By Bethany Schacher
GLCE
 4-C3.0.4. Describe how the powers of the
federal government are separated among the
branches.
 4-C3.0.5. Give examples of how the system
of checks and balances limits the power of
the federal government (e.g., presidential
veto of legislation, courts declaring a law
unconstitutional approval of judicial
appointments).
Books
 A Balancing Act: A Look at Checks and Balances by
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
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Kathiann M. Kowalski
Checks and Balances by Kathiann M. Kowalski
Woodrow for President by Peter W. Barnes
House Mouse, Senate Mouse by Peter W. Barnes
Marshall, the courthouse Mouse by Cheryl Barnes
Songs
 Three Branch Smart Rap
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCB8EOY5d48&feat
ure=related
 Schoolhouse Rock
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_foQoCHQq8
Activities
 Checks and Balances Game
 Game where students move the words to the correct
space in the sentence under the correct branch category.
 http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/usa_game/governm
ent/checks_and_balances.htm
 Scenarios for kids with the three branches
 http://www.cyberlearningworld.com/lessons/oct6usg.htm
Interactive Worksheets
 Checks and Balances System
 Learn key terms

http://www.education.com/worksheet/article/checks-andbalances/
 The Checks and Balances System Worksheet
 Match the power with the branch

http://www.cyberlearning-world.com/lessons/checksa.htm
Websites
 Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids
 Explains how the U.S. Government works in kids
friendly words with images and a vocabulary list

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/government/branches.html
 BrainPOP- Branches of Government
 Fun video and lesson on the branches of government

http://www.brainpopjr.com/socialstudies/government/branc
hesofgovernment/preview.weml
Videos
 Facts of Congress
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO1zrnR6q7g
 Checks and Balances with Mr. Hughes
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rekVGf1Qns
Work Cited
 Barnes, Peter W., and Cheryl Shaw. Barnes. House Mouse, Senate
Mouse. Alexandria, VA: Rosebud , Vacation Spot Pub., 1996.
Print.
 Barnes, Peter W., and Cheryl Shaw. Barnes. Marshall, the
Courthouse Mouse: A Tail of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Alexandria, VA: VSP, 1998. Print.
 Barnes, Peter W., and Cheryl Shaw. Barnes. Woodrow for
President. Alexandria, VA: VSP, 1999. Print.
 "Ben's Guide: Branches of Government." Ben's Guide: Branches of
Government (3-5). N.p., 24 Aug. 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.
<http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/government/branches.html>.
 "Branches of Government." BrainPOP Jr. N.p., 1999. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.brainpopjr.com/socialstudies/government/branchesofgov
ernment/preview.weml>.
Cont. Work Cited
 "The Checks and Balances System: Answers to a Worksheet.” The
Checks and Balances System: Answers to a Worksheet. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.cyberlearning-world.com/lessons/checksa.htm>.
 "Checks and Balances System." Education.com. N.p., n.d. Web.
Nov. 2012. <http://www.education.com/worksheet/
article/checks-and-balances/>.
 HughesDV. "Checks and Balances for Dummies." YouTube.
YouTube, 24 May 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.
25
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rekVGf1Qns>.
 Kowalski, Kathiann M. A Balancing Act: A Look at Checks and
Balances. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 2004. Print.
 "Lesson Plan: US Government: The Checks and Balances System of the
US Constitution." Lesson Plan: US Government: The Checks and
Balances System of the US Constitution. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov.
2012.
<http://www.cyberlearning-world.com/lessons/oct6usg.htm>.
Cont. Work Cited
 Libertyclick. "Checks and Balances - Schoolhouse Rock."
YouTube. YouTube, 06 Dec. 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_foQoCHQq8>.
 TheCenteronCongress. "Facts of Congress - Checks and
Balances." YouTube. YouTube, 20 Feb. 2009. Web. 25 Nov.
2012.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO1zrnR6q7g>.
 "Three Branches Rap - Smart Songs." YouTube. YouTube, 09
Sept. 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCB8EOY5d48>.
 "U.S. Government: The Checks and Balances Game." U.S.
Government: The Checks and Balances Game. N.p., n.d.
Web. 25 Nov. 2012.