1. Branches of the Federal Government
Ms. Jennifer Westrich
3rd grade

2. Learning Objective
After this lesson, you will be able to identify and explain the functions of the three branches of the federal government!
GLE:
Social Studies:Principles and Processes of Governance Systems. 2. C. 3. b. Identify and explain the functions of the three branches of government in the federal government.

3. Why do we need to know this?
It is important to know about our government and how it works. If we did not know how our government worked, then we would not be able to have any input as to how the country is run. If you want to make a difference, then you need to know how the government works!

4. Directions Use this arrow to move forward to the next slide.
Click through the slides to learn about each branch of government. At the end, you will take a quiz to show what you have learned.
Use this arrow to move forward to the next slide.
Use this arrow to go back to a page.
Use this home button to return to the Branches of the Federal Government homepage.
Use this button to review with the summary page

5. Branches of the Federal Government
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
Executive Branch
Click on the branch of government you want to learn about.

6. Executive Branch Head of Executive Branch:
President
Vice-President
Carries out federal law, recommends new ones, directs national defense and foreign policy, and performs ceremonial duties.

7. Legislative Branch Head of Legislative Branch: Congress
Senate House of
Representatives
Makes the laws
Passes national Budget
Approves treaties
Has power to declare war

8. Judicial branch Head of Legislative Branch: Supreme Court
Interprets Constitution
Reviews laws
Resolves cases involving State law

9. Show me what you have learned!
Follow the link below, it will open a page for you to complete.
Follow the directions on the page.
When you are finished, save your file with your name and upload it to our class space. We will then have a class discussion about the page.
Click here to open!

10. Executive Branch
Wanted: Man or woman for top government position. Must have been born in the United States, be at least 35 years old and be a U.S. citizen. Duties include making speeches, talking to the press, acting as commander in chief of the United States military and making important policy decisions. Must like to travel, shake hands and kiss babies. Knowing how to compromise and get along with others is necessary. The job lasts four years with the possibility of renewal. Salary: $400,000 a year, plus expense account that includes $50,000 per year for office expenses, $20,000 per year for entertaining and $100,000 per year for travel. Housing and transportation provided, but you must be willing to move to Washington, D.C. Pets and children welcome. Applications taken every four years.
The President is elected by the citizens of the United States through the process of voting.
The votes are tallied by the states and these tallies form the Electoral College.
Participate in
The Democracy Project,
and be the President for a day!

11. Judicial Branch The Supreme Court has 9 Justices.
These Justices are judges who interpret our laws from the constitution.
There are other judges in our country but the 9 Justices of the Supreme Court are the highest judges.
This means that these are the judges with the most power.
To learn more about the laws the 9 Justices interpret, you can read some of the Constitution!

12. House of Representatives
Legislative Branch
Senate
House of Representatives
100 Senators
2 from each state
(There are 50 states.
50 States x 2 Senators = Senators )
The Senators meet in Washington D.C.
435 Representatives
There are different amounts of representatives from different states.
Example: California has 53 representatives while Maine only has 2.
Just as the President is elected by citizens of the United States, so are the members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

13. Quiz directions Read each question carefully.
When you are ready to answer, click on the
underlined option to find out if you are correct in your answer or if you need to re-read the question and try again.
You can do it!

14. Question 1
Which of the following is not a job of the executive branch?
Carries out federal law
Directs national defense and foreign policy
Approves treaties

15. correct!
Question 1

16. correct!
Question 2

17. correct!
Question 3

18. try again
You can do it!
Question 1

19. try again
You can do it!
Question 2

20. try again
You can do it!
Question 3

21. Question 2
Who is the head of the legislative branch? a. The President b. Congress c. Supreme Court

22. Question 3 Complete the sentence. The Supreme Court has the power to…
interpret the constitution
pass the national budget
perform ceremonial duties

23. Summary Executive Branch President is the head.
This branch enforces the laws.
The Vice-President helps out the President.
Legislative Branch
Congress heads the legislative branch.
Congress is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Members are elected by the citizens of the United States.
Judicial Branch
The supreme Court leads the Judicial branch.
There are 9 justices (judges) of the supreme court.
The 9 justices help interpret the laws of the Constitution.

24. Teacher Information
This lesson is a great way for students who may need more time processing information, or may be too unsure of what they know when participating in class. Using a lesson in this format allows students to move at their own pace, which individualizes the lesson without altering the content.
The GLE this lesson is based from is:
Social Studies:Principles and Processes of Governance Systems. 2. C. 3. b. Identify and explain the functions of the three branches of government in the federal government.
This lesson covers Social Studies Show-Me standards 1, and 3.
1. principles expressed in the documents shaping
constitutional democracy in the United States
3. principles and processes of governance system

25. Resources
Mount, S. (2010). Constitutional topic: due process. Retrieved February 23, 2011 from Three branches of government (n.d.). In Harry S. Truman library and museum. Retrieved July 28, 2011, from 3 branches of government (n.d.). In Congress for kids. Retrieved July 28, 2011, from

26. Now, for some fun!
You can visit these Congress for Kids websites to play fun games and learn more about our government while having fun! Play a fun Word Spy game and show off what you have learned! Visit this list of sites to learn more about the government as well as play some games! Here is another game about the branches of government you just learned about. Test your knowledge with this fun game!
Wohoo!