ALEX Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] GHS (3) 10 :

10 ) Recognize functions of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.

•  Describing the process by which a bill becomes law

•  Explaining the relationship between the federal government and state governments, including the three branches of government (Alabama)

•  Defining governmental systems, including democracy, monarchy, and dictatorship

[SS2010] USS5 (5) 9 :

9 ) Explain how inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation led to the creation and eventual ratification of the Constitution of the United States.

•  Describing major ideas, concepts, and limitations of the Constitution of the United States, including duties and powers of the three branches of government

•  Identifying factions in favor of and opposed to ratification of the Constitution of the United States

Example: Federalist and Anti-Federalist factions

•  Identifying main principles in the Bill of Rights

•  Analyzing the election of George Washington as President of the United States for its impact on the role of president in a republic

[SS2010] CIV (7) 5 :

5 ) Compare duties and functions of members of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Alabama's local and state governments and of the national government. (Alabama)

•  Locating political and geographic districts of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Alabama's local and state governments and of the national government (Alabama)

•  Describing the organization and jurisdiction of courts at the local, state, and national levels within the judicial system of the United States (Alabama)

•  Explaining concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances among the three branches of state and national governments (Alabama)

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] GHS (3) 10 :

10 ) Recognize functions of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.

•  Describing the process by which a bill becomes law

•  Explaining the relationship between the federal government and state governments, including the three branches of government (Alabama)

•  Defining governmental systems, including democracy, monarchy, and dictatorship

[SS2010] USS5 (5) 9 :

9 ) Explain how inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation led to the creation and eventual ratification of the Constitution of the United States.

•  Describing major ideas, concepts, and limitations of the Constitution of the United States, including duties and powers of the three branches of government

•  Identifying factions in favor of and opposed to ratification of the Constitution of the United States

Example: Federalist and Anti-Federalist factions

•  Identifying main principles in the Bill of Rights

•  Analyzing the election of George Washington as President of the United States for its impact on the role of president in a republic

[SS2010] CIV (7) 5 :

5 ) Compare duties and functions of members of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Alabama's local and state governments and of the national government. (Alabama)

•  Locating political and geographic districts of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Alabama's local and state governments and of the national government (Alabama)

•  Describing the organization and jurisdiction of courts at the local, state, and national levels within the judicial system of the United States (Alabama)

•  Explaining concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances among the three branches of state and national governments (Alabama)

In this video from PBSLearningMedia, students learn the peaceful transfer of power from one U.S. president to the next takes place during their inauguration ceremony. Nick walks us through traditions surrounding the big day, including the new president's address and ball.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] CIV (7) 2 :

2 ) Explain essential characteristics of the political system of the United States, including the organization and function of political parties and the process of selecting political leaders.

•  Describing the influence of John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Thomas Paine, Niccolò Machiavelli, Charles de Montesquieu, and François-Marie Arouet (Voltaire) on the political system of the United States

[SS2010] CIV (7) 5 :

5 ) Compare duties and functions of members of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Alabama's local and state governments and of the national government. (Alabama)

•  Locating political and geographic districts of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Alabama's local and state governments and of the national government (Alabama)

•  Describing the organization and jurisdiction of courts at the local, state, and national levels within the judicial system of the United States (Alabama)

•  Explaining concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances among the three branches of state and national governments (Alabama)

[SS2010] CIV (7) 6 :

6 ) Explain the importance of juvenile, adult, civil, and criminal laws within the judicial system of the United States.

•  Explaining rights of citizens as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights under the Constitution of the United States

•  Explaining what is meant by the term rule of law

•  Justifying consequences of committing a civil or criminal offense

•  Contrasting juvenile and adult laws at local, state, and federal levels (Alabama)

[SS2010] CIV (7) 10 :

10 ) Describe individual and civic responsibilities of citizens of the United States.

Examples: individual—respect for rights of others, self-discipline, negotiation, compromise, fiscal responsibility

civic—respect for law, patriotism, participation in political process, fiscal responsibility

•  Differentiating rights, privileges, duties, and responsibilities between citizens and noncitizens

•  Explaining how United States' citizenship is acquired by immigrants

•  Explaining character traits that are beneficial to individuals and society

Examples: honesty, courage, compassion, civility, loyalty

In this lesson from iCivics, Students learn about the rule of law and how it protects individual rights and freedoms. By performing short, scripted skits that illustrate what life might be like without the rule of law, students identify six factors that make up the rule of law and analyze how each factor affects daily life. Students then make connections between the rule of law and America’s founding documents and think about the relationship between the rule of law factors.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 9 :

9 ) Explain how inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation led to the creation and eventual ratification of the Constitution of the United States.

•  Describing major ideas, concepts, and limitations of the Constitution of the United States, including duties and powers of the three branches of government

•  Identifying factions in favor of and opposed to ratification of the Constitution of the United States

Example: Federalist and Anti-Federalist factions

•  Identifying main principles in the Bill of Rights

•  Analyzing the election of George Washington as President of the United States for its impact on the role of president in a republic

[SS2010] CIV (7) 5 :

5 ) Compare duties and functions of members of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Alabama's local and state governments and of the national government. (Alabama)

•  Locating political and geographic districts of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Alabama's local and state governments and of the national government (Alabama)

•  Describing the organization and jurisdiction of courts at the local, state, and national levels within the judicial system of the United States (Alabama)

•  Explaining concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances among the three branches of state and national governments (Alabama)

In this video from PBSLearningMedia, students learn once every 10 years, the government sends workers all over the country to knock on our doors for the U.S. Census mandated by Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution. The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support to local communities. Census data provides billions of dollars in federal funding that goes to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other essential services.

The census also determines the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and is used to draw congressional and state legislative districts

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] GHS (3) 10 :

10 ) Recognize functions of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.

•  Describing the process by which a bill becomes law

•  Explaining the relationship between the federal government and state governments, including the three branches of government (Alabama)

•  Defining governmental systems, including democracy, monarchy, and dictatorship

[SS2010] USS5 (5) 9 :

9 ) Explain how inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation led to the creation and eventual ratification of the Constitution of the United States.

•  Describing major ideas, concepts, and limitations of the Constitution of the United States, including duties and powers of the three branches of government

•  Identifying factions in favor of and opposed to ratification of the Constitution of the United States

Example: Federalist and Anti-Federalist factions

•  Identifying main principles in the Bill of Rights

•  Analyzing the election of George Washington as President of the United States for its impact on the role of president in a republic

[SS2010] CIV (7) 5 :

5 ) Compare duties and functions of members of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Alabama's local and state governments and of the national government. (Alabama)

•  Locating political and geographic districts of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Alabama's local and state governments and of the national government (Alabama)

•  Describing the organization and jurisdiction of courts at the local, state, and national levels within the judicial system of the United States (Alabama)

•  Explaining concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances among the three branches of state and national governments (Alabama)

In this video from PBSLearningMedia, students learn about the constitution. To protect the rights of the people—the Constitution says it takes three parts of the government to make or change a law or make other important decisions. This separation of powers is the process by which states govern. The state's government is divided into branches, each with separate, independent powers and responsibilities so that the powers of one branch are not in conflict with other branches. They serve as checks and balances to each other.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] CIV (7) 5 :

5 ) Compare duties and functions of members of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Alabama's local and state governments and of the national government. (Alabama)

•  Locating political and geographic districts of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Alabama's local and state governments and of the national government (Alabama)

•  Describing the organization and jurisdiction of courts at the local, state, and national levels within the judicial system of the United States (Alabama)

•  Explaining concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances among the three branches of state and national governments (Alabama)

[SS2010] US10 (10) 4 :

4 ) Describe the political system of the United States based on the Constitution of the United States. [A.1.a., A.1.b., A.1.d., A.1.g., A.1.i.]

•  Interpreting the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States; separation of powers; federal system; elastic clause; the Bill of Rights; and the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Nineteenth Amendments as key elements of the Constitution of the United States

•  Describing inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation

•  Distinguishing personalities, issues, ideologies, and compromises related to the Constitutional Convention and the ratification of the Constitution of the United States, including the role of the Federalist papers

•  Identifying factors leading to the development and establishment of political parties, including Alexander Hamilton's economic policies, conflicting views of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, George Washington's Farewell Address, and the election of 1800

[SS2010] USG (12) 4 :

4 ) Explain how the federal system of the United States divides powers between national and state governments. (Alabama)

•  Summarizing obligations that the Constitution of the United States places on a nation for the benefit of the states, including admitting new states and cooperative federalism

•  Evaluating the role of the national government in interstate relations

[SS2010] USG (12) 5 :

5 ) Compare specific functions, organizations, and purposes of local and state governments, including implementing fiscal and monetary policies, ensuring personal security, and regulating transportation. (Alabama)

•  Analyzing the Constitution of Alabama of 1901 to determine its impact on local funding and campaign funding (Alabama)

•  Describing the influence of special interest groups on state government (Alabama)

In this interactive game from iCivics, students will learn how to win power for state or federal government as they coach a team of players to develop persuasive arguments toward their side. Weaker arguments will make a player fall or even move the power toward the other side. This game can be played during a lesson on powers of state and local governments for reinforcement or after as an assessment. It can be played in a whole group or individually.

You will need to create a free account in order to access some of the content on this site.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] CIV (7) 5 :

5 ) Compare duties and functions of members of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Alabama's local and state governments and of the national government. (Alabama)

•  Locating political and geographic districts of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Alabama's local and state governments and of the national government (Alabama)

•  Describing the organization and jurisdiction of courts at the local, state, and national levels within the judicial system of the United States (Alabama)

•  Explaining concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances among the three branches of state and national governments (Alabama)

[SS2010] USG (12) 13 :

13 ) Evaluate constitutional provisions of the judicial branch of government of the United States, including checks by the judicial branch on other branches of government, limits on judicial power, and the process by which cases are argued before the United States Supreme Court.

•  Explaining the structure and jurisdiction of court systems of the United States, including lower courts and appellate courts

•  Identifying the impact of landmark United States Supreme Court cases on constitutional interpretation

Examples: Marbury versus Madison, Miranda versus Arizona, Tinker versus Des Moines, Gideon versus Wainwright, Reno versus American Civil Liberties Union, United States versus Nixon, McCulloch versus Maryland, Wallace versus Jaffree, Wyatt versus Stickney, Powell versus Alabama (Alabama)

•  Describing the shifting political balance of the court system, including the appointment process, the ideology of justices, influences on court decisions regarding executive and legislative opinion, public opinion, and the desire for impartiality

•  Contrasting strict and loose constructionist views of the Constitution of the United States

In this interactive game from iCivics, students will help people from around the country to navigate the U.S. court system. Students will distinguish between the federal and state court systems, identify the types and levels of courts within each system, and evaluate case scenarios to send citizens to the correct court. This game can be played during a lesson on court systems for reinforcement or after as an assessment.

You will need to create a free account in order to access some of the content on this site.