Unit 1 – Our Government Review
Unit 1 District Assessment covers the following standards. We highlighted all the notes to be reviewed in your child’s notebook. In addition to reviewing the highlighted notes, your child should know the steps a Bill must go through to become a law and I have listed them below. Your child will also have to answer 4 essay questions, also listed below.
All of the district assessments are taken on the Chromebooks.
Standards covered:
| Standard | Points |
| GLAHSCE.SOC.4.4 – C1.0.2 » Grade Four » Social Studies » Grade Level and High School Content ExpectationsExplain probable consequences of an absence of government and of rules and laws. | 6 |
| GLAHSCE.SOC.4.4 – C2.0.1 » Grade Four » Social Studies » Grade Level and High School Content ExpectationsExplain how the principles of popular sovereignty, rule of law, checks and balances, separation of powers, and individual rights (e.g., freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of press) serve to limit the powers of the federal government as reflected in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. | 4 |
| GLAHSCE.SOC.4.4 – C3.0.2 » Grade Four » Social Studies » Grade Level and High School Content ExpectationsGive examples of powers granted to the federal government (e.g., coining of money, declaring war) and those reserved for the states (e.g., driver’s license, marriage license). | 3 |
| GLAHSCE.SOC.4.4 – C3.0.3 » Grade Four » Social Studies » Grade Level and High School Content ExpectationsDescribe the organizational structure of the federal government in the United States (legislative, executive, and judicial branches). | 2 |
| GLAHSCE.SOC.4.4 – C3.0.4 » Grade Four » Social Studies » Grade Level and High School Content ExpectationsDescribe how the powers of the federal government are separated among the branches. | 3 |
| GLAHSCE.SOC.4.4 – C3.0.5 » Grade Four » Social Studies » Grade Level and High School Content ExpectationsGive examples of how the system of checks and balances limits the power of the federal government (e.g., presidential veto of legislation, courts declaring a law unconstitutional, congressional approval of judicial appointments). | 4 |
| GLAHSCE.SOC.5.5 Â U3.3.6 » Grade Five » Social Studies » Grade Level and High School Content ExpectationsDescribe the principle of federalism and how it is expressed through the sharing and distribution of power as stated in the Constitution (e.g., enumerated and reserved powers). |
Steps to become a law:
- Someone has an idea and a bill is written
- The bill goes to a committee that discusses it. They keep it the same or make changes
- Congress (The Senate and The House of Representatives) Debates the bill and votes
- Presidential Action: the President signs the bill or vetoes it
Essays:
Why did the authors of the Constitution want to limit the power given to any one branch of the government? Describe the reasons for this and provide an example of what might happen if they had not done this. (worth 3 points) Helpful Link
Why might it be difficult to travel in the US if each state had its own laws, money, and military? Explain your thinking by providing at least TWO reasons. (2 points)
Why is it important for our country to have a constitution? Explain TWO reasons how the citizens of the US benefit from our constitution. (3 points)
What is the process for a bill to become a law. Identify four steps in this process and describe each. (3 points)