Government Unit 4

Big Idea:

Understands the structure and functions of the Legislative Branch.

Student Expectations:

Priority TEKS

GOV.8(A) analyze the structure and functions of the legislative branch of government, including the bicameral structure of Congress, the role of committees, and the procedure for enacting laws

Focus TEKS

GOV.5(A) explain how government fiscal, monetary, and regulatory policies influence the economy at the local, state, and national levels

GOV.5(B) identify the sources of revenue and expenditures of the U. S. government and analyze their impact on the U.S. economy

GOV.5(C) compare the role of government in the U.S. free enterprise system and other economic systems

GOV.5(D) understand how government taxation and regulation can serve as restrictions to private enterprise

GOV.6(A) examine how the U.S. government uses economic resources in foreign policy

GOV.6(B) understand the roles of the executive and legislative branches in setting international trade and fiscal policies

GOV.8(D) identify the purpose of selected independent executive agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and regulatory commissions, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

GOV.8(E) explain how certain provisions of the U.S. Constitution provide for checks and balances among the three branches of government

GOV.8(G) explain the major responsibilities of the federal government for domestic and foreign policy such as national defense

GOV.8(H) compare the structures, functions, and processes of national, state, and local governments in the U.S. federal system

GOV.9(A) explain why the Founding Fathers created a distinctly new form of federalism and adopted a federal system of government instead of a unitary system

GOV.9(B) categorize government powers as national, state, or shared

GOV.9(C) analyze historical and contemporary conflicts over the respective roles of national and state governments

GOV.9(D) understand the limits on the national and state governments in the U.S. federal system of government

GOV.10(A) compare different methods of filling public offices, including elected and appointed offices at the local, state, and national levels

GOV.11(A) analyze the functions of political parties and their role in the electoral process at local, state, and national levels

GOV.11(B) explain the two-party system and evaluate the role of third parties in the United States

GOV.11(C) identify opportunities for citizens to participate in political party activities at local, state, and national levels

GOV.12(A) compare the U.S. constitutional republic to historical and contemporary forms of government such as monarchy, a classical republic, authoritarian, socialist, direct democracy, theocracy, tribal, and other republics

GOV.12(B) analyze advantages and disadvantages of federal, confederate, and unitary systems of government

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 the role of the Legislative Branch
• I will compare and contrast the House of Representatives and the Senate
• I will describe the checks and balances of the Legislative Branch

Essential Questions:

• What is the Constitutional role of the legislative branch?
• How are the House of Representatives and the Senate similar?
• How are the House of Representatives and the Senate different?
• What are the limits to legislative power?

Extra Information:

Adopted Textbook:

District Grading Policy

Texas Gateway Online Resource Center