Politics and People: U.S. Government

Lesson 1
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ELA

Alternate Unit 4

4th Grade

Lesson 1 of 29

Objective


Describe federalism and why the United States chose it as a form of government.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: For Which We Stand: How Our Government Works and Why It Matters by Jeff Foster  pp. 14 – 18 — (stop after first two paragraphs)

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

What is federalism? Why did the United States choose federalism for its new government?

Sample Response

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Key Questions


  • What is the role of government?

  • What is democracy

  • Why is it important for citizens to pay attention to elected officials in a republic?

  • Describe two other types of government. 

  • "In [federalism], the national and state governments share power over the people" (p. 16). What evidence does the author use to support this statement?

Vocabulary


democracy

n.

(p. 15)

a form of government in which every person contributes to every decision made by the government

republic

n.

(p. 15)

a form of government in which citizens elect other people to represent them in the government's decision making

federalism

n.

(p. 16)

a system of government in which the national and state governments share power over the people

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.4.2 — Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.
  • RI.4.3 — Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.

Supporting Standards

L.4.4
RF.4.3
RF.4.4
RI.4.1
RI.4.4
RI.4.10
SL.4.1
W.4.10
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Lesson 2

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