Government Unit 3

Big Idea:

Understands the roles played by individuals, political parties, interest groups, and the media in the U.S. political system.

Student Expectations:

Priority TEKS

GOV.2(A) give examples of the processes used by individuals, political parties, interest groups, or the media to affect public policy

GOV.2(B) analyze the impact of political changes brought about by individuals, political parties, interest groups, or the media, past and present

Focus TEKS

GOV.3(A) understand how population shifts affect voting patterns

GOV.3(B) examine political boundaries to make inferences regarding the distribution of political power

GOV.3(C) explain how political divisions are crafted and how they are affected by Supreme Court decisions such as Baker v. Carr

GOV.14(A) explain the difference between personal and civic responsibilities

GOV.14(B) evaluate whether and/or when the obligation of citizenship requires that personal desires and interests be subordinated to the public good

GOV.14(C) understand the responsibilities, duties, and obligations of citizenship such as being well informed about civic affairs, serving in the military, voting, serving on a jury, observing the laws, paying taxes, and serving the public good

GOV.14(D) understand the voter registration process and the criteria for voting in elections

GOV.15(A) analyze the effectiveness of various methods of participation in the political process at local, state, and national levels

GOV.15(B) analyze historical and contemporary examples of citizen movements to bring about political change or to maintain continuity

GOV.15(C) understand the factors that influence an individual's political attitudes and actions

GOV.16(A) examine different points of view of political parties and interest groups such as the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the National Rifle Association (NRA), and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) on important contemporary issues

Ongoing TEKS

GOV.20(A) analyze information by sequencing, categorizing, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, comparing, contrasting, finding the main idea, summarizing, making generalizations and predictions, and drawing inferences and conclusions

GOV.20(B) create a product on a contemporary government issue or topic using critical methods of inquiry;

GOV.20(C) analyze and defend a point of view on a current political issue

GOV.20(D) analyze and evaluate the validity of information, arguments, and counterarguments from primary and secondary sources for bias, propaganda, point of view, and frame of reference

GOV.20(E) evaluate government data using charts, tables, graphs, and maps

GOV.20(F) use appropriate mathematical skills to interpret social studies information such as maps and graphs

GOV.21(A) use social studies terminology correctly

GOV.21(B) use standard grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation

GOV.21(C) transfer information from one medium to another, including written to visual and statistical to written or visual, using computer software as appropriate

GOV.21(D) create written, oral, and visual presentations of social studies information

GOV.22(A) use a problem-solving process to identify a problem, gather information, list and consider options, consider advantages and disadvantages, choose and implement a solution, and evaluate the effectiveness of the solution

GOV.22(B) use a decision-making process to identify a situation that requires a decision, gather information, identify options, predict consequences, and take action to implement a decision

Student Learning Targets:

• I will understand factors that influence public opinion
• I will understand the American electoral process
• I will contrast the presidential and congressional electoral processes

Essential Questions:

• What is the process of political socialization and how does it affect voter behavior?
• How does the American electoral process work?
• How do presidential and congressional electoral processes differ?

Extra Information:

Adopted Textbook:

District Grading Policy

Texas Gateway Online Resource Center