Introduction
Three Branches of Government
Welcome 5th Graders!
Are you ready for this top secret mission?
Our government has three branches. Think of it like a tree. Each branch is connected to each other and has their own jobs and responsibilities.
Someone has removed the file that contains important information about the branches of government!
Your quest will take you through a number of online resources to discover the following objectives:
- What are the different groups for each branch of government?
- Name the important people in our current branches of government.
- What are their jobs?
- What is the checks and balances system?
Process
Click on the following resources to learn about the three branches of government:
1. Once done viewing each link, get ready to start putting this new knowledge to use!
Infographic of the three branches
https://kids.usa.gov/three-branches-of-government/index.shtml
Brief summaries of the branches
http://www.congressforkids.net/Constitution_threebranches.htm
School house rock video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EISWIY9bG8&app=desktop
More info on the branches of government with additional links for each branch
http://www.rightsofthepeople.com/education/government_for_kids/3-5/government/branches.php
http://mrnussbaum.com/government/
http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/teacher_lessons/3branches/1.htm
http://www.congressforkids.net/Constitution_checksandbalances.htm
2. Your country needs you to answer the following questions while you investigate the three branches of government. You must discover these questions below. Record your findings in a secret journal, to be seen by no one else! Answer the following:
- What are the different groups for each branch of government? What are their individual responsibilites?
- Name the important people in our current branches of government. How are the leaders chosen?
- What role do they play in the checks and balances system?
3. Complete the worksheet below. Filling in information for each branch of the government.
4. Present your secret journal and worksheet to your teacher.
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Evaluation
Webquest Rubric
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|
0 points |
2 points |
5 points |
|
Students are able to identify the different groups for each branch of government. |
Students cannot correctly identify any groups within the branches of government. |
Students can correctly identify 1-3 groups within the government. |
Students can correctly identify 4-5 groups within in the different branches of government. |
|
Students can correctly identify the individual responsibilities within the different branches. |
Students can correctly identify 1 or less individual responsibilities. |
Students can correctly identify 2-3 individual responsibilities. |
Students can correctly identify 4-5 individual responsibilities. |
|
Students can name the important people in our current branches of Government. |
Student can name the President and Vice President. |
Student can name President, Vice President, and Secretary of State. |
Student can name President, Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and the Supreme Court, and Senate and House of Representatives |
|
Student can identify how leaders are chosen. |
Student cannot identify how leaders are chosen. |
Students can identify part of how leaders are chosen. |
Students can correctly identify how leaders are chosen. |
|
Students can identify the role of checks and balances. |
Students cannot correctly identify the role of checks and balances. |
Students can correctly identify the role of checks and balances in our government. |
Students can correctly identify the role of checks and balances in our government with 1 example. |
Conclusion
Congratulations! You now know all the top secret information about the important roles of each branch of the government. You are now able to:
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identify groups, important people, and jobs for each branch of the government.
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describe the checks and balances system for the three branches of government.
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navigate and use technology to acquire knowledge and promote learning.
You were spectacular! If we are ever in need of someone to solve a top secret case, we know who to contact!
*Follow up activity: Create a SeeSaw video explaining the three branches of government. Share this with your classmates.
Teacher Page
How to use this lesson:
In order for students to succesfully complete the lesson, you will need to provide students with some background knowledge and teach students how to correctly use a webquest for learning.
Put students into groups to complete this task. Students will also need approximately at least two days to work on their research, journals and worksheet.
To further expand upon learning students can make an infographic of their own on their findings.
Student Objectives:
Students will be able to identify groups, important people, and jobs for each branch of the government.
Students will be able to describe the checks and balances system for the three branches of government.
Students will be able to navigate and use technology to acquire knowledge and promote learning.
TEKS:
Grade 5
(16) Government. The student understands the framework of government created by the U.S. Constitution of 1787. The student is expected to:
(A) identify and explain the basic functions of the three branches of government;
ISTE Standards:
Standard 1- 1. Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity
a. Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness
AASL Standards:
The continuing expansion of information demands that all individuals acquire the thinking skills that will enable them to learn on their own. The amount of information available to our learners necessitates that each individual acquire the skills to select, evaluate, and use information appropriately and effectively.