1. Constitution This document establishes the basic principles of the American government. Power and duties are divided amongst the three branches of government Executive Judicial Legislative

2. Executive Branch President Vice President Departments Independent / Agencies

4. Legislative Branch Congress House of Representatives Senate

6. Judicial Branch The judicial branch of government is made up of the court system. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. Courts decide arguments about the meaning of laws, how they are applied, and whether they break the rules of the Constitution.

10. Essential /Unit /Content Content Question What are the branches of Government? What is the election process? Who makes the laws? Why is it important to vote? Name the two major political parties in the U.S. The U.S.Congress is made up of what two bodies?? Content Questions The Present belongs to what Branch? What is a Bill? What is a Democracy? Can anyone vote in an election? What is the role of the Supreme Court? How many Representatives does Massachusetts have in the House of Representatives? Why do we have three branches of government? Unit Questions What makes up our Government? Essential Questions