Alabama Social Studies SS24.USG.13a
The Standard
- SS24.USG.13
- Outline how the federal system of the United States divides powers between national and state governments.
Compare specific functions, organizations, and purposes of local and state governments.
2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students compare the jobs and leaders of state and local governments. They explain why states make statewide decisions while cities and counties handle many local needs.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can match a state highway repair to the state transportation department and a city street repair to city public works. They can explain how a governor and state legislature differ from a mayor and city council.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think a governor directs city councils or that every road is maintained by the state. They may confuse the office that makes a rule with the agency that carries it out.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: A state highway and a city street both have potholes. Name the agency you would contact for each, and explain why the answers differ.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs cards showing driver licenses, state highways, city streets, and trash pickup; have them sort the cards and add an agency for each.
Ask students to write: Why should a city council decide trash pickup rules while a state agency issues driver licenses?
Play a matching game with governor, state legislature, mayor, and city council cards and short descriptions of decisions each makes.
Have students check local public works and state transportation websites to find where residents report potholes on city streets and state highways.
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Printable SS24.USG.13a Worksheet
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Related Standards
- SS24.2.2a
Compare the state and national governments in respect to their powers, roles, and leaders.
- SS24.CWI.4
Compare and contrast the functions and powers of United States government entities which shape official responses to international issues and events.
- SS24.6.10a
Compare and contrast the division of power among levels of government in unitary, federal, and confederate styles of governance.
- SS24.6.16
Compare duties and functions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches at various levels of government.
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