The United States Government:

Grade Level: 5 
Curriculum: Social Studies 
Keywords: Branches of Government, Legislative, Executive, Judicial,  United States, Government 
Author: Ms. Schahczinski

Imagine living in a country that is run by a monarchy.  A monarchy is a system of government that is ruled by one person.  The person is usually called a king or queen.  Whatever they said or wanted happened and the people could not disagree with their decisions.  That's what happened under England rule until the United States of America declared their independence in 1776 by issuing the Declaration of Independence.

The United States then had to create its own government. They decided on to have the government based on federalism.  This meant that the power is shared between the national and state/ local governments.  There were three branches of power that were created the Legislative Branch, Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch.  Each checks over one another and balances out the powers so no branch becomes too big and turns into a monarchy.

Overview:

Students are divided into three groups; each group will have their own set of questions to fill out on the worksheet to guide their research for the final project using PowerPoint.  Students will be learning about all three branches while focusing on one with a partner.  Then, those students will join two other groups with different branches to further their learning about the United States Government.  After completing the WebQuest students will pair up and discuss the questions and their answers from the worksheet with the other two groups.  This information obtained from all the groups will be used for the final project on PowerPoint to complete further understanding of the three branches of government.  

Students will:

1.  Work in pairs that the teacher assigned and complete the worksheet using the WebQuest Activity about the branches of government.

2. Students will then be regrouped according to the teacher and comparing their worksheets sharing and discussing with one another the information they found.

3. Students will then create a PowerPoint using the information and explaining the importance of the three branches, how they work together, what each branch does, and how they check and balance one another.

Worksheet questions are below (printed copy provided by teacher):

WebQuest Worksheet/ PowerPoint Questions

Name: __________________________________                Group Letter: ______________

1. What does your branch do?  Does it have any power over the other branches? Explain and use details from your research.

      2. What positions are there and who is in charge?

      3. How do people get these jobs?

      4. Is there a time limit in these job positions?  Can a person work there forever?

      5. Who checks the branch so it does not become too powerful?

What are we doing today?

By doing this WebQuest it will help you gain a better understanding of the three branches.  This WebQuest will also provide answers to the questions on the worksheet that will be used for your final project.

Step 1:  This video will give you more information on each branch of government.  Be sure to pause the video to write down information for your worksheet.

Use the "CC" closed captioning button while the video is being played to see the words that are used in the video.  

See picture below for help.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlxpQmYdwZY]

Helpful Definitions:

The Three Branches of Government Delegates at the Constitutional Convention also wanted to divide power within the federal government. They did not want these powers to be controlled by just one man or one group. The delegates were afraid that if a small group received too much power, the United States would wind up under the rule of another dictator or tyrant. To avoid the risk of dictatorship or tyranny, the group divided the new government into three parts, or branches: the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch. Executive Branch:Headed by the president. The president carries out federal laws and recommends new ones, directs national defense and foreign policy, and performs ceremonial duties. Powers include directing government, commanding the Armed Forces, dealing with international powers, acting as chief law enforcement officer, and vetoing laws.     Legislative Branch:Headed by Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. The main task of these two bodies is to make the laws. Its powers include passing laws, originating spending bills (House), impeaching officials (Senate), and approving treaties (Senate).     Judicial Branch:Headed by the Supreme Court. Its powers include interpreting the Constitution, reviewing laws, and deciding cases involving states' rights.

After watching, discuss with your partner:  What branch of government would you like to work in and why?

Step 2: Click on the links that are assigned for your group and add important information to the worksheet provided.

Group L:  Legislative Branch

https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/legislative-branch

http://www.congressforkids.net/Legislativebranch_index.htm

https://www.congress.gov/legislative-process                

(Watch the overview of the legeslative process, house floor, and senate floor)

Group E:  Executive Branch:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/executive-branch

http://www.congressforkids.net/Executivebranch_president_fun.htm

Group J:  Judicial Branch:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/judicial-branch

http://www.congressforkids.net/Judicialbranch_index.htm

Step 3:  When done gathering information ask your teacher for your other group members and begin to share information.

Example:

Group L. will be paired with Group E. and Group J.

Group E. will be paired with Group L. and Group J.

Group J. will be paired with Group L. and Group E.

This information will go into a PowerPoint explaining the questions on the worksheet.

This PowerPoint will be created by the entire group covering the worksheet questions and the "final image" below.

Explain what this diagram means in your presentation based on the information found from the WebQuest:

Grading Rubric for the Entire Unit:

• Be sure to provide detail and show comprehension of the subject!
• Be Creative!
• Have Fun!

What have we Learned?

In this lesson, you learned about the three different branches and how they check and balance each other.  There can be no branch that gains too much power or has too little of authority they all work together to get the job done.

Working in groups we have also worked on our communication skills and time management skills.  These are very important in not only school, but in life.

After completeing the project and presenting it to the class you may sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of your classmates presentations and see what they found.

Feel free to ask any additional questions to the presenters, classmates, and/or your teacher!

:)

For additional resources:

• There are plenty of books on the three branches and our government in the school library.
• Visit Government: The Captial/ Local Government (offices such as the mayors office)
• Try running for student government at school or join the government club!
• Washington D.C. Trip in 8th grade coming up keep it on your calander!

Sources:

http://www.congressforkids.net/Constitution_threebranches.htm

http://www.cpalms.org/Public/

http://www.youtube.com

https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/legislative-branch

https://www.congress.gov/legislative-process   

Teacher Notes/ Before Assignment:

Created by Ms. Schahczinski

Students will need prior knowledge of how to use PowerPoint for their final project.  Teacher will group students into three groups:

L. Legislative, E. Executive, and J. Judicial each group having two partners taking into consideration when pairing ELL Levels and ESE students.  Pairing will consist of general education student with an ELL or ESE depending on how many are in the particular classroom.  This unit is designed to have structure to help all students on the assignment.  There are explicit instructions and video features that have captains. Students are able to replay videos and pause them as they feel necessary.  In addition, there are definitions to assist the students further.  This provides a scaffold for instruction that is taking place before the project at the end of the unit.

This unit will take at least three class days: one day to complete the webquest, another day for discussion with the regrouping of all the branches, and the final day to work on the project.  An additional day may be added to have students present the information they put together on the PowerPoint.

Standard:

LAFS.5.RI.1.3

Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.

Access Points:

Independent

• SS.5.C.3.In.a: Recognize that the three branches of the United States government have separate powers.

• SS.5.C.3.Su.a: Recognize the three branches of the United States government.

• SS.5.C.3.Pa.a: Recognize the United States has a government.