The Three Branches of Government

published on: 7/1/2009

Contributing Teacher(s): Dottie Messick

Subject Area: Social Studies/Government/Civics

Grade Range: Lower Elementary (K-3)

Materials Needed:

• Paper Plates 
• Yarn 
• Paper Hole Punch 
• Crayons 
• Pencil 
• Computer with internet 
• Branches of Government Notes and power point

Objective: Students will:

1. Identify the three branches of government
2. Identify the head and job of each branch of government
3. Label and organize information to make a mobile

Essential Question:

1. Is it necessary to have the three branches of government?

Instructional Strategy: Evaluating Student Understanding

Process Standards:

• Goal 1.5 comprehend and evaluate written, visual and oral presentations and works
• Goal 1.8 organize data, information and ideas into useful forms (including charts, graphs, outlines)

Content Standards:

• Social Studies 3. Principles and processes of governance systems

  Time Allowance: 2/30 minute periods and 1 hour period

  Technological Resources:
  

  1. Computer with internet
  2. Smart Board (recommended)

  Extensions:
  Students can be given a formal test after the project.

  Integration:
  Integration with art (mobile).

  Differentiation:
  

  1. Students may be given their notes to highlight.
  2. Students may take their own notes.

  Description: Students learn about the three branches of government. Students organize the information to make a mobile.

  Comments:
  

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  Classroom Component:

  Please click here for the PowerPoint Presentation

  Instructional Strategy:

  • Evaluating Student Understanding

  Teacher Prerequisites:

  • Teacher need to prepare a power point, be a member of brain pop and gather materials needed for the mobile.

  G.L.E.:

  • Social Studies 3 -2 C Identify and explain the functions of the three branches of government in the federal government.

  Day One

  1. Show the students the Three Branch of Government brain pop on http://www.brainpop.com/
  2. Take the brain pop quiz after showing the video.
  3. Students with special needs may need help reading the quiz or extra time to take the quiz.

  Day Two

  1. Show a power point presentation to the students.
  2. Have students fill in notes while watching the presentation.
  3. Students with special needs may have completed notes and follow along with the class.
  4. Gifted students may take their own notes and not be provided with notes.

  Day Three

  1. Have students make a mobile using the information they have learned over the three branches of government.
  2. The students need label each branch of government on a plate.
  3. The students need to include the branch job and who is the head of each branch on each plate.
  4. The students need to include a title plate.
  5. Use the scoring rubric to grade the mobiles.
  6. Students with special needs may need more time to complete the project.
  7. Gifted students may research other facts about the branches of government and include that information on their mobile.

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  Three Branches of Government Notes

  1. The ___________________ branch is the Congress of the United States.

  It is made up of the ____________________________________ and ________________________.

  This branch makes the __________________.

  2. The ________________________ branch carries out the _____________.

  The ______________________ heads this branch.

  3. The _________________________ branch is made up of the courts.

  The ________________________ court is the head of this branch.

  This branch decides what the laws ____________ and whether they _____________ the Constitution.

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  Branches of Government Mobile Rubric

  Student Name ______________________________________

  Category	3 points	2 points	1 point	0 points
  Label branches	Includes three branches of government	Includes only 2 branches of government	Includes only 1 branch of government	Does not include any branches of government
  Label head of branch	Includes head of 3 branches	Includes head of only 2 branches	Includes only head of 1 branch	Does not include the head of any branch
  Label job of each branch	Includes the job of 3 branches	Includes the job of only 2 branches	Includes job of only 1 branch	Does not include the head of any branch
  Title	Includes a title plate			Does not include a title plate

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  For additional information contact :
  Dottie Messick
  North Andrew Elem.
  North Andrew Co. R-VI
  (816) 567-2527
  EMAIL: dmessick@northandrew.org