Day 8:
➔ Federal Bureaucracy (Day 2)
◆ Current Events - CNN10
◆ Watch:
● President Obama’s Statement on Keeping the Internet Open and Free
● John Oliver FCC & Net Neutrality (2014 & 2017)
◆ Activity
● Discussion Board about federal appointments

Day 9:
➔ Electoral College (Day 1)
◆ Current Events - CNN10
◆ Activity:
● Think. Pair. Share
○ What do you already know about the Electoral College
◆ Mini-Lecture + Notes
● Electoral College
○ Overview + Video
○ Who are the Electors? + Video
○ How Does it Work? + Video

Day 10:
➔ Electoral College (Day 2)
◆ Current Events - CNN10
 ◆ Mini-Lecture + Notes
● Electoral Notes
○ Alternatives to the “Winner Takes All System”
○ District System Example
○ National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
◆ Activity
● Individually
○ Complete the graphic organizer based on what was learned in class over the last
two days.
● Groups
○ Come to a consensus on what would be the best process when voting for the
President

Day 11:
➔ Unit Review Game: Team Jeopardy

Day 12:
➔ Unit Exam: Skill-Based Multiple Choice + Short Essay Response