Standard 3 : Structure and Functions of Government



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General Information

Number: SS.4.CG.3
Title: Structure and Functions of Government
Type: Standard
Subject: Social Studies
Grade: 4
Strand: Civics and Government

Related Benchmarks

This cluster includes the following benchmarks
Code Description
SS.4.CG.3.1: Explain the structure and functions of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government in Florida.
Clarifications:

Clarification 1: Students will compare the powers of Florida’s three branches of government.

Clarification 2: Students will explain how the Declaration of Rights in the Florida Constitution protects the rights of citizens.

SS.4.CG.3.2: Compare the structure, functions and processes of local and state government.
Clarifications:
Clarification 1: Students will identify how government is organized at the local and state level including, but not limited to, legislative branch (e.g., legislature, city/county commission), executive branch (e.g., governor, mayor) and judicial branch (e.g., county and circuit courts).


Related Access Points

This cluster includes the following access points.

Access Points

Access Point Number Access Point Title
SS.4.CG.3.AP.1: Recognize Florida's three branches of government, including legislative (makes laws), judicial (interprets laws), and executive (enforces laws).
SS.4.CG.3.AP.2: Identify the structures of local and state governments.


Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this topic.

Lesson Plans

Name Description
Getting to Know the Branches of Florida Government:

In this lesson, students will use word maps to differentiate between the three branches of government and become more familiar with the vocabulary. They will be tasked with creating a short comic strip depicted themselves teaching their understanding.

Florida's Three Branches of Government: Part 2:

This is Part 2 of a two-part lesson series where students explain the structure and function of Florida’s three branches of government while placing the contributions of significant individuals to Florida on a timeline. The students will also write an expository paragraph/essay explaining Florida's three branches of government.

Florida's Three Branches of Government: Part 1:

This is Part 1 of a two-part lesson series where students explain the structure and function of Florida’s three branches of government while understanding the contributions of significant individuals to Florida.

Florida: Branches of the Government:

This is lesson five of a civics integration unit that covers the text Florida by Tamra Orr. Students will record and analyze text features as they gain knowledge regarding the purposes and functions of the branches of government in this lesson.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Our Florida Government: 3=1!:

In this lesson plan, students learn about the three branches of government in Florida. They will learn about the structure, function, and powers of each. Also, the branches will be compared to the federal branches of government.

Majority Rules:

Students will use the benchmark fraction ½ to estimate and compare fractions and make a connection to achieving a simple majority when voting during this integrated lesson.

Teaching Idea

Name Description
Grade 4 Civics Family Guide: Standard 3:

This Grade 4 Civics Family Guide provides some ideas and activities to support civics education when at home, out and about, and in the community. The activities provided align to the civics learning benchmarks within Standard 3 at this grade level.



Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this topic.

Lesson Plan

Title Description
Florida: Branches of the Government:

This is lesson five of a civics integration unit that covers the text Florida by Tamra Orr. Students will record and analyze text features as they gain knowledge regarding the purposes and functions of the branches of government in this lesson.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.



Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this topic.

Teaching Idea

Title Description
Grade 4 Civics Family Guide: Standard 3:

This Grade 4 Civics Family Guide provides some ideas and activities to support civics education when at home, out and about, and in the community. The activities provided align to the civics learning benchmarks within Standard 3 at this grade level.