Unit 3 Becoming the United States

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Myron Perkins
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1 Unit 3 Becoming the United States Parents/Guardians, Below is information that your child will be learning in this unit in social studies. This nine weeks there is one unit for the 4 ½ weeks that will be broken into 2 summative tests and 4 district formative assessments. You will see below that there are some essential/guiding questions that your child should be able to answer by the end of the unit and should guide your nightly discussions. Please also make reference to your child s notes in his/her notebook when studying nightly. We will ask the students to highlight or star each question as we teach it. If you would like you can review topics before they are taught. Please also remember that some questions ask students to gather and analyze information from 1 or more sources and cannot always be memorized in advance. You will be receiving a new letter with essential/guiding questions for each unit. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child s teacher. Thanks, LWE 4 th Grade S.S. Teachers Unit overview: In this unit students explore the early origins of how the United States came to be and the roles the founding fathers played in developing our democratic society. This sets the stage for the unit to follow where students examine westward expansion and the idea of manifest destiny. Essential Questions: 1. What is a primary source? o A primary source is an eyewitness account or observation. It is created by either the person(s) involved in the event or an eyewitness to the event. Photograph Diary/journal entry Speech Letter Government Documents (i.e. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, naturalization papers, passport ) Autobiographies Interview 2. What is a secondary source? o A secondary source is any item that was created after the events it describes and that was created by someone that was not directly involved in or not an eyewitness to the events. Biography Textbook Encyclopedia Research articles

2 3. How did the founding fathers impact the formation of the United States? o Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence and became the 3 rd president. While president he bought Louisiana from France in the Louisiana Purchase. o George Washington was the leader of army during the American Revolution and was chosen as the first president of the United States. o James Madison was the fourth President of the United States. He was the father (author) of the constitution. o Benjamin Franklin was an inventor and owned his own printing press and newspaper. He was able to convince France to help the colonists fight for independence. 4. How did settlers impact the growth of the United States? o St. Augustine was the first settlement of the United States founded by the Spanish in o Pilgrims were a group of people who moved to the Americas from Great Britain in search of religious freedom. o Jamestown was the first English colony led by Captain John Smith. 5. How have key events led to the Revolutionary War? o Taxation without representation is when the government decides on taxes for the people without any representation (any input) from the people. o This upset the colonists because they felt it was unfair for the English government to tax them without the colonists being able to have input on the kinds of taxes and amount of taxes they had to pay. o A tax is money collected by the government to pay for goods and services for the people. A sales tax is a fee on items people buy. o The Boston Massacre occurred when the colonists became upset with the laws involving British/English soldiers. Several colonists made fun of the soldiers, threw things at them, and threatened them. One soldier accidentally fired his gun and then more began to shoot at the colonists. Several colonists died. This incident made the colonist even more upset with Great Britain. o The colonists expressed their unhappiness with the tax on tea during the Boston Tea Party were several colonists dress as Native Americans and snuck on an English ship to dump the English tea in the water. o People who wanted America to fight for independence were called Patriots. Those that still wanted to be part of Great Britain were called Loyalists. o The colonists were fed up with Great Britain s unfair laws and wanted their own government separate from Great Britain. 6. What is the significance of the Declaration of Independence? o This document written in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson and signed by many Founding Fathers declared America s independence from Great Britain and told Great Britain they no longer wanted to be a part of it and would create their own country the United States of America. o This document explained the colonists reasons why they wanted to break away from Great Britain.

3 7. How have our country s major democratic documents shaped our government s structure and functions? o The Constitution is a document written in 1787 that creates our plan for government, including the 3 branches of government. o Parts of the Constitution Preamble introduction that establishes the reason for a democratic government Articles set up the way the government will function, the 3 branches of government, and the jobs of each branch Bill of Rights the first 10 amendments of the Constitution that tell the rights a citizen has (An amendment is an addition to the Constitution. Amendments can still be added to the Constitution.) 8. What are the purposes and necessities of a government? o Form a more perfect Union (to do what is best to create a better country) o Establish justice (provide courts and judges to hold trials) o Ensure domestic tranquility (keep peace in our country) o Provide for our defense (military and police protection) o Promote the general welfare (provides resources to people who are in need) o Secure the blessings of liberty (protect the rights of all the citizens) 9. What are some of the significant changes made to the constitution over time, and what impacts did they have on our country? o Amendment 13 Abolished slavery o Amendment 14 Granted everyone born in the United States citizenship o Amendment 15 Allowed African-American men to vote o Amendment 16 Allowed the government to collect an income tax from its citizens o Amendment 19 Allowed women to vote 10. How are the three branches of government different in both structure and function? o Executive The President is the head of the Executive branch Responsibilities of the Executive branch Sign or veto bills. If President signs the bill, it becomes a law. Head of the Military and meets with the leaders of other countries Make sure laws are enforced (carries out laws) o Legislative Congress is the head of the legislative branch. Congress has two parts. House of Representatives The number of representatives for each state is determined by the population of each state. Senate 2 Senators for each state (100 total) Responsibilities of the legislative branch of the government Make laws for our country Decides how much money to spend

4 o Judicial Supreme Court (9 Justices) is the head of the judicial branch Responsibilities of the judicial branch The purpose of the Judicial Branch is to be sure the laws follow the Constitution and to hear cases from the lower courts. 11. What are the key requirements to become a United States citizen? o Born in the United States o Parents born in the United States o Naturalization Process Steps of the Naturalization Process: Fill out application Live in the U.S. for five years Read, write, and speak English Take and pass a test on U.S. Government and U.S. History 12. What are the differences between a citizen s rights, responsibilities, and duties? o Rights of U.S. Citizens: To vote To have a jury trial To get an education To protest To run for public office First Amendment Rights Freedom of Speech (speak out in agreement or disagreement with others) Freedom of Religion (right to be able to practice or not practice your religious beliefs) Freedom of the Press (reporters to report news on any topic they choose) Freedom of Assembly (citizens can meet together to discuss any concerns) Freedom of Petition (ability to sign a signature to show support for a cause) o Responsibilities/Duties of U.S. Citizens: Participate in the government by staying informed and voting Follow the laws Pay taxes Defend America if needed Serve on a jury Take care of the environment/community 13. What elements of a democracy are dependent upon good citizenship? o Our government is a representative democracy which is a government where people elect government leaders to make decisions for them o Citizens must show there civic responsibility by staying informed about the decisions elected officials make. They can write letters to representatives, sign petitions, hold protests, and most importantly vote. Citizens must agree to follow laws that representatives establish.

5 14. How does a government provide goods and services? o With tax money o Types of taxes Income tax money collected from a worker s earnings Sales tax money added to the cost of an item you purchase Property tax tax paid by the people who own land o Services our taxes provide: Public parks Police and military to keep us safe Roads and bridges Public education 15. What are some national symbols? o Bald eagle The bald eagle was chosen as the emblem of the United States of America because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks, and also because it was then believed to exist only on this continent. o American flag 13 red and white strips represent the 13 original colonies 50 stars to represent the 50 states Social Studies GLEs taught and possibly assessed in Unit Define and distinguish between primary and secondary resources History Explain how early explorations affected the expansion of boundaries and development in the United States Cite evidence to support the key contributions and influence of people in the history of the United States Explain the voluntary migration of people and its significance in the development of the boundaries of the United States Draw conclusions about the relationship of significant events in the history of the United States to the expansion of democracy in the United States Government and Political Systems Identify and summarize significant changes that have been made to the United States Constitution through the amendment process Explain the significance of key ideas contained in the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights Identify and analyze the basic purposes and necessity of government as identified in the Preamble to the United States Constitution Differentiate between the structure and function of the three branches of federal government Role of a Citizen Identify the key requirements to become a United States citizen Differentiate between citizens rights, responsibilities, and duties Describe the qualities of a good citizen and how good citizenship contributes to the United States democracy Explain how good citizenship can solve a current issue Describe how government pays for goods and services through taxes and fees Summarize the roles of households, businesses, jobs, banks, and governments in the economy

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