SAMARA
FARUQUI'S
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Unit 3: Government
A. What are you currently learning about in Social Studies? Give some examples of what you have learned this unit.
We are currently learning about the US Government and it's branches. We have learnt about the responsibilites of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. We have also learnt about the politcal parties of the US, where we fit on the spectrum and important supreme court cases.
B. What do you enjoy about this particular SS unit? Explain.
I enjoyed learning more about myself and where I would fit on the politcal spectrum. At the beginning of this unit I also wasn't sure about what each party stood for and what the believed and I enjoyed learning about that.
C. What do you find challenging about this particular SS unit? Explain.
What was most challenging was remembering all of the court cases and the ammendments because they were hard for me to memorize.
D. What is something you have done well in this SS unit? Explain.
I have done well in finding my place o the political spectrum and learning about what the platforms are for both the Democratic and Republican parties.
E. What is something you would like to improve? Explain on how you plan to make improvements.
I would like to improve on the supreme court cases we learnt about, these cases have shaped American history and I would like to know more about them. I know there are resouces online where I can find more information.
Essential Questions
1. How does the US government work?
The US goverment works through checks and balances. There are three branches of government in the US, Executive, Legislative and Judicial. They can all control each others powers so that one branch doesn't become too powerful. The executive branch is basically just the president, and the president is responsible for carrying out the laws, and has the power to vetoe bills from Legislative and nominate judges for Judicial. Legislative is responsible for creating the laws, and they can override the president's vetoe, as well as reject the president's supreme court nominations. Lastly, Judicial branch is responsible for deciding whether laws are constitutional. They can say that a proposed bill or treaty is unconstitutional.
2. Where do you fit on the political sprectrum?
There are two sides to the US politicfal spectrum, there are the liberals and the conservatives, thery are also known as democrats and republicans and left and right. Democrats are usually more progressive on issues, whereas Republicans tend to be more conservative. I believe I am left of centre. I have mostly liberal views on the issues, but I don't feel like I am extremeley liberal because I feel like sometimes their idea of an ideal government involves too much money being taxed. However I do believe in gay rights, women's choice to have an abortion, gun control and making sure people get equal opportunities.
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Word Wall
1. Checks and balances: the system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other two branches
2. Federalism: the constitutional system that shares power between the national and state governments
3. Separation of powers: a key constitutional principle that divides the functions of government among three branches, legislative, executive, and judicial, to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power
4. Bill of Rights: a formal listing of the basic rights of U.S. citizens
5. Due process: the concept that the government must follow clear rules and act reasonably as it carries out the law
6. Self-incrimination: giving testimony that can be used against oneself
7. Warrant: an order from a judge that authorizes police or other officials to take a certain action, such as searching someone’s property
8. Constitution: a written plan that provides the basic framework of a government
9. Electoral College: the group established by the Constitution to elect the president and vice president. Voters in each state choose their electors.
10. Liberal: supporting ideas of freedom, change, and progress (left wing)
11. Conservative: supporting the ideas of traditional values, low taxes, and a strong military
