Local and Federal

Governments Unit
LEARNING
TARGETS
I can
• Understand the development, structure and function of local government.
• Summarize the historical development of local governments.
• Describe the structure of local government and how it functions to serve
citizens.
• Understand the three branches of government, with an emphasis on local
government.
• Understand how citizens participate in their communities.
• Exemplify how citizens contribute politically, socially and economically to
their community.
• Exemplify how citizens contribute to the well-being of the community’s
natural environment.
• Apply skills in civic engagement and public discourse (school, community)
 FRAMING
This month we will learn about our government
contribute to our community.

First, I will model the branches of government and the

mayoral staff.
Next, we will research how citizens contribute to a
society.
Then, you will apply those skills to participate in an
election.
Finally, you will show what you know in an exit ticket.

This is important because it is essential that we all

make a contribution to our communities so they may
grow.
VOCABULARY
EXECUTIVE BRANCH

= The power of the Executive Branch is

vested in the President of the United States,
who also acts as head of state and
Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.
The President is responsible for
implementing and enforcing the laws written
by Congress and, to that end, appoints the
heads of the federal agencies, including the
Cabinet. The Vice President is also part of
the Executive Branch, ready to assume the
Presidency should the need arise.

white house website for executive branch

VOCABULARY
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

= Established by Article I of the Constitution, the

Legislative Branch consists of the House of
Representatives and the Senate, which together
form the United States Congress. The
Constitution grants Congress the sole authority
to enact legislation and declare war, the right to
confirm or reject many Presidential
appointments, and substantial investigative
powers.

white house website for legislative branch

VOCABULARY
JUDICIAL BRANCH

= Where the Executive and Legislative branches are elected by the

people, members of the Judicial Branch are appointed by the President
and confirmed by the Senate.

Article III of the Constitution, which establishes the Judicial Branch,

leaves Congress significant discretion to determine the shape and
structure of the federal judiciary. Even the number of Supreme Court
Justices is left to Congress — at times there have been as few as six,
while the current number (nine, with one Chief Justice and eight
Associate Justices) has only been in place since 1869. The Constitution
also grants Congress the power to establish courts inferior to the
Supreme Court, and to that end Congress has established the United
States district courts, which try most federal cases, and 13 United
States courts of appeals, which review appealed district court cases.

white house website for judicial branch

VOCABULARY
MAYOR

= the elected head of a city, town, or other municipality.

Office of the mayor Durham, NC website

VOCABULARY
City council

= the legislative body of a city

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