When studying U.S. History particularly, it's helpful for students to understand the differences between the powers of the governments that exist within a country. In this activity, students will create a T-Chart that compares and contrasts the powers of federal and state governments. While both governments are a part of the same country, it's very clear that not all of the states are governed the same from the state level. This power difference can be interesting for students to investigate.
Students should either choose or be assigned one of the fifty U.S states and compare the powers delegated to that state with those of the federal government. Students should represent three powers reserved to each of the respective governments. Listed below is a helpful reference to differentiate between some of the powers reserved to states and the federal government.
Teachers may wish for students to work together on this lesson which is possible with Storyboard That's Real Time Collaboration feature! With Real Time Collaboration, students can work on the same storyboard at the same time which is perfect for this lesson! As teachers know, collaborating on assignments allows students to think on a deeper level while increasing their communication and problem-solving skills. Collaboration can also help cut down on the time it takes to complete a storyboard. While there is no set limit to the number of users who can work on a storyboard at once, we recommend five users or fewer for optimal performance. All of our assignments default to individual. To make this lesson collaborative, teachers must enable collaboration for the assignment within the "Edit Assignment" tab.
Students should either create an additional T-Chart, or add to the one from the activity that represents the differing laws between two states. Some of the potential topics for these laws:
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a T Chart that compares and contrasts the powers of federal and state governments.
Engage students by dividing the class into two teams—one representing the federal government and the other representing state governments. Assign each team to research and present arguments about why their level of government should have more authority over certain issues, such as education or healthcare. This interactive approach encourages critical thinking and helps students understand real-world applications of federalism.
Clarify each student's role by assigning positions like opening speaker, researcher, or rebuttal leader. Provide a rubric or checklist outlining how students will be evaluated, emphasizing respectful discourse and evidence-based arguments. This structure ensures all students are involved and know what is expected.
Support student preparation by sharing sample questions and prompts such as, "Who should set education standards?" or "Who should control transportation regulations?" Encourage students to use facts from their T-Chart and the U.S. Constitution to back up their points.
Moderate the discussion to ensure all voices are heard and the debate stays on topic. Prompt students to respond directly to opposing arguments and to summarize what they've heard before making their own points. This builds critical thinking and respectful speaking skills.
Wrap up the activity by leading a class discussion on how federalism impacts students' lives today. Encourage students to share examples from current events or their own experiences where state and federal powers overlap or conflict. This helps make the lesson meaningful and memorable.
Federalism in the United States is a system where power is shared between the national (federal) government and individual state governments. This impacts how laws are made, giving certain powers to the federal government—like coining money and declaring war—and others to the states, such as managing schools and local laws.
To create a T-Chart, draw two columns: one for federal government powers and one for state government powers. List examples like 'Declare War' under federal and 'Regulate State Commerce' under state. Add illustrations for each power to help visualize the differences.
Federal government powers include coining money, declaring war, and establishing the postal system. State government powers include creating schools, regulating state commerce, and establishing local governments. The 10th Amendment reserves all other powers to the states or the people.
Understanding the difference helps students see how laws and policies can vary between states and the federal government. This knowledge is crucial for grasping how government functions, why certain laws exist only in some places, and the role of the 10th Amendment.
Teachers can use real-time collaboration tools to let students work together on T-Charts. Assigning different states or topics for comparison, encouraging discussion, and using visual aids like storyboards or group activities can make learning about federalism more interactive and fun.