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3 Branches of Government

Lesson Targets

Students will be able to explain the major responsibilities of each of the 3 branches of government in Ohio and United States.

Lesson Overview

You will watch some fun videos on the branches of government and their powers. You will then use the information below to identify the responsibilities of each branch. At the end you will play a game matching the responsibilities to the correct branch of government. Have fun!

Task #1

Click on and watch the videos below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLQg7G3hkGY School rock video on the branches of government.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQMZ2PT7kr0&feature=relatedn

 Video on the powers of the state and federal governments.

Task #2

Read the information below on each of the branched of government.

Branches of Government

The Founding Fathers,the framers of theConstitution, wanted to form a government that did not allow one person to have too muchauthority or control. While under the rule of the British king they learnedthat this could be a bad system. Yet government under the Articles of Confederation taught them that there was a need for a strong centralized government.

With this in mind the framers wrote the Constitution toprovide for a separation of powers, or three separate branches of government. Each has its own responsibilities and at the same time they work together to make the country run smoothly and to assure that the rights of citizens are not ignored or disallowed. This is done through checks and balances. A branch may use its powers to check the powers of the other two in order to maintain a balance of power among the three branches of government.

The three branches of the U.S. Government are the legislative, executive, and judicial. A complete diagram of the branches of the U.S. Government may be found in the U.S.Government Manual(PDF).

Click on each of the branches below:

Task #3

Click on the sites below and play the games:

http://www.quia.com/rr/103659.html

http://www.texaslre.org/branches_game/branches_game.html

Task #4

On a sheet of paper complete the quiz below and turn it in to Mrs. Gilberg when your return to school.

1. Which branch of government is the President a part of?
1. Judicial
2. Executive
3. Legislative

2. Which of the following makes up the Legislative Branch?
1. Congress
2. The President
3. The Supreme Court

3. The Supreme Court is part of which branch of government?

           a. Executive         

                 b .Legislative

           c. Judicial

4. The President has the power to declare war?

          a. True

          b. False

5. This branch is responsible for setting up lower courts.

                a. .Judicial

                b. Executive

    c. Legislative

6. This branch interprets the law
1. Judical
2. Legistative
3. Executive

      7.

               a.Which is a power that the Executive Branch has?

               b. Appoint justices to the Supreme Court

               c. Check that the law agrees with the Constitution

               d. Create and maintain the monetary system

8. Which is a power that the legislative branch has?
1. Serve as Commander-in Chief
2. Oversee agencies and departments
3. Make new laws and change existing one

      9.  Which is a power that the judicial branch has?

1. Set up courts lower than the Supreme Court.
2. Maintain armed forces and declare war.
3. Settle disputes between people, groups and states

Remember you have 2 weeks after we have our e-Day to finish your lessons.