Created byBenjamin Fry
0 views0 downloads
Resolving Government Conflicts: A State and Local Revenue Project
Grade 12HistorySocial Studies5 days
This project delves into the complexities of governmental conflicts, focusing on the balance of power between state and federal entities, and the roles and revenue sources of state and local governments. Students explore constitutional interpretations, analyze historical and contemporary cases, and investigate revenue streams. Through essays, presentations, and visual representations, they examine the impact of differing interpretations on governance and the responsibilities of local entities. The project aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of governmental functions and revenue sources, enabling them to engage more effectively in civic life.Governmental ConflictsRevenue SourcesConstitutional InterpretationState GovernmentLocal GovernmentBalance of PowerCivic Engagement
📝
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we ensure effective governance and address the needs of citizens when conflicts arise between different levels and branches of government, considering their responsibilities and revenue sources?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How do conflicts between different levels of government get resolved in a federal system?
- What are the specific roles and powers of each branch of government, and how do these sometimes lead to conflict?
- In what ways do state and local governments depend on different revenue streams to fulfill their responsibilities?
- What happens when state and local laws clash with federal laws, and how is this resolved?
- How do different interpretations of the Constitution lead to conflicts between branches and levels of government?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to explain the methods used to resolve conflicts between different levels of government.
- Students will be able to describe the responsibilities of state governments.
- Students will be able to describe the responsibilities of local governments.
- Students will be able to identify the revenue sources for state governments.
- Students will be able to identify the revenue sources for local governments.
- Students will be able to analyze the impact of different interpretations of the Constitution on conflicts between government branches and levels.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe Case of the Conflicting Laws
Students are presented with a fictional, but realistic, case study involving a dispute between a state law and a federal regulation. They must analyze the case, identify the conflicting points, and propose a resolution strategy, sparking debate and inquiry into the balance of power.📚
Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Activity 1
Constitutional Interpretation Impact Analysis
Students will analyze how different interpretations of the Constitution can lead to conflicts between government branches and levels, examining case studies to illustrate these conflicts.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Research historical and contemporary cases where different interpretations of the Constitution led to governmental conflicts.
2. Analyze the different interpretations and how they caused the conflict.
3. Write an essay that examines the impact of these differing interpretations on the balance of power and governance.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn essay analyzing the impact of differing Constitutional interpretations on conflicts between government branches and levels.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to analyze the impact of different interpretations of the Constitution on conflicts between government branches and levels.Activity 2
Local Government Responsibilities
Students will examine and present the main responsibilities of local governments, including services like waste management, local infrastructure, and community health.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Identify the primary responsibilities of local governments (e.g., waste management, local infrastructure, community health).
2. Investigate how these responsibilities are managed in their local community, gathering data and examples.
3. Prepare a report or presentation that illustrates these local government responsibilities.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA report or presentation illustrating the responsibilities of local governments with local examples.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to describe the responsibilities of local governments.Activity 3
State Government Revenue Sources
Students will explore and document the various sources of revenue for state governments, such as taxes, federal grants, and fees.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Research the different sources of revenue for state governments, including taxes, federal grants, and fees.
2. Analyze the proportion of revenue from each source in your state.
3. Create a visual representation (e.g., chart, graph) to display the revenue sources and their relative contributions.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visual representation of state government revenue sources with an analysis of their contributions.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to identify the revenue sources for state governments.Activity 4
Local Government Revenue Sources
Students will identify and analyze the revenue sources for local governments, including property taxes, local sales taxes, and state aid.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Research the revenue sources for local governments, such as property taxes, local sales taxes, and state aid.
2. Determine the primary revenue sources for your local government.
3. Write a short paper explaining these revenue sources and their impact on local services.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA short paper explaining local government revenue sources and their impact on local services.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to identify the revenue sources for local governments.🏆
Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioGovernance and Revenue Exploration Rubric
Category 1
Constitutional Interpretation
Evaluates the ability to analyze how different interpretations of the Constitution impact governance.Criterion 1
Historical and Contemporary Case Analysis
Measures the depth of analysis on case studies where constitutional interpretation led to conflict.
Exemplary
4 PointsThoroughly analyzes multiple historical and contemporary cases, providing insightful connections between different interpretations and conflict emergence.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively analyzes several cases with clear connections between interpretations and conflicts.
Developing
2 PointsAnalyzes a limited number of cases with basic connections between interpretations and conflicts.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to analyze cases with minimal connections between interpretations and conflicts.
Criterion 2
Impact on Governance
Assesses the ability to articulate the impact of differing constitutional interpretations on governance and power balance.
Exemplary
4 PointsArticulates a comprehensive understanding of the impact on governance with multiple, well-supported insights on power dynamics.
Proficient
3 PointsClearly articulates the impact on governance with several supported insights.
Developing
2 PointsArticulates some impacts on governance with limited insights or support.
Beginning
1 PointsArticulates minimal impact with scant insights or support.
Category 2
Local Government Responsibilities
Assesses the understanding of local government roles and their real-world applications.Criterion 1
Identification and Explanation of Responsibilities
Measures the ability to identify and explain the main responsibilities of local governments with real-world examples.
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies and vividly explains multiple responsibilities with detailed real-world examples.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies and clearly explains major responsibilities with supporting examples.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some responsibilities with limited explanation or examples.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify key responsibilities and provide examples.
Category 3
State Government Revenue Sources
Evaluates the understanding of state government's revenue streams and their significance.Criterion 1
Research and Analysis of Revenue Sources
Measures the ability to research, analyze, and represent various revenue sources for state governments.
Exemplary
4 PointsConducts thorough research and provides detailed analysis with accurate representations of revenue sources.
Proficient
3 PointsCompletes solid research and analysis with clear representation of revenue sources.
Developing
2 PointsCompletes basic research with limited analysis and representation of revenue sources.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles with research and provides minimal analysis and representation of revenue sources.
Category 4
Local Government Revenue Sources
Assesses the capability to identify and explain the revenue sources of local governments.Criterion 1
Explanation of Revenue Sources and Impact
Evaluates the ability to clearly explain local revenue sources and their effects on services.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a detailed and insightful explanation of local revenue sources, thoroughly discussing their effects on services.
Proficient
3 PointsOffers a clear explanation of revenue sources with adequate discussion on their impact.
Developing
2 PointsProvides some explanation of revenue sources with limited impact analysis.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to explain revenue sources and their impacts.
Reflection Prompts
End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learningQuestion 1
Reflect on your understanding of how conflicts between different levels and branches of government are resolved. How has your perspective changed after completing these activities?
Text
Required
Question 2
To what extent do you agree that the balance of power between state and federal governments is effectively maintained?
Scale
Required
Question 3
Which activity (Constitutional Interpretation Impact Analysis, Local Government Responsibilities, State Government Revenue Sources, Local Government Revenue Sources) was most helpful in understanding the responsibilities and revenue sources of state and local governments? Explain why.
Multiple choice
Required
Options
Constitutional Interpretation Impact Analysis
Local Government Responsibilities
State Government Revenue Sources
Local Government Revenue Sources
Question 4
What challenges did you encounter while researching the responsibilities and revenue sources of state and local governments, and how did you overcome them?
Text
Required
Question 5
How can citizens utilize their understanding of governmental conflicts and revenue sources to engage more effectively in civic life and advocate for their communities?
Text
Required