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9th grade · Social Studies · Unit 7 of 9

The Alaska Constitution

Three branches, resources, rights and who provides services

What your child practices

How the Alaska Constitution organizes government: the 1955–56 convention, separation of powers and federalism, a strong Governor, the merit selection of judges, the resources article and right to privacy, and the services local, state and Tribal governments provide.

Alaska content standards learning standard: SS.9-12.9.1; SS.AKH.5.8.1; SS.9-12.9.9 · how the Alaska Constitution creates three branches with limited powers and its unique features, and the services of local, state and Tribal governments

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. 55 delegates wrote the Alaska Constitution in 1955–56. It sets up three branches and limited government.
  2. Alaska’s Governor is strong, appointing most department heads. Citizens can pass laws by initiative.
  3. It adds a right to privacy and a resources article. Local, state and Tribal governments, like Tribal health organizations, provide services.

Example: Which right does the Alaska Constitution state that the US Constitution does not? The US Constitution never names this right directly. Alaska’s says it plainly: privacy. Answer: privacy

The Alaska Constitution in Alaska

In the Alaska content standards, this is unit 7 of 9 in 9th grade Social Studies, after Rights & Responsibilities and before Land, Statehood & ANCSA.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Which Alaska constitutional provision lets citizens pass laws directly?

    • the pardon
    • the initiative
    • the veto

  2. Question 2

    Unlike the US Constitution, the Alaska Constitution says Alaskans have a right to…

    • free housing
    • a free car
    • privacy

  3. Question 3

    Limited government means…

    • the government can only do what the constitution allows
    • the government has no rules
    • only one person decides

  4. Question 4

    The meeting that wrote the Alaska Constitution is called the…

    • Continental Congress
    • Constitutional Convention
    • Tribal Summit

  5. Question 5

    Which service is provided by the federal government?

    • the Coast Guard and the mail
    • borough property tax
    • city snow plowing

  6. Question 6

    Who chooses the people who redraw Alaska's legislative districts after each census?

    • a five-member redistricting board
    • the Supreme Court alone
    • the Governor alone

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