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Social Studies Grade 3 GSE Source Set Unit 6: American Government Basics

This unit explores the beliefs, principles, and organization of American government, including the concept of representative democracy, the three branches of government, and the importance of active citizenship. Students will learn about individual rights and the common good, as well as the qualities needed for government positions.

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Social Studies Grade 3 GSE Source Set Unit 6: American Government Basics

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  1. Social Studies Grade 3 GSE Source Set Unit 6: American Government Basics

  2. Unit Essential Questions • What beliefs and ideals have shaped the way our government is organized? • What do we mean when we say we are a representative democracy/republic? • Why do we have three branches of government? • How do we become active citizens? • What beliefs and principles do Americans share? Why should we share them?

  3. SS3CG1 Describe the elements of representative democracy/republic in the United States.a. Describe the three branches of national government: executive (president), legislative (Congress), and judicial (Supreme Court of the United States).b. Describe the three branches of state government: executive (governor), legislative (Georgia General Assembly), and judicial (Supreme Court of Georgia).c. State the main responsibility of each branch: executive (enforcing laws), legislative (making laws), judicial (determining if laws are fair).

  4. SS3CG2 Explain the importance of Americans sharing certain central democratic beliefs and principles, both personal and civic.a. Explain the necessity of respecting the rights of others and promoting the common good.b. Explain the necessity of obeying reasonable laws/rules voluntarily, and explain why it is important for citizens in a democratic society to participate in public (civic) life (staying informed, voting, volunteering, and communicating with public officials).

  5. Activity 1 – Ideas & Beliefs About Our Government • What beliefs and ideals have shaped the way our government is organized? • What do we mean when we say we are a representative democracy/republic?

  6. U.S. Constitution, 1787, public domain

  7. The Constitution tells how the government is organized. • It is 4 pages long and has 7 sections, or articles.

  8. Representative democracy Direct democracy

  9. VVWA Chart - Vocabulary

  10. Activity 2 – Things in Threes • Why do we have three branches of government?

  11. Weblinks for activity 2 • “Three Ring Government” lyrics - http://www.schoolhouserock.tv/ThreeRing.html • Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government at https://bensguide.gpo.gov/a-what-are-branches • Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government: State governmenthttps://bensguide.gpo.gov/apprentice-federal-versus-state-government

  12. 3 Branches sample icons

  13. Activity 3 – Government at the State Level • How do the three branches of government at the state level compare and contrast with the federal government?

  14. Weblinks for activity 3 • Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government - https://bensguide.gpo.gov/apprentice-federal-versus-state-government

  15. Activity 4 – A Job Opportunity • What qualities does one need to work in one of the branches of government?

  16. Classified Ad for government job Choose from among these titles/leadership positions: • President • Governor • U.S. Senator or Representative • Georgia Senator or Representative • U.S. Supreme Court Judge • Georgia Supreme Court Judge

  17. Activity 5 – Individual Rights and the Common Good • How do we become active citizens? • What beliefs and principles do Americans share? Why should we share them?

  18. The Common Good Individual Rights

  19. Activity 6 – Good Citizens • How do we become active citizens? • What beliefs and principles do Americans share? Why should we share them?

  20. Weblinks for Activity 6 Video: “America at Its Best: What It Means to Be an American Citizen,”

  21. Collage directions of good citizenship in action • Work as a group or class • Cut out images • Capture photos • Draw images • Paste images in an attractively designed collage OR pin images on a class bulletin board. • emphasize images of people voting, staying informed, volunteering, communicating with public officials, etc. • Be able to explain the image(s) you contributed and how they provide evidence of good citizenship.

  22. American Government Basics Unit - Culminating Activity Creating an Infographic Infographic: a visual presentation of information in the form of a chart, graph, or other image, with limited text. It is often used to give an overview of a complex system or context.

  23. Sample infographics

  24. Another sample

  25. Include in your infographic: • DATA – numbers or basic facts • DESIGN – an attractive and visually exciting look • STORY – able to tell what you want it to about your topic • SHAREABILITY – designed to be shared either in hard copy or digitally or both

  26. Infographic topics • How Our Government is Organized • Same and Different: National and State Government • Individual Rights and the Common Good • What is a Good Citizen? • (your choice of topic, as long as the group can relate it to the Civics/Government standards for this unit and receive teacher approval)

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