Unit: Foundations of American Democracy Lesson # in unit: 10 Topic: Federalism Wrap-Up + Federalism in Action

Content Objectives:
13. What obligations do the states have to each other and to the federal government?
17. How have the U.S. Supreme Court interpretations McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) and United States v. Lopez
(1995) influenced the debate over the balance of power between the national and state governments?
18. What are the advantages and disadvantages of federalism?
19. What influence should the federal government have over state and local issues such as education, affirmative
action, abortion, and the environment?

Assessment:
Unit 1 exam, class discussion

Standards:
CON-2.A.1: The exclusive and concurrent powers of the national and state governments help explain the
negotiations over the balance of power between the two levels.

CON-2.A.2: The distribution of power between federal and state governments to meet the needs of society
changes, as reflected by grants, incentives, and aid programs, including federal revenue sharing, mandates,
categorical grants, and block grants.

CON-2.B.1: The interpretation of the Tenth and Fourteenth Amendments, the commerce clause, the necessary
and proper clause, and other enumerated and implied powers is at the heart of the debate over the balance of
power between the national and state governments.

CON-2.B.2: The balance of power between the national and state

governments has changed over time based on U.S. Supreme Court
interpretation of such cases as:
 McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), which declared that Congress has implied powers necessary to implement
its enumerated powers and established
 United States v. Lopez (1995), which ruled that Congress may not use the commerce clause to make
possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime, introducing a new phase of federalism that
recognized the importance of state sovereignty and local control

CON-1.C.3: The compromises necessary to secure ratification of the Constitution left some matters unresolved
that continue to generate discussion and debate today.

CON-1.C.4: The debate over the role of the central government, the powers of state governments, and the rights
of individuals remains at the heart of present-day constitutional issues about democracy and governmental
power, as represented by:
 Debates about government surveillance resulting from the federal government’s response to the 9/11
attacks
 The debate about the role of the federal government in public school education
Lesson Agenda: (84 minute block period)
5 min Bell work

Federalism Wrap-Up
 Direct students to get out their state vs. federal powers Venn diagram—they should
8 min
have finished this as homework.
 Project a correct completed Venn diagram and direct students to check their answers.
FRQ Review
 Students have previously learned the parts of an argumentative essay FRQ. Have
7 min students turn to a partner and describe:
o What is a thesis statement, and what goes in it?
o What elements must be in a body paragraph?
 10 min Brain Boost

Federalism & Public Policy

 Students will discuss a policy topic demonstrating the debate at the heart of federalism
today.
5 min
 Introduce the possible topics for students to choose from first, giving a “teaser” for
each potential topic they might choose.
 Each small group (3-4 students) will determine what topic they want to discuss.

Students will read the article for the topic they chose and move through the discussion
45 min questions at their own pace. Students should submit their individual answers to the takeaway
questions on Canvas before they leave class.
Materials: Canvas:

 PowerPoint  Federalism & Public Policy assignment

Federalism & Public Policy – Small Group Discussion:
1. Read the article below on the topic your chose.
 Government Response to Antiracist Protests - Oregon, federal government reach deal
for withdrawal of agents from Portland
 Legalization of Marijuana - The Great American cannabis experiment
 Abortion Access - What’s next for abortion legislation in the U.S.?
 Coronavirus Restrictions - See How All 50 States Are Reopening (and Closing Again)

2. Discuss the following questions with your group. Type up your answers and submit them to
this dropbox.

Comprehension
1. How have different states responded differently to this issue?
2. Why might different states create different policy in response to this issue?

Connecting to Content
3. How is the tension inherent in federalism evident in this issue?
4. List at least 3 arguments for why state governments to control this policy area. (Refer
to your federal vs. state powers Venn diagram if necessary.)
5. List at least 3 arguments for why the federal government to control this policy area.
(Refer to your federal vs. state powers Venn diagram if necessary.)

Personal Opinion
6. Write a thesis statement in which you take a stance on whether the federal government
or state governments should have more control in this policy area. Be sure to include a
line of reasoning to support your stance.
7. Write a body paragraph (with the TEA) in support of your thesis statement for #6.
8. What kind of policy would you like to see the federal/state governments pass in this
area? Why?

Media Literacy – Identifying Bias

9. What do you think the author of the article wants the federal/state governments to do?
How do you know?