Standards:

SS-HS-S.4-GLE.1
1. Research and formulate positions on local, state, and national issues or policies to
participate in a civil society.
Colorado Essential Skill:
Analyze both how and why media messages are constructed, and for what
purposes in order to support a stance or opinion on an issue. (Professional Skills:
Information Literacy)

Measurable outcomes:
Students will be able to:
● Determine biases of article authors and media companies
● Analyze articles to develop an understanding of checks and balances in the United
States government
● Summarize their understanding of articles in a brief haiku

Intro: Crash Course

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bf3CwYCxXw&list=PL2vrmieg9tO1hB4ZNShKGXIB2Y
ACGRquO&index=3

Articles:
● https://theconversation.com/separation-of-powers-an-invitation-to-struggle-110476
● https://theconversation.com/why-disputes-between-congress-and-the-white-house-so-ofte
n-end-up-in-court-150333
● https://www.lawfareblog.com/executive-branch-escalates-its-clash-congress
● https://www.thenation.com/article/society/justice-deferred-racial-equality-supreme-court/
● https://jacobinmag.com/2020/09/abraham-lincoln-supreme-court-slavery
● https://www.laphamsquarterly.org/rule-law/separation-power
Article questions:
1. What does the article title make you think the article will be about?
a. Who is the author? (Google it).
i. Potential biases? Expertise on the subject, if any?
b. Who owns the media company?
i. Potential biases?
2. After reading the article, What are your biggest takeaways?
a. How did you see any potential author or media biases presented in the article?
b. How do you see branches of the government clashing in the article?
3. Write a haiku to summarize the article (turn in at end of class)

Lesson itinerary:
1. Finish supreme court lesson
2. Crash Course Video (9 minutes)
3. Group discussion about branches of government and checks and balances
4. Introduce articles one at a time
5. Ask questions and provide students time to research biases
6. Following each article, write a haiku that summarizes the article (To be turned in at end
of class, read and admired by Daniel, Davis, and Mr. Klagge)