MJ Civics Organizing Principle 5

Organizing Principle 5: The Founding Fathers created the three branches of government 6 Weeks/ November 27th – January 26th
to help prevent governmental abuse of power.

Measurement Topics Curriculum Standards Benchmarks Vocabulary Content Focus
Terms
The Three Branches *Describe how the Constitution limits the powers of government through SS.7.C.1.7 Ambassador
of Government separation of powers and checks and balances. SS.7.C.3.3 Amnesty Armed Forces
SS.7.C.3.8 Census Cabinet
1. Explain the concept of limited government as set forth in the U.S. Concurrent Powers Caucus
Constitution; SS.7.C.3.9 Confederation Chief Justice
2. Recognize examples of separation of powers and checks and Constituent Coin/Print money
balances. House of Committees
Representatives Concurrent Powers
****Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government Majority party Constitutional
established in Articles I, II, and III with corresponding powers) of government Minority party Government
in the United States as established in the Constitution. Senate Declare war
Executive order Delegated Powers
1. Compare the roles and responsibilities of the three branches of the Federalism Elastic Clause
federal government; Filibuster Enumerated Powers
Judicial review Foreign relations
2. Identify the general powers described in Articles I, II, and III of the U.S. Jurisdiction Governor
Constitution. Pardon Impeach
Pocket veto Implied Powers
****Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, Reserved Powers Majority Leader
executive, and judicial branches. Majority Vote
Minority Leader
1. Examine the following processes of the legislative branch: Necessary and Proper
-How a bill becomes a law, appointment confirmation, impeachment Pardon
(United States v. Nixon),committee selection President Pro Tempore
Presidential appointment
2. Examine the following processes of the executive branch: Prime Minister
-Executive order, veto, appointments Regulation of Immigration
School Boards
3. Examine the following processes of the judicial branch: Speaker of the House
-Judicial review (Marbury v. Madison (1803), court order, writ of certiorari, Special Interest Groups
Statute
summary judgment

Illustrate the law-making process at the local, state, and federal levels.