Unit/Benchmark topic

Standards

Reading samples 

Graph samples

Cartoon samples

 1 -Forms & systems
     of government

Compare different forms
of government 

C.3.1

 1   

Compare parliamentary,
federal, confederal, and
unitary systems

C.3.2

2 - Foundations of
     US Government

Enlightenment ideas

C.1.1

 1   2

English and colonial
background

C.1.2

English policies and
responses to colonial
concerns

C.1.3

Analyze the Declaration
of Independence. 

C.1.4

Weaknesses of the Articles
of Confederation

C.1.5

Federalists vs Anti-Federalists

C.1.8

 1   2   3   4   5

3 - Anatomy of the
Constitution

Interpret the Preamble

C.1.6

Limits power:
separation of powers, checks and balances.

C.1.7

 1  2   3   4   5
 6

Structure and function of
three branches

C.3.3

Division of powers between the federal and state governments

C.3.4

 1  

Amendment process

C.3.5

Analyze the processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

C.3.8

4 - Application of
    the Constitution

Federalists vs Anti-Federalists

C.1.8

see Unit 2

Bill of Rights and other
amendments

C.2.4 

5 - State & Local
Government

Division of powers between the federal and state governments 

C.3.4

see Unit 3

Analyze the processes of
the legislative, executive,
and judicial branches. 

C.3.8

see Unit 3

Lawmaking process at the
local, state, and federal
levels

C.3.9

Compare US and Florida
constitutions 

C.3.13

Local, state, and federal
governments’ obligations
and services 

C.3.14

6 - Legal System 

Rule of law

C.1.9

 1   2   

Trial process and
the role of juries 

C.2.6

Sources and types of law
(civil, criminal,
constitutional, military) 

C.3.10

Levels, functions, and
powers of courts at the
state and federal levels 

C.3.11

7 - Application of
the Legal System 

Constitution safeguards and limits individual rights

C.2.5

 1  

Evaluate constitutional
rights and their impact

C.3.6

Landmark Supreme Court
cases

C.3.12

8 - Citizenship &
Civic Engagement

Define “citizen,” and identify legal means of becoming a U.S. citizen 

C.2.1 

Obligations to obey laws, pay taxes, defend the nation, and serve on juries

C.2.2

Responsibilities of citizens
at the local, state, or
federal levels 

C.2.3

Impact of the 13th, 14th,
15th,19th, 24th, and 26th
amendments on participation of minority groups in the American political process

C.3.7

Resolve a state/local problem by
a) researching public
policy alternatives,
b) identifying appropriate
government agencies
c) determining a course
of action.

C.2.12

9 - Elections

Conduct a mock election

C.2.7

Identify political parties,
and their ideas

C.2.8

Evaluate candidates for
political office

C.2.9

 1  

 1   

Impact of media, individuals,
and interest groups

C.2.10

Bias, symbolism, propaganda

C.2.11

Multiple perspectives on
public and current issues

C.2.13

10 - International Relations

Concepts related to U.S.
domestic and foreign policy

C.4.1

 1  

Participation in international organizations

C.4.2

How US has dealt with
international conflicts

C.4.3