Day 17: Federalism Workshop

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Standards/Benchmarks:
1.1.
3.3.3 Explain the tension among federal, state, and local governmental power
using the necessary and proper clause, the commerce clause, and the Tenth
Amendment.
Behavioral Objective:
2.1.
Given role description sheets, the students will develop a piece of legislation that
helps their assigned level of government, and then they will have to attempt to
convince the other groups to vote their legislation into action, with their speeches
lasting only two minutes, and the other groups having adverse opinions to the
others.
Anticipatory Set:
3.1.
Before we get started on this day, we will compile a list of the different things that
can be done to participate in civic life, as well as in the democratic process. We
will then discuss how both of them connect by bringing up the general level of
society because they serve the community in both direct and indirect ways.
Objective/Purpose:
4.1.
Today, we are going to focus on not only federalism, but on how federalism can
be a point of contention between the levels of government. Understanding
federalism is key to understanding how the electoral process works, and how the
government relates to the citizens through the various levels. The conflicts that
arise can cause major efficiency issues, and the perhaps the system needs an
update, but Ill leave that one up to you.
Input:
5.1.
Flow:
5.1.1.
After the anticipatory set, we will split and flip. Elaine will take one half for
a workshop on Federalist #10, and I will take the other half.
5.1.2.
At the beginning of my session, I will do a quick overview of federalism
with the students, just to refresh what we had talked about earlier in the
unit.
5.1.3.
In my session, the groups will be assigned roles with conflicting interest.
The students will need to develop legislation, and get a unanimous vote,
but the catch is that everyone wants something different. It will be near
impossible for one group to get all of the votes.
5.1.4.
I will have intentionally rigged the system to highlight how the conflict
between the different levels of government can occur, and how they can
end up in gridlock, or supreme court battles.
5.1.5.
I will also make sure to highlight that while the state and the national
government bicker, the local government could be having a massive
impact on the lives of those that live under their local government. Thus
reinforcing that the local government has the greatest impact on the lives
of the people.
5.2.
Thinking levels:
5.2.1.
Knowledge: Know the different levels of government

5.2.2.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Comprehension: Successfully distinguish between the powers of the

different levels of government.
5.2.3.
Application: Construct an argument for why your groups policy would be
the best one for the nation, state, or town to adopt, applying the principles
of federalism.
5.2.4.
Analysis: Appraise the other groups policies, and determine if it fits into
the goals of your level of government.
5.2.5.
Evaluation: Argue why your branch of the government should have
authority in matters like the one in the simulation, based solely on the
constitution and the facts that youve been given.
5.3.
Materials Needed:
5.3.1.
Scenario sheets
5.3.2.
Whiteboard
5.3.3.
Markers
Modeling:
6.1.
I will show each group what I am looking for, by presenting a fake argument
using the standards that they must follow so I can point them in the right direction
for the development of their arguments.
Check for Understanding:
7.1.
I will walk from group to group while they are working independently, and I will
make sure they understand where their group should be going.
7.2.
I will also have the students write a reflective journal on the issue of federalism,
and then I will collect the journal, looking for analysis of what happened in the
session, and whether or not they fully understand the issues with the American
brand of Federalism.
Guided Practice:
8.1.
While the students are developing their arguments I will be walking alongside of
them, helping them understand how to apply the principles of federalism to their
arguments. I will also help them during their debates, so that they can then apply
their knowledge on the journal write.
Independent Practice:
9.1.
The students will have time to write a journal in which they explain their
understanding of federalism, and then they will assess the system, and suggest
changes that would improve the way that the government is run.
Closure:
10.1.
The exit slip for the students will be their journal writes, so that I can assess
where they are at in their understanding of Federalism, and the conflicts that can
arise as a result.

*Student Handouts*

Memorandum:
From the Desk of the Mayor
As I am sure you are aware, our town has lost another
promising life to a high speed car accident. This marks the
fourth student from our high school this year, and in total, the
seventh community member we have lost this year. It would be
easy if all of the accidents took place on the same road, but
they all happened at different places, under different speeds.
It is my belief, and I submit to you, that we need to
develop a plan for addressing this issue. Overall, the national
average for car accidents has increased, and our town knows this
more than most.
We need change, but we will need to present our plan to the
state and national governments as well. We will need to make
sure that our plan is complete, and fits with the laws in place
by both the state and the national government.

Thank you for all of your help, and I look forward to working
with you in developing a plan of action for our town.

Memorandum:
From the Desk of the Governor of the State of Michigan
Hello, I have some concerning news from a reliable source
in Washington D.C. The National Government is working together
in a non-partisan effort lower speed limits, or take rights away
from drivers in the United States. The president has said that
there have been up to 60% more motor vehicle crashes in the
country over the past year. That may be true, but as you are
most likely aware, in our fine state, the total number of
vehicle crashes has dropped by 45%. Speed and driver rights are
not issues in the state of Michigan that much is clear.
Your job is to write a law that blocks the National
Government from making changes to our speed laws, or anything to
do with driver safety. We are already safe, and we know it. You
will need to be careful though, it is not enough to say that the
national government cant step in, we need to specifically lock
in certain aspects of our law. You will need to be specific
when writing the law.

You will need to present your plan to the national and

local governments, so you will need to be able to defend our new
law. In order to defend your case, you will need to research
and use the following:
-The 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
I have complete confidence in you, and I cant wait to see
how you are successful in this matter.

Thank you for your hard work!

Memorandum:
From the Desk of the President of the United States
Across the nation, the number of speed related automobile
accidents has increased dramatically. One conservative source
estimates that in the past year, the nation has seen a 60% rise
in the number of speed related vehicle crashes that resulted in
the death of one of the parties involved in the accident.
The public is worried about the increase in accidents, and
so I believe that is necessary for the national government to
take action to resolve the publics concern. The legislation
that you write can take a variety of forms, it doesn't matter
how you get it done as long as the people of our fine country
are put at ease.
I warn you, some people may push back against the
restrictions that you set in place, and I would recommend that
you research and use some of the following to defend your
decision.

Necessary and Proper Clause from the U.S. Constitution

Commerce Clause from the U.S. Constitution

You only have a little bit of time before you will be

required to present your plan in front of State and Local
governments. Be sure that the national government takes action
on this.

Thank you for your cooperation.