Course: US History/Ms. Brown Homeroom: 7th Grade US History Standard # Do Now Day #76 Aims: SWBAT define Separation of powers and checks and balances SWBAT identify and explain how each branch of government checks each other SWBAT compare and contrast the Articles of Confederation DO NOW Directions: Answer the following questions in complete and historically accurate sentences. You must attempt each question, there should be absolutely no blank spaces. Be sure to provide examples and evidence to support your answers. The President Can Congress Can The Supreme Court Can 1
I. Vocabulary 1. Separation of powers 2. Checks and balances II. Overview: The Purpose of the System The system of separation of powers and checks and balances helps ensure that government power is limited. Because constitutional governments are organized in complicated ways, getting things done may take time. Although it might seem strange, this is often considered an advantage. Many people that that these complications make it more likely that when government does finally make a decision, it will be a well thought out one. III. Videos: How do the branches check each other? 1. How can the Executive Branch (the President) check the Legislative Branch after they pass a law? 2. How does the Legislative Branch check the President s appointments of government officials? 2
3. How can the Legislative Branch check the Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)? Think: Based on the powers given the Supreme Court, what is one way the Judicial branch can check the Legislative Branch? IV. Competition Directions: As each scenario is given decide if your branch can perform this action. You have 15 seconds to make a decision. When 15 seconds is up your branch will let the class know if it s your power using your signal. Record the answers for each circumstance. Circumstances: A. Power: Checked by: B. Power: Checked by: C. Power: Checked by: D. Power: Checked by: E. Power: Checked by: F. Power: Checked by: G. Power: Checked by: H. Power: Checked by: 3
HOMEWORK /10 Mastered/Passing/Not Mastered 1. Congress includes two parts. What are they? a. Legislative and Executive b. Supreme Court and Court System c. Senate and House of Representatives 2. The Executive branch of government is headed by whom? a. The Presidential b. Senators c. Representatives d. Judges 3. Congress is part of which branch of government? a. Executive b. Legislative c. Judicial 4. What does the Supreme Court do? a. Tell other courts what they must do b. Make sure laws follow the Constitution c. Decide on the punishment for those convicted 5. How many Senators are elected from each state? a. 0 b. 1 c. 2 d. depends on the state s population 4
6. How many representatives are there from each state? a. 0 b. 1 c. 2 d. 3 e. depends on the state s population 7. How is the President chosen? a. People from the smallest states election b. People from the largest states decide c. People from all fifty states election d. The current president decides 8. What does Congress do? a. Leads the army, navy and air force b. Passes laws c. Decides on the punishment of those convicted of crimes d. Decides if laws follow the Constitution 9. What is one of the duties of the President? a. To boss other people around b. To pass laws c. To decide how people should be punished d. To see that the laws passed by Congress are carried out 10. What is another duty of the President? a. Leads the army, navy and air force b. Decides if laws follow the Constitution c. Passes laws d. Decides on the punishment of those convicted of crimes 5
11. What is another duty of the President? a. Makes the laws b. Decides if laws follow the Constitution c. Meets with the heads of other countries d. Decides the punishment of those convinces of crimes 12. The Judicial branch of government involves which of the following? a. The President b. The Courts c. Congress 13. What level of government is this quiz about? a. Local b. State c. National 6
EXIT TICKET /5 Mastered/Passing/Not Mastered 1. List whether each responsibility belongs to the Executive, Legislative or Judicial Branch a. Make Laws: b. Enforce Laws: c. Declare laws unconstitutional: d. Communicate with foreign leaders: e. Raise an army: f. Protect the Constitution: g. Coin Money: 2. Congress has a legislature a. Unicameral b. Bicameral c. Parliamentary d. Tyrannical 3. The Electoral College was created to choose a. Senators b. House of Representatives c. The President d. Supreme Court Judges 4. What is one way one of the branches can check another branch? 7