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9th grade · Social Studies · Unit 3 of 10

Minnesota's Government

State branches, local government and Tribal governments

What your child practices

The powers and operations of Minnesota's government under its constitution: the Legislature, the governor and other statewide officers, the courts, the state budget, counties, cities, townships and school districts, and how Tribal governments work with the state.

Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards benchmark: 9.1.4.7; 9.1.4.8; 9.1.6.3 · the powers and operations of Minnesota's state and local governments, and the governing structures of Tribal Nations in Minnesota

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. The Constitution of the State of Minnesota sets up a Legislature (Senate and House), a governor with a 4-year term, and courts.
  2. Overriding a veto takes a two-thirds vote in each chamber. Eligible voters can register on Election Day.
  3. Counties handle roads, records and social services; cities, townships, school districts and Tribal governments also serve people.

Example: To override a veto, what vote does the Minnesota Legislature need? A veto is hard to undo. It takes two-thirds in each chamber. Answer: two-thirds in each chamber

Minnesota's Government in Minnesota

In the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards, this is unit 3 of 10 in 9th grade Social Studies, after Media & Democracy and before Foundations of Democracy.

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: Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)

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

    Minnesota's state government is organized by the…

    • Magna Carta
    • city charter of Duluth
    • Constitution of the State of Minnesota
    • Articles of Confederation

  2. Question 2

    Minnesota's governor serves a term of…

    • 8 years
    • 6 years
    • 2 years
    • 4 years

  3. Question 3

    Minnesota's Legislature is made up of the Senate and the…

    • House of Representatives
    • Electoral College
    • Supreme Court
    • Cabinet

  4. Question 4

    To amend the Minnesota Constitution, a proposal passed by the Legislature must also be approved by…

    • the voters
    • the US Congress
    • the Supreme Court alone
    • the governor alone

  5. Question 5

    How many members are in the Minnesota House of Representatives?

    • 67
    • 100
    • 134
    • 435

  6. Question 6

    Minnesota passes its state budget for…

    • one week
    • two years at a time
    • a single day
    • ten years

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