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Federalism and the Constitution with Anastasia Boden

Guiding Questions

  • What role does the judiciary play in checking and balancing the other branches? 
  • Why did the Framers divide power between state and national government? 

Objectives 

  • Students will: 
    • Identify the judiciary’s role in limiting the power of the other branches. 
    • Describe why the Framers divided power between state and national governments. 

Student Resources: 

Teacher Resources: 

Facilitation Note 

Watch the interview before class to choose 2-3 stopping points for students to “pause and talk.” 

 Engage 

  • Say to students, “The Framers of the Constitution worried that government might become too powerful and take away people’s rights. Today, we’re going to test how well the system of checks and balances works. Imagine these situations and ask yourself: Who should stop one of the branches of government from going too far?” 
  • Show one scenario at a time (projected or read aloud). After each, ask students to think–pair–share or do a quick show of hands. 
  • Scenario 1: The President’s Executive Order
    • The president announces that newspapers cannot publish stories criticizing the government.
    • Ask: “Who should be able to stop this violation of the Bill of Rights?” 
  • Scenario 2: Congress’s Law
    • Congress passes a bill saying police can search anyone’s phone without a warrant.
      Ask: “Who should step in to protect people’s rights to privacy?” 
  • Scenario 3: The States’ Move
    • A state passes a law saying students from other states cannot attend its public colleges.
    • Ask: “Who should be able to challenge this law?” 

Explore

Viewing the Video 

  • Hand out the viewing guides and play the video, stopping at the predetermined points to “pause and talk”, and as needed to give students time to fill in their viewing guide.  
  • Optional Activity: Mini-Pair Shares During Viewing 
    • To add accountability and clear up confusion, students compare answers, ask questions, contribute their thoughts, and add anything they missed or misunderstood.  

 

Assess & Reflect

  • Answer the follow-up question on the viewing guide  
    • In your own words, how can checks and balances support federalism? 

 

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