Learning goal: Explain why government is needed and how constitutions organize and limit its power.
What to know
Government helps protect rights, organize society, provide security, and deliver services.
The U.S. Constitution begins with “We the People”: government power comes from the people’s consent.
Constitutions establish a framework for government and limits on government power.
At the national level, legislative, executive, and judicial branches have different jobs.
The U.S. Capitol is where Congress—the national legislative branch—meets to make federal laws.
Architect of the Capitol · public domain · image source ↗
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Use the evidence
Congress makes federal laws, the president carries them out, and courts interpret laws. Dividing responsibilities prevents one part from doing every job.
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LESSON 4.2 · SS.3.CG.3.1–SS.3.CG.3.2
Local, State, and National Government
Learning goal: Match public responsibilities to the level of government that usually handles them.
What to know
Local government addresses community needs such as local roads, parks, fire services, and libraries.
State government handles statewide responsibilities such as state roads, state laws, and public education systems.
National government handles matters for the whole country, including national defense and currency.
Levels cooperate, and some services receive support from more than one level.
The U.S. Capitol is where Congress—the national legislative branch—meets to make federal laws.
Architect of the Capitol · public domain · image source ↗
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Use the evidence
A city fire department is local; the Florida governor and legislature work at the state level; Congress and the president serve at the national level.
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LESSON 4.3 · SS.3.CG.2.1–SS.3.CG.2.2
Participation, Voting, and Civic Virtue
Learning goal: Describe how participation and voting help a republic serve its people.
What to know
Citizens participate by voting, volunteering, attending meetings, contacting representatives, and cooperating on community projects.
In a republic, people choose representatives through elections.
Voting communicates citizens’ choices and helps give government consent to act.
Civility, cooperation, volunteerism, and public virtue strengthen community trust.
The U.S. Capitol is where Congress—the national legislative branch—meets to make federal laws.
Architect of the Capitol · public domain · image source ↗
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Use the evidence
A student cannot yet vote, but can research an issue, listen respectfully, write to a representative, or join a supervised community cleanup.
Learning goal: Explain what civic symbols and observances represent instead of only naming them.
What to know
The U.S. Constitution and its 1787 convention and signing represent the nation’s government framework.
Mount Rushmore, Uncle Sam, and the Washington Monument are U.S. symbols named in Grade 3 benchmarks.
Florida’s Great Seal, Declaration of Rights, statehood on March 3, 1845, and key Floridians represent state history and identity.
Patriotic observances remember ideas, service, sacrifice, freedom, and civic achievement.
The U.S. Capitol is where Congress—the national legislative branch—meets to make federal laws.
Architect of the Capitol · public domain · image source ↗
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Use the evidence
Veterans Day recognizes people who served in the armed forces; Constitution Day recalls the signing and meaning of the U.S. Constitution.
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Unit 4 learning map
The school’s learning goals are connected to Florida’s Grade 3 Social Studies benchmarks so ideas are learned in context.
SS.3.CG.1.1–SS.3.CG.1.2 · SS.3.CG.3.1Why Government and Constitutions MatterSS.3.CG.3.1–SS.3.CG.3.2Local, State, and National GovernmentSS.3.CG.2.1–SS.3.CG.2.2Participation, Voting, and Civic VirtueSS.3.CG.2.3–SS.3.CG.2.5 · SS.3.AA.1.1Symbols, People, Events, and Observances
