Beginning+of+the+Unit

Planning for the Beginning of the Instructional Unit


 * What learning goals will I present to students? **

The learning goals will be presented to the students in three phases.

**__Phase I: Levels of Government__** //Local governments// are responsible for collecting garbage, providing water, police and fire protection, protecting private property, and other community services. //State governments// are responsible for issuing driver’s licenses, caring for state parks, providing money for schools and hospitals, and making decisions about education. The //Federal government// is responsible for protection of our country, trading with other countries, printing money, delivering mail, and collecting taxes.

**__ Phase II: Branches of Government __** The //Executive Branch// contains the president and his cabinet members. There responsibilities are to enforce laws, approve or vetos congress’ bills, direct the military, make foreign policies, and write the federal budge. The //Legislative Branch// contains Congress, the House of Representatives and the Senate. There responsibilities are to write bills, overturn vetoes to pass bills, approve the president’s budget, if needed impeach the president, and declare war. The //Judicial Branch// includes the Supreme Court. Their responsibilities are to interpret laws, decide if laws are constitutional, decide court cases, and settle cases between two or more states.

**__ Phase III: Checks and Balances __** Each of the three branches of government are equally powerful. Checks and balances allow for each branch of the government to limit the powers of the other. This ensures that one branch does not become too powerful.

** How will I display these goals so that they are clearly evident throughout the unit? **

As we begin each phase, students will first be provided with the state standard. These standards will be posted in the classroom in large font on an 8” x 11” piece of paper.

** How will I provide guidance for students as they generate their own learning goals? **

My students do not have much practice writing their own learning goals.

media type="custom" key="16565324"

** Writing Quality Student Goals **
 * Begin with an approachable phrase such as “I can” or “I will learn how to”.
 * Difficult words or phrases need to be redefined and written into kid friendly text.
 * Conclude with an action that can be observed.

** How will student display these goals so they are evident throughout the unit? **

Students will write their own goals and we will place them around the state goal. A interesting way to do this may be to make a display with a soccer net with the state standard inside and the students write their goals on soccer balls. When they have mastered that skill, they can place it into the “goal.” This would provide a visual of our goals.

Return to Final Project Continue to Planning for Introducing Knowledge