At a Glance:
| Grades: | 5 |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Civics; Social Studies |
| Topic: | How the U.S. Government Works |
| Lesson Length: | 45 - 60 mins |
Standards / Framework:
What will students learn in this activity?
Students will learn how each branch of government plays a role in making sure another branch does not become too powerful using a system of checks and balances.
What should students know before this activity?
It helps for students to have an understanding of the function of each of the threee branches of government. Terms to know: democracy, constitution, founders, legislative, executive, judicial.
How can teachers introduce this lesson?
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Discuss power and authority in daily life.
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What happens when someone in your family, like a cousin or sibling, tries to tell you what to do?
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Do you like it when your brother or sister act like your parents?
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How do you feel when a classmate tries to dictate the rules to you?
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- Read and discuss the sample comic pertaining to the three branches of government. Explain how a system of “checks and balances” is in place so that one branch of government doesn’t get too powerful.
What will students do?
- Have students select two of the three branches of government.
- Using the sample comic as a guide, have them illustrate how the two branches selected use a system of checks and balances to ensure that one branch doesn’t become too powerful.
- The comic should include at least two panels.
How can teachers wrap up the lesson?
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Have students pair up with a partner to discuss their comics.
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Comics may also be shared with the class.
How can teachers differentiate this activity?
- Allow students to use the speech-to-text feature.
- Allow students to work in pairs or groups as needed.
- Provide visuals and definitions for key words, e.g., democracy, constitution, founders, legislative, executive, and judicial.
- Allow students to use the voiceover feature to read their comics aloud.
U.S. Executive Branch
U.S. Legislative Branch
U.S. Judicial Branch
