This Unit Includes the Following MN Social Studies Standards Benchmarks

• Explain the relationship among the three branches of government: making laws by the legislative branch, implementing and enforcing laws by the executive branch, and interpreting laws by the judicial branch.
• Explain the relationship among the three branches of government: making laws by the legislative branch, implementing and enforcing laws by the executive branch, and interpreting laws by the judicial branch.
• Define federalism and describe the relationship between the powers of the federal and state governments.
• Describe how laws are created; explain the differences between civil and criminal law; give examples of federal, state and local laws.
• Describe how laws are created; explain the differences between civil and criminal law; give examples of federal, state and local laws.
• Identify the major state and local (county, city, schoolboard, township) governmental offices; describe the primary duties associated with them.
• Compare and contrast the basic structures, functions and ways of funding state and local governments.
• Describe the goals, offenses, penalties, long-term consequences, and privacy concerns of Minnesota's juvenile justice sytem.
• Evaluate arguments about selected issues from diverse perspectives and frames of reference, noting the strenghs, weaknesses and consequences associated with the decision made on each issue. 
• Use graphic data to analyze information about a public issue in state or local government.
• Address a state or local policy issue by identifying key opposing positions, determining conflicting values and beliefs, defending and justifying a position with evidence, and developing strategies to persuade others to adopt this position. 
• Describe the establishment and expansion of rights over time, including the impact of key court cases, state legislation and constitutional amendments. 
• Identify the purpose of Minnesota's Constitution; explain how the Minnesota Constitution organizes government and protects rights.