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The 3 Branches

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Subject: Social Studies

Lesson Length: 40 - 45 mins

Topic: How The U.S. Government Works

Grade Level: 5

Standards / Framework:

Brief Description: Students will learn about the three branches of government and be able to differentiate between them.

Know Before You Start:

  • This lesson works well as an introduction to the three branches of government. 

  • The Pixton lesson on “Checks and Balances” serves as a great companion to this activity.

  • Vocabulary e.g., constitution and democracy.

Hook:

  • Begin a discussion by asking: “Who is in charge of the United States government?”

  • Use this discussion as a springboard to introduce the three branches of government and why the nation’s founders decided on this method of governing. 

  • Read and discuss the sample comic.

    • Which branch of government is represented in the comic?

    • What are the duties of this branch of government?

Activity: It’s time to discuss the branches of government in a comic!

  • Have students select one of the three branches of government.

  • Using the sample comic as a guide, have them demonstrate their knowledge of that branch in a two-panel comic.

    The comic should include: 

  • Which branch they selected.

  • Who leads this branch.

  • What the job of this branch of government is.

Closure: Use the Jigsaw method to group students. Have students present their comics to the group to teach other group members about their branch of government.

Differentiation:

  • Allow students to use the speech-to-text feature.

Resources:

  • Comic to print or display: Comic.

Related Ideas

Calling All Inventors!

In this lesson, students will imagine an invention that would solve a problem at home or at school e.g., completing chores, losing items around the house, being able to focus on homework, an improved lunchbox or backpack, carrying heavy materials for class, etc.

Panama Canal Debate

Students will practice their research and debate skills by creating a comic which explains their perspective on a historic event.

Checks and Balances

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.