A cohesive two-lesson sequence designed to teach critical literacy and civics. Lesson 1 focuses on deciphering tone and mood using specialized scaffolding for diverse learners, and Lesson 2 explores the structural division of state and federal power through readings, reflection, and historical case studies.
Analyze Brown v. Board of Education. School regulation is a Reserved Power, but the Supreme Court's ruling ordered integration.
Language Scaffold Frame for Writing: "The federal government used the 'power of the purse' by __________ to force states to obey the desegregation law." "I think the federal government had a right to intervene because __________." OR "I think the federal government did not have a right because __________."
5. Exit Ticket & Wrap Up (10 Mins) 50-60 mins
Complete the 4-question Exit Ticket. For lower WIDA levels, allow bullet-point descriptions or drawing examples next to the terms.
High School ESL Social Studies Accommodations
Concept Organizers: Provide structured tables to categorize concrete real-world actions like "declaring war" vs "schools".
Bilingual Glossaries: Keep definitions on the board alongside key translations of legal terms.
Targeted Grouping: Utilize mixed WIDA proficiency groupings so newer students have language models.
Graphic Vocabulary: Use symbols (like coins, a scale, or a shield) alongside words to clarify meaning.
Words and Power Sequence — Lesson 2 Page 2 of 2
Classroom Summary Check-out
Division of Powers Cheat Sheet
Federal (US)
Both (Shared)
State (NJ)
• Enumerated Powers
• Concurrent Powers
• Reserved Powers
• Declare War
• Coin Money
• Build Roads
• Establish Courts
• Schools & Education
• Conduct Elections
Voice and Power Sequence Slide 6 of 6
Marginal Notes / Summaries
Civics and Power Sequence — Lesson 2 Page 2 of 4
Assignment: DN/CW/ET 31.1
Powers Breakdown & Comprehension
Vocabulary & Analysis
Enumerated Powers
Specific powers granted to the federal government by the Constitution (Article I, Section 8).
Level: US Government
Ex: Declare war, Coin money
Concurrent Powers
Powers shared by both the federal and state levels to run society simultaneously.
Level: Shared (Both)
Ex: Build roads, Establish courts
Reserved Powers
Powers kept by individual states. Cannot violate federal laws.
Level: State Government
Ex: Schools, Elections, Housing
Directions: Using your notes from the reading, select the correct option for every question.
1. Why is the power of the US government divided among the 3 branches?
A) Make one branch more powerful than others
B) Ensure no branch becomes too powerful
C) Eliminate the need for state governments
2. What are Enumerated Powers and where are they listed?
A) Specific powers listed in Article I, Sec 8
B) Executive branch powers listed in Bill of Rights
C) Reserved state powers in Declaration of Ind.
3. Which type of powers are shared by both governments?
A) Enumerated Powers
B) Reserved Powers
C) Concurrent Powers
4. What are reserved powers of States?
A) Right to pass any laws without limits
B) Submitting laws to federal reserves to approve
C) Right to pass laws if they don't block federal laws
Power Sorter Organizer
Part 1 Word Bank: Enumerated Powers, Reserved Powers, Concurrent Powers
Part 2 Word Bank: Building Roads, Conducting Elections, Declaring War, Establish Courts, Coin Money
Section
Federal (US)
Both
State (NJ)
Part 1: Power Type
___________________
___________________
___________________
Part 2: Examples
___________________
___________________
___________________
Civics and Power Sequence — Lesson 2 Page 3 of 4
Assignment: DN/CW/ET 31.1
Sovereignty Struggle & Exit Ticket
Case Study & Assessment
Historical Case Study: Desegregation in Schools
When the federal US government mandated the desegregation of schools through the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision in 1954, it sparked a clash with states that supported segregation. This clash exemplified the tension between the federal government's authority to uphold civil rights and individual states' rights to govern education within their borders.
Despite the principle of states' rights, the federal government played a significant role in influencing decisions made by states regarding school desegregation. Per the Constitution, one of the Reserved Powers of states is to regulate education, which means that it was technically up to each individual state to decide if they wanted to desegregate schools after the Brown v Board decision.
One of the tools the federal government used to over-power the decisions of states who did not want to desegregate was federal funding. Every year, states receive money from the US government to help run their schools, so the federal government threatened to withhold funding from states that refused to desegregate. This showcased how the federal government can use its power to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all citizens, even when facing resistance from state governments.
1. How did the US federal government get states to comply with orders to desegregate schools?
2. Do you think the federal government had a right to intervene in state's decisions to desegregate?
Exit Ticket
1. What is separation of powers and why is it important?
2. What are Expressed (Enumerated) Powers? (In your own words)
3. What are Reserved Powers of States? (In your own words)
4. What are Concurrent Powers? (In your own words)
