How does the government function and serve it’s citizens?
What are our roles as U.S. citizens?
"American Flag." U.S. Flag Clipart. Web. 22 Mar 2010. <http://us-flag.net/pictures/clipart/>.
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What will we be learning today?
Responsibilities/Roles of U.S.
Citizens
 Three Branches of Government
 Purpose of each branch of
Government
 Checks and Balances
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"Government." American History Clip Art.
Web. 22 Mar 2010.
<http://government.phillipmartin.info/g
overnment_capitol.htm>.
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Initiating changes in laws and policies that would
benefit the citizens
 Running for a public office
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 Examples: City Council, Precinct Delegate, Mayor,
Attorney General, Sheriff, Governor
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Following the laws
Paying taxes
Serving as a juror in court
Registering to vote at age 18
 Becoming knowledgeable about
candidates and issues
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"Vote Button." A Perfect World. Web. 22 Mar 2010.
<http://www.aperfectworld.org/government.html>.
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Which of the following is NOT a branch of
Government?
 A: Legislative
 B: Executive
 C: Judicial
 D: Military Defense
"Unites States Capitol Building." Social Studies Main Page. Web. 22 Mar 2010.
<https://sites.google.com/site/teacher23/Home/social-studies>.
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
The Legislative Branch is part of the three
branches of Government
 Headed by Congress which includes the House of
Representative and the Senate
 Main task is to make Laws
 Powers include:
▪
▪
▪
▪
Passing laws
Originating spending bills (House)
Impeaching officials (Senate)
Approving treaties (Senate)
Back to question
"Bill." Sourcing US Laws and Government Documents. Web. 22 Mar
2010.<http://units.sla.org/toronto/newsletter/courier/v41n2/v41n2a9.
htm>.
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The Executive Branch is part of the three
branches of Government
 Lead by the President
▪ Carries out Federal (National) laws and recommends
new ones
▪ In charge of National Defense (Army, Navy, Maine's, etc)
▪ Deals with worldwide issues
▪ Approves or denies laws
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"White House." New Links Page. Web. 22 Mar 2010.
<http://www.biloxischools.net/schools/beauvoir/New%20Links%20Page.htm>.
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The Judicial Branch is part of the three
branches of Government
 Headed by the Supreme Court
▪ Responsible for understanding and enforcing the
Constitution
▪ Reviewing Laws
▪ Looking at cases involving state rights
"United States Constitution." Philadelphia Reflections. Web. 22
Mar 2010. <http://www.philadelphiareflections.com/topic/100.htm>.
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The Military Defense is NOT part of the three
branches of Government.
The Military Defense is actually a part of the
Executive Branch, and is headed by the
President of the United States
Back to question
"Military Jet." Free Clip Art. Web. 22 Mar 2010. <http://www.free-clipartpictures.net/military_clipart.html>.
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Video not working? Click here to access it online.
"The United States Government- Three Branches of Government." Hotlist for Government of Past Civilizations and Today's United States Government . Web. 22 Mar
2010. <http://www.nisd.net/ward/Staff/gt_page/gt_page_08_09/government_hotlist/hotlis_governments_index.htm>.
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"Three Branches of Government (Facts of Congress)." YouTube. Web. 22 Mar 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPNeviHf464&feature=related>.
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
Legislative Branch
 Headed by Congress which includes the House of
Representative and the Senate
▪ Make laws

Executive Branch
 Lead by the President
▪ In charge of National Defense, deals with issues Worldwide

Judicial Branch
 Headed by the Supreme Court
▪ Responsible for understanding and enforcing the Constitution
Visit Congress for Kids for more information on the Three Branches of
Government
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
Checks and Balance
System
 Delegates wanted to
divide the power up
equally within the
Federal Government
 They didn’t want the
power to be controlled
by one person or group

Try This Activity!
 Whose Job is it?
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"Checks and Balances." Official Portal of the North Dakota State Government.
Web. 22 Mar 2010. <http://www.ndstudies.org/images/checks.gif>.
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For more information about the Grade Level Content Expectations, please
visit here.
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4 – C3.0.3 Describe the organizational structure of the federal
government in the United States (legislative, executive, and judicial
branches).
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, congressional
approval of judicial appointments).
4 – C5.0.1 Explain responsibilities of citizenship (e.g., initiating changes in
laws or policy, holding public office, respecting the law, being informed
and attentive to public issues, paying taxes, registering to vote and
voting knowledgeably, serving as a juror).
"Fourth Grade Level Content Expectations." Michigan Department of Education (2007): 31. Web. 22 Mar 2010.
<http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/SSGLCE_218368_7.pdf>.
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“AlertGU” Sound Jay .WAV http://www.soundjay.com/
"American Flag." U.S. Flag Clipart. Web. 22 Mar 2010. <http://us-flag.net/pictures/clipart/>.
“Applause” PowerPoint Sounds
"Bill." Sourcing US Laws and Government Documents. Web. 22 Mar 2010.
<http://units.sla.org/toronto/newsletter/courier/v41n2/v41n2a9.htm>.
"Checks and Balances." Official Portal of the North Dakota State Government. Web. 22 Mar 2010.
<http://www.ndstudies.org/images/checks.gif>.
"Fourth Grade Level Content Expectations." Michigan Department of Education (2007): 31. Web. 22 Mar 2010.
<http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/SSGLCE_218368_7.pdf>.
"Government." American History Clip Art. Web. 22 Mar 2010.
<http://government.phillipmartin.info/government_capitol.htm>.
“National Anthem” MP3
http://www.mp3int.com/download_mp3/415145/15073256/United_States_Of_America_Usa_National_Anthem/
"Military Jet." Free Clip Art. Web. 22 Mar 2010. <http://www.free-clipart-pictures.net/military_clipart.html>.
"The Three Branches of Government." Congress for Kids. The Dirksen Congressional Center, n.d. Web. 22 Mar 2010.
<http://www.congressforkids.net/Constitution_threebranches.htm>.
"Three Branches of Government (Facts of Congress)." YouTube. Web. 22 Mar 2010.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPNeviHf464&feature=related>.
"United States Capitol Building." Social Studies Main Page. Web. 22 Mar 2010.
<https://sites.google.com/site/teacher23/Home/social-studies>.
"United States Constitution." Philadelphia Reflections. Web. 22 Mar 2010. <http://www.philadelphiareflections.com/topic/100.htm>.
"The United States Government- Three Branches of Government." Hotlist for Government of Past Civilizations and Today's
United States Government . Web. 22 Mar 2010.
<http://www.nisd.net/ward/Staff/gt_page/gt_page_08_09/government_hotlist/hotlis_governments_index.htm>.
"Vote Button." A Perfect World. Web. 22 Mar 2010. <http://www.aperfectworld.org/government.html>.
"White House." New Links Page. Web. 22 Mar 2010. <http://www.biloxischools.net/schools/beauvoir/New%20Links%20Page.htm>.
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