The 3 Branches of the Federal Government

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?

Freedom and Security

Is There a Conflict?

September 11, 2001

World Trade Center

Grades 3-5

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).

Both houses of Congress passed this 342-page document with little debate. Now broad new powers were granted the executive branch.

K-2SECURITY SEARCHES

• Read the USA Today article.

• Discuss with your group whether or not this violates your rights as a citizen.

SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5M50xBz1cU&feature=endscreen&NR=1

3 Branches of Government

YOU TUBE VIDEO

WORD POWER

VESTED

ORDAIN

EQUITY

AUTHORITY

TREATIES

BALLOTOATH

RESOLUTION

ALLIANCE

CONFEDERATION

COMMERCE

ConstitutionExcerpt: Article I

Article ISection 1All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Analytical CodeUse this code to help analyze Article 1, 2, or 3

Unsure

Agree With

Disagree With

UNITED STATES CONSTITUTIONGrades 3-5

Go to one of the following links:http://congressforkids.nethttp://constitutionus.com/

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/government/branches.html

•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.

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?

www.congressforkids.net

http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=SOC5904

The Judicial Branch

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

This branch is made up of the Congress and government agencies.

Levels of GovernmentThe U.S. Constitution establishes a government based

on "federalism“.

FEDERAL

STATE

LOCAL

How do these people impact our lives? Use a double bubble map to compare and

contrast these levels of government.

Makes Laws

Signs laws Decides if laws are constitutional

Approves presidential appointments

Vetoes laws Are appointed by the President

Two senators from each state

Pardons people 9 justices

The number of congressman is based on population

Appoints federal judges Can overturn rulings by other judges

Establish an army and navy

Elected every four years

Enter into treaties with foreign governments

Print money (bills and coins)

Regulate intrastate (within the state) commerce

Declare war

Establish post offices and issue postage

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

State Government

EXECUTIVE BRANCH;GOVERNOR

LT. GOVERNOR

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH:GENERAL ASSEMBLY-SENATORS/

REPRESENTATIVES

JUDICIAL BRANCH:STATE COURT OF APPEALS

• Establish local governments

Provide for public health and safety • Issue licenses (driver, hunting, marriage, etc.)

Regulate intrastate (within the state) commerce

Conduct elections

Ratify amendments to the U.S. Constitution

• Exercise powers neither delegated to the national government or prohibited from the states by the U.S. Constitution (For example, setting legal drinking and

smoking ages.)

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 GovernmentMacon

EXECUTIVE BRANCH:MAYOR

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH:CITY COUNCIL

JUDICAL BRANCH:CITY COURT

ELECTED JUDGES

• Responsible for holding Elections

• Building AND Maintaining Roads

Decides whether local laws such as parking violations have been

broken

Writes and passeas rules that can

become ordinance

• Manage Public Utilities

Accepts or reject city budgets

• Public Safety

• Education-Hiring teachers, building schools,, and

providing transportation

• Maintaining Parks and providing safe Recreation

• Collecting taxes

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Resourceshttp://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