Branches of Government

Jessica Marrow

• Content Area: Social Studies

• Grade Level: 4th

• Summary: The purpose of this instructional PowerPoint is for students to gain an understanding of the three branches of government to build a solid foundation for future applications.

• Learning Objective: Given facts and interactive activities pertaining to the branches of government, students will identify the roles and functions of the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches with 100% accuracy.

• Content Standard: 4.0: Governance establishes structures of power and authority in order to provide order and stability. Civic efficacy requires understanding rights and responsibilities, ethical behavior, and the role of citizens within their community, nation, and world.

• Accomplishment:4.4.02e. Identify and explain the basic functions of the three branches of state government.

• State Performance Indicator (SPI): 4.4.spi.1. Identify the 3 branches of federal and state governments.

Videos• Watch this BrainPOP about the three branches of government.

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovernmentandlaw/branchesofgovernment/

• You will need to take notes during the video. After the video you will participate in a Think-Pair-Share activity. THINK about the roles of each branch while taking notes PAIR with a partner and collaborate SHARE your thoughts with the class

• Be prepared to share your conclusions with the class.

The Executive Branch• Examine the following website

to determine the roles of the Executive Branch and who makes up this branch. http://www.congressforkids.net/Executivebranch_president.htm

• Discuss the individuals or groups that make up this branch.

• Discuss the roles of this branch.• Discuss facts about this branch.

Approves

Bills

Vetoes Bills

Directs

Military

Makes Foreign Policy

Enforces Laws

President

Vice President

Cabinet

Appoints Federal Judges

ElectedEvery 4Years

The Legislative Branch• Examine the following website

to determine the roles of the Legislative Branch and who makes up this branch. http://www.congressforkids.net/Legislativebranch_index.htm

• Discuss the individuals or groups that make up this branch.

• Discuss the roles of this branch.• Discuss facts about this branch.

CongressSenate

100Members

CreatesBills

Overtu

rns

Vetoes

Impeach

President

DeclaresWar

Has “Power of the Purse”Approve

Presidential

Appointments

House of Representatives

435 Members

Reject

Presidential

Appointments

The Judicial Branch• Examine the following website

to determine the roles of the Judicial Branch and who makes up this branch. http://www.congressforkids.net/Judicialbranch_supremecourt.htm

• Discuss the individuals or groups that make up this branch.

• Discuss the roles of this branch.• Discuss facts about this branch.

Supreme Court

Eight Associate

JusticesChief Justice

Settles Cases

Between States

Determines Court Cases

Interprets

Laws

Decides if Laws

are Constitutional

Decides if

Laws are

UnconstitutionalAppointed

by President

Overturnother Judge Rulings.

Whole Group Practice• Go to the following website to access the interactive activity.

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/usa_game/government/branches_government.htm

• During this activity you should: Self-assess your knowledge Write your answer on a whiteboard Hold up whiteboard when directed Discuss answers when in disagreement

Independent PracticeWhat branch of government is responsible for deciding if laws are constitutional or unconstitutional?

Executive Legislative Judicial

Correct! Good Job!

Keep Going

Independent PracticeThe Executive Branch is responsible for which of the following tasks?

Directing the Military Interpreting the Law Approving Bills Both A and C All of the Above

Correct! Good Job!

Keep Going

Independent PracticeThe U.S. Congress is a bicameral legislature. The ________ is made up of 100 members, and the ________ is made up of 435 members.

House of Representatives; Senate Supreme Court; House of Representatives Senate; Supreme Court Senate; House of Representatives

Correct! Good Job!

Keep Going

Independent Practice

The Judicial Branch is made up of ________ justices?

1 Chief Justice and 10 Associate Justices 2 Chief Justices and 8 Associate Justices 1 Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices 9 Associate Justices

Correct! Good Job!

Keep Going

Incorrect Answer

Click Here to Try Again

Team Review• Go to the following website to access an interactive jeopardy game.

http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/teacher_lessons/3branches/3bgovt.htm

• Split into 2 teams. Each team will be given 10 seconds to discuss the answer and take turns sending one member to the board to answer each question. Alternate between teams as directed in the activity.

• After the activity is finished, each of you will write an exit ticket summarizing the roles and members of the 3 branches. Executive Legislative Judicial

Conclusion/Summary• In this lesson, students will have gained a solid foundation for

understanding the three branches of government. Students will be

able to identify and categorize the various roles and responsibilities

of the branches, as well as the individuals who make up each

branch. Overall, students will have the background knowledge to

apply to the following lesson pertaining to the checks and balances

system used by our government.

• Brain POP http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovernmentandlaw/branchesofgovernment/

• Branch of Government Information http://www.congressforkids.net/Executivebranch_president.htm http://www.congressforkids.net/Legislativebranch_index.htm http://www.congressforkids.net/Judicialbranch_supremecourt.htm

• Interactive Learning Activities/Games http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/usa_game/government/branches_government.htm http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/teacher_lessons/3branches/3bgovt.htm

• Pictures from Google Images (http://images.google.com/) Slide 1: http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-illustration-13166364-patriotic-background.php Slide 2: http://pptgarden.blogspot.com/2011/07/july-4th-celebrate-powerpoint.html Slide 4-6: http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photos-green-leaves-tree-branch-image9863808 http://etechplace.org/clough/?tag=pages Slide 7: http://pptgeeks.com/images/slidegeeks-ecommerce/560x420x1-media/3/law_and_order_law_powerpoint_template_1110_1.jpg

Slides 3-14: http://leightonphotography.photoshelter.com/image/I0000IWs1CfNPgIc Slides 9,11,13,15: http://stjent.pinnaclecart.com/index.php?p=product&id=1182&parent=13&is_print_version=true Slide 18: http://pptgeeks.com/images/slidegeeks-ecommerce/560x420x1-media/3/legal_aid_government_powerpoint_backgrounds_and_templates_1210_1.jpg

• Standards from the Tennessee Department of Education http://www.tn.gov/education/ci/ss/doc/SS_Grade_4.pdf

References