Tell students to list the following parts of a sports team on a blank sheet of paper: Head Coach, Team Captain, and Individual Players.
Then mix up the following and write them on the board: Federal, State, and Local governments.
Ask students to match the parts of the sports team to the words you wrote on the board.
Discuss with students how and why they matched the parts of a sports team to the Federal, States Local governments.
If needed, remind students:
The head coach makes overarching decisions, sets the game plan, and ensures that all players work towards the same goal. (Federal Government)
A team captain leads and motivates the players while following the coach’s overall strategy but can make their own decisions when needed. (States)
Players follow the coach and team captain’s strategy to carry out the plays but know what works best in the moment by moment plays of the game. (Local)
Tell students “Today we will look at the powers divided between the local, state, and federal governments; a principle known as federalism. A country, like a team, is strongest when each part knows and exercises its powers and roles effectively.”
Explore
Provide access to Infographic: Federalism.
Read the definition of federalism as a whole class, having students write a definition in their own words on their paper.
Divide the class into four small groups, starting each group with a different level of government (federal, state, local, shared). Give groups 5 to 10 minutes to read the powers and elaboration hot spots from the infographic. Adjust the time to fit your students.
Next, give students more time to produce a ranked list of powers. Instruct students to also answer “Why are these powers assigned to this level of government”
Collect the ranked list before the groups switch and repeat the process for each section of the infographic.
While students are reading the hotspots and rotating through the sections, teachers can monitor the rankings and keep track of any patterns. For example, two groups placed declare war as most important for the federal government.
When the four groups have rotated through all four sections of the infographic, share any patterns with the class. Also share any major disagreements, such as what one group put as most important, another group put as very low.
Assess & Reflect
Ask students the following reflection questions. Students can discuss whole-group, write and submit their responses, or discuss in a structure format like one from our discussion protocols teacher resource.
Which section (local, state, federal, or shared) affects your daily life the most?
Do you see the level that impacts your life the most changing when you are an adult? Why or why not?
Why do you think there were similarities or differences between the group ranking orders of powers?
If you could move any of the powers to another level of government, would you and why?
How does federalism ensure the country runs smoothly?
Extend
Have students complete the drag and drop Federalism Venn Diagram on the second page of the interactive Federalism infographic to test their knowledge of the placements of powers.
