Government · Week 11 · Institutions, Courts, and Federalism
When Levels of Government Disagree
Analyzing how conflicts between state and federal authority are resolved through courts and negotiation and practicing fair steps for resolving a conflict between classmates.
- Students will
- Students explain how conflicts between state and federal authority are resolved through courts and negotiation and discuss the Ninth and Tenth Amendments.
- SEL skill
- Choose a fair first step to repair trust after a disagreement
- What it looks like
- Students practice fair steps for repairing a disagreement and rebuilding trust.
- Content focus
- When levels of government disagree
- Format
- Small group problem-solving
Responsible decision-making
Relationship skills mean talking and listening well, working together, and handling conflict so relationships stay healthy. More responsible decision-making activities
What you get
A teacher guide with what to say, step by step, plus student pages and a supports page for students with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs. Print or Project it, or assign it in Google Forms and Google Docs for Google Classroom. Your first 10 activities are free.
Standards
- 12.7.1: CA History Social Science Content Standard, Grade 12: Principles of American Democracy (standard 12.7, item 1)
- 12.7.4: CA History Social Science Content Standard, Grade 12: Principles of American Democracy (standard 12.7, item 4)
- CA HSS Analysis Skill: HI2 Recognize the complexity of historical causes and effects, including the limits on determining cause and effect. (Historical Interpretation)
- C3 Framework (national): D2.Civ.1.9-12 Distinguish the powers and responsibilities of local, state, tribal, national, and international civic and political institutions.
- Literacy in history: RH.11-12.8 Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author's claims.
Fits these textbook chapters
- Government Alive! Power, Politics, and You, Chapter 4: The United States Constitution
- Government Alive! Power, Politics, and You, Chapter 6: Federalism: National, State, and Local Powers
- Government Alive! Power, Politics, and You, Chapter 14: The Federal Budget
- United States Government and Civics, Chapter 4: Federalism
- United States Government and Civics, Chapter 6: Congressional Powers
- United States Government and Civics, Chapter 13: Federal and State Court Systems
- Magruder's American Government, Chapter 4: Federalism
- Magruder's American Government, Chapter 11: Powers of Congress
Textbook names are used only to help you find activities that fit what you teach. RoseThread Connect is not affiliated with these publishers.
More responsible decision-making activities for Government
- My Rights, Your Rights Responsible decision-makingExploring why enjoying one's own rights requires respecting the rights of others, then deciding how to act fairly when two people's freedoms collide.
- Many Ways to Be Heard Responsible decision-makingExploring voting, petitioning, lobbying, and peaceful assembly as lawful paths to influence and choosing a respectful way to raise one's own voice.
- Direct Democracy in California Responsible decision-makingReading the official arguments for and against a past California ballot measure in a structured academic controversy, then practicing decisions that weigh evidence over first reactions.
Previous: Landmark Cases, Changing Minds · Next: Government Close to Home
RoseThread Connect activities are drafted with the help of AI and shaped by educators. Students never have to share anything personal. Our five SEL skills are informed by CASEL's SEL Framework; RoseThread Learning is not affiliated with or endorsed by CASEL.