Virginia SOL CE.3.a
The Standard
describing the structure and powers of the state government (the three branches of government)
Virginia Standards of Learning for History and Social Science · The student will apply history and social science skills to analyze how constitutional government functions at the state level by
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify Virginia’s legislative, executive, and judicial branches. They describe each branch’s main parts and explain how its powers differ from the others.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can explain that the General Assembly makes laws, the governor carries them out, and Virginia courts interpret them. They can identify the Senate and House of Delegates.
Common Misconceptions
- Students often use federal terms, such as Congress or president, for Virginia government. They may think the governor makes laws or that courts only decide criminal cases.
How to Assess It
- Give students three boxes labeled General Assembly, governor, and Virginia courts. Ask them to list one structural feature and one power for each.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups labeled cards for officials, institutions, and powers, then have them build a three-column Virginia government chart.
Write which branch should handle a proposed school safety law, enforce it, and settle a legal challenge, with reasons.
Run a branch-sorting relay using cards such as passes laws, signs bills, hears appeals, and prepares the state budget.
Use a current Virginia bill to trace action by the General Assembly, governor, and courts if the law is challenged.
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Printable CE.3.a Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CE.3.a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 3.9.c
identifying and describing the three branches of government
- CE.3.c
describing the roles and powers of the executive branch and regulatory boards as they affect states;
- CE.2.a
describing the structure and powers of the government (the three branches of government);
- CE.4.a
describing the structure and powers of the local government and explaining the local lawmaking process;
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