The American system of government is established by the United States Constitution. There are three separate but equal branches of government.

Executive Legislative Judicial

Our government is a system of checks and balances. Executive Branch Judicial Branch Legislative Branch

People Included –President, Vice-President and the president’s cabinet. Executive Branch

President –Elections Elected every 4 years by the Electoral College. Limited to 2 terms –Duties / Powers Commander–in–Chief of the military, nominates federal judges, proposes budgets, signs bills into law, and proposes domestic & foreign policy for the nation. The president also appoints the cabinet that helps him make decisions. For example the Secretary of State helps with decisions about foreign countries. –Succession If the president dies in office, the vice-president takes over. The President

P35 years old PCitizen of the United States PResident of the United States for 14 years

“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

1. The president tosses the first ball of baseball season! 2. If the president is unable to fulfill his or her duties, the vice president must take over. 3. When George Washington became president at the age of 57, he only had one tooth left! 4. George Washington started as president with a salary of $25,000 per term. 5. Woodrow Wilson didn’t have to go to school until he was 9 years old. 6. Jimmy Carter could read 2,000 words per minute!

Elections –Vice President is elected with the president. –Serves a 4 year term with the president Duties –Assists the president –President of the Senate (votes in cases of a tie.) Succession –Takes over president duties if the president dies in office. The Vice-President

With your play-doh create something that illustrates the president, vice- president or cabinet member performing a duty of the executive branch. Play-Doh

People –Congress…House of Representatives and the Senate House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate The Legislative Branch

U.S. Senate –Representation Each state (no matter the size) gets 2 senators 100 senators total –Terms in Office / Elections Elected for 6 year terms All voters in the state vote for each senator –Duty / Powers Represent the interest of Louisiana while in Washington D.C. Declare war, pass laws and taxes, impeach the president or judges, serve on committees and ratify treaties with foreign nations. annelhttp:// annel Congress / The Senate

Representation –The number of representatives is based on the state’s population (Census, taken every 10 years) –Louisiana has 7. –Total number in the U.S. is 435. Elections / Terms in Office –Elected every 2 years and serve 2 year terms –Vote for the representative for your district. Duties / Powers Represent the interest of Louisiana while in Washington D.C. Declare war, pass laws and taxes, impeach the president or judges, serve on committees and ratify treaties with foreign nations. Congress / House of Representatives

Create something with your play-doh that illustrates a duty, power, election of or anything to do with either house of Congress. Play-Doh

People –Supreme Court and all federal judges Judicial Branch

Representation –Federal judges are NOT voted for. Appointment / Terms in Office –Appointed by the president and approved by the U.S. Senate. –Appointed for life. –Can only be removed by impeachment Duties / Powers –Pass judgments on matters of law, settle disputes between other branches, and decide if laws passed by congress are constitutional. Judicial Branch

Create something that illustrates the power or duties of the judicial branch. Play-doh

1.What are the 3 branches of government? Legislative, Executive, and Judicial 2. Congress is made up of __________ and __________. The Senate and House of Representatives 3. How many Senators are from each state? 2 4. Which branch of government includes the President? Executive Branch

5. What is the job of the Executive Branch? Carry out laws 6. Who is the current President of the United States? George W. Bush 7. What is the job of the Judicial Branch? Decide what laws mean 8. How long do Supreme Court justices serve? For the rest of their lives