Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum

THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT

Interactive Teaching Unit

Grades 5 - 8

USING DOCUMENTS AND INTERNET RESOURCES

GRADE LEVEL: 5th through 8th

STANDARDS:

• SS1--Understanding principles expressed in the documents shaping constitutional democracy in the United States
• SS3--Understanding principles and processes of governance systems
• SS7--Using tools of social inquiry
• CA3-Reading and evaluating nonfiction works and materials
• CA4-Writing formally
• G1:4-Using technological tools and other resources to locate, select, and organize information

DEVELOPED BY: Kathleen Vest

TECHNICAL AND GRAPHIC DESIGN: Kay Cox

Explanation of Lessons:

• We have provided a series of activities that allow students to gain basic information about the three branches of government and to complete a series of tasks that relate to each branch. The lessons have Internet links where students may find the information needed.
• We have provided worksheets that may be duplicated for class use.
• We have provided specific tasks to assist students in research. (Internet links provided)
• We have provided a How A Bill Becomes A Law game which can be enlarged and pasted inside a file folder so that students may play this with a partner at their desks. You may wish to make several of these games.
• We have provided a Government Crossword Puzzle.
• Finally, we have proposed a series of projects to engage students in a more in-depth study of government.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Teaching Guide

• Our Three Branches of Government: Using Documents and Internet Resources
• How to Use the 3 Branches of Government Materials
• Dictionary of Government Terms
• 3 Branches of Our Government (answers)
• The Balance of Government (answers)
• The Legislative Branch (answers)
• The Judicial Branch (answers)
• Government Crossword Puzzle (answers)

Our 3 Branches & Balance of Power

• 3 Branches of Our Government (information)
• 3 Branches of Our Government (worksheet)
• Congress - Courts--Keeping the Balance (information and questions)
• Congress - President--Keeping the Balance (information and questions)
• The Balance of Government (information)
• The Balance of Government (worksheet)
• How a Bill Becomes a Law (information and tasks)
• The Amendment Process (information)

Legislative Branch

• The Legislative Branch (information and Internet tasks)
• The Legislative Branch (worksheet)
• The Senate--Voice of the States (information and Internet tasks)
• Questions for the Senate--Voice of the States (2 pages of Internet tasks)
• The House of Representatives (information and Internet tasks)
• United States Capitol (information and Internet link to virtual tour)
• How a Bill Becomes a Law (information and tasks)

Executive Branch

• The Executive Branch (information and tasks)
• What a President Can and Cannot Do (information)

Cabinet (Executive Branch)

• Why Does the President Need a Cabinet? (information and tasks)
• The President's Cabinet--Who are the Secretaries? (information and tasks)
• Cabinet Web Sites
• Cabinet Department Presentation (Internet group tasks)
• "A Cabinet Meeting" (simulation activity)

Judicial Branch

• The Judicial Branch (information and questions)
• The Judicial Branch (worksheet)

Puzzles and Games

• Government Crossword Puzzle
• How a Bill Becomes a Law (file folder game)