The 3 Branches of the Federal Government

Blueprint Skills that will be addressed Identify the 3 branches of government and the levels of government: federal, state and local. Using a thinking map show the roles and responsibility of each and how they impact our lives. Analyze Articles 1,2,and 3 of the United States Constitution, generalize what they say about each branch. Write an essay using your generalizations.

Why do we need government?

What would life be like without rules or laws? Jackie, I think we need to remove this.

Freedom and Security Is There a Conflict? Ask students what they do or how the react when they are afraid. Talk about how people act when they are afraid. Is There a Conflict?

September 11, 2001 Grades 3-5 World Trade Center Al-Qaeda terrorists attacked the United States. Using hijacked airplanes, they destroyed the World Trade Center’s twin towers, did severe damage to the Pentagon and killed nearly 3,000 people. (add a video clip) World Trade Center

The Bush Administration responded quickly to American fears with the introduction of the USA Patriot Act (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act). Americans were understandably outraged and fearful for their security in the aftermath of these attacks.

Both houses of Congress passed this 342-page document with little debate. Now broad new powers were granted the executive branch. These included increased surveillance of ordinary citizens, surveillance of library records, people jailed without charges, and spying on religious and political organizations without evidence of wrongdoing.

K-2 SECURITY SEARCHES Read the USA Today article. Discuss with your group whether or not this violates your rights as a citizen. Why are they needed? Protection of people and property Balance: security and freedom or security and liberty Example: patriot act- after 911 America is terrified and government can listen in on cell phone and internet…how much of freedom is given up Supreme court – 5 to 4 decision ruled that if you are pulled over for a minor traffic violation…they can make an arrest…police don’t have to have probable cause to strip search you. S. C. can’t attach a GPS device to car Issue then/issue now Separation of powers and checks and balances is critical to everything.

SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK 3 Branches of Government YOU TUBE VIDEO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5M50xBz1cU&feature=endscreen&NR=1 3 Branches of Government YOU TUBE VIDEO

WORD POWER ALLIANCE VESTED AUTHORITY ORDAIN COMMERCE RESOLUTION EQUITY TREATIES Discuss key vocabulary with students. CONFEDERATION BALLOT OATH

Constitution Excerpt: Article I Section 1 All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. Students will read and identify words that they are unfamiliar with. Use a circle map to define these words. Whole class will come together to share.

Analytical Code Use this code to help analyze Article 1, 2, or 3 Unsure Agree With Students should write the code down in their notes. This will work best if they use different colored highlighters to code their article. Disagree With

UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION Grades 3-5 . UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION Grades 3-5 Go to one of the following links: http://congressforkids.net http://constitutionus.com/ http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/government/branches.html Analyze article Divide class into groups giving each an article or sections on an article (such as article 1) to analyze using the code. When they do essays have students site text SELECT AN ARTICLE TO ANALYZE. USING A GRAPHIC ORGANIZER OF YOUR CHOICE, ILLUSTRATE WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS ABOUT YOUR BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT. WRITE AN ESSAY USING YOUR GENERALIZATIONS. Rubric attached to lesson plan. Present your finding to the class.

The Three Branches of Government Delegates at the Constitutional Convention wanted to divide power within the federal government.

To avoid the risk of dictatorship or tyranny, the group divided the new government into three parts

The delegates were afraid that if a small group received too much power, the United States would wind up under the rule of another dictator or tyrant.

The Executive Branch Makes sure laws are obeyed President is the head President gets help from the Vice President, department heads (Cabinet members), and heads of independent agencies. Pictures of presidents…infer before Add graphics

What is the President’s number one job? www.congressforkids.net http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=SOC5904

Name the Vice President and what is his role in the executive branch? www.congressforkids.net http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=SOC5904

Who is in his cabinet and why is each important or not? Vice president and cabinet heads…use pics…Biden Cabinet..kitchen cabinet…pics of secretaries…responsible for depts www.congressforkids.net http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=SOC5904

The Judicial Branch The Supreme Court Article III of the Constitution established this Court and all other Federal courts were created by Congress. Courts decide arguments about the meaning of laws, how they are applied, and whether they break the rules of the Constitution. The Supreme Court

Supreme Court Justices Describe the process of becoming a supreme court justice? How long do they serve as a supreme court justice? Do you agree or disagree with the length of the supreme court justice term of office. In a small group use the debating process to convince others of your point of view. Use evidence from research to support your argument.

The Legislative Branch It’s made up of the Government Printing Office and Library of Congress, that provide assistance to and support services for the Congress. Article I of the Constitution established this branch and gave Congress the power to make laws. Congress has two parts, the House of Representatives and the Senate. This branch is made up of the Congress and government agencies.

How do these people impact our lives? Levels of Government The U.S. Constitution establishes a government based on "federalism“. FEDERAL STATE LOCAL Federalism - the sharing of power between the national, and state (and local) governments. How do these people impact our lives? Use a double bubble map to compare and contrast these levels of government.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

GENERAL ASSEMBLY-SENATORS/ State Government EXECUTIVE BRANCH; GOVERNOR LT. GOVERNOR LEGISLATIVE BRANCH: GENERAL ASSEMBLY-SENATORS/ REPRESENTATIVES JUDICIAL BRANCH: STATE COURT OF APPEALS

STATE GOVERNMENT

Powers Shared by National and State Government Shared, or "concurrent" powers include: Setting up courts Creating and collecting taxes Building highways Borrowing money Making and enforcing laws Chartering banks and corporations Spending money for the betterment of the general welfare Taking (condemning) private property with just compensation

Local Government Macon EXECUTIVE BRANCH: MAYOR CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER LEGISLATIVE BRANCH: CITY COUNCIL JUDICAL BRANCH: CITY COURT ELECTED JUDGES

LOCAL GOVERNMENT Group activity.

Resources http://congressforkids.net http://constitutionus.com/ http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-/government/branches.html http://www.constitution.org/cons/constitu.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5M50xBz1cU&feature=endscreen&NR=1 http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovernmentandlaw/branchesofgovernment http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0774837.html http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=SOC5904