Alabama Social Studies SS24.6.16

SS24.6.16 is a cluster heading. These are the individual standards under it.

• SS24.6.16a

  Illustrate and explain the relationship among the three branches, including checks and balances and separation of powers.

• SS24.6.16b

  Identify key positions in each branch and describe their responsibilities.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students identify who makes laws, who carries them out, and who interprets them in federal, state, and local government. They name people or groups in each branch, such as legislators, governors, mayors, and judges. They explain how a veto, override, or court ruling can limit another branch.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student can place Congress, the president, and federal courts in the right branches, then do the same for state and city officials. Given a bill, they can explain who passes it, who may veto it, and who may decide whether it follows the constitution.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may think a president or governor makes laws alone, or that judges vote on bills. They may put a mayor in state government. Some think a veto ends a bill, missing the legislature's chance to override it.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: Label Congress, the president, federal courts, a state legislature, a governor, state courts, a city council, a mayor, and a municipal court by branch. Then explain who can veto and override a federal bill.

1. 01

   Give groups cards for Congress, president, federal court, state legislature, governor, state court, city council, mayor, and municipal court to sort by branch.

2. 02

   Ask, 'If a governor vetoes a bill, should state lawmakers be able to override it?' Have students name both branches in their answers.

3. 03

   Play branch bingo: read 'confirms a judge,' 'vetoes a bill,' and 'rules on a law'; students mark Senate, president, or court.

4. 04

   Show a city council agenda and a mayor's budget proposal; have students label each branch and explain where a municipal court fits.

• SS24.2.2

  Identify the three branches of government and describe their roles.

• SS24.6.10a

  Compare and contrast the division of power among levels of government in unitary, federal, and confederate styles of governance.

• SS24.USG.13a

  Compare specific functions, organizations, and purposes of local and state governments.