Subject: Civics, Social Studies
Lesson Length: 45 - 60 mins
Topic: How the U.S. Government Works
Brief Description: 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.
Know Before You Start: 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.
Hook:
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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.
Activity:
- 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.
Closure:
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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.
Differentiation:
- 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.
Resources:
- Comic to print or display
Suggested Content Packs:
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch (US Government)
