Unit: The Principles and Institutions of American Constitutional Government
Grade 5 Social Studies
Day Ten, 50 minute lesson
1. Lesson Objectives
a. Knowledge Outcomes:
At this ending point of the unit, students should be comfortable with the
information included in and be able to demonstrate knowledge of Grade 5
Standards 5.23-5.27.
b. Skill Outcomes:
Students will gain experience working both individually and as a team to answer
review questions. Students will learn the difference between healthy and unhealthy
competition, and students will show good sportsmanship and respect for fellow
classmates during the review game.
2. Assessment
a. Formative Assessments:
During the review game, pay attention to the speed and accuracy with which
students are able to answer the Jeopardy questions. Are students looking at
other students’ white boards for answers? Do students get the answers correct?
Are there questions that no one can answer? Which questions do all or most
students get right?
b. Summative Assessment:
In place of a formal written assessment at the end of the unit, end with a review
game of Jeopardy. Based on performance during the review game, assess student
knowledge of the standards. Make note of topics with which students seem unclear.
3. Materials
a. Transparencies of game boards with questions written on sticky notes covering the
answers on the transparencies.
b. Individual white boards, dry erase markers, and cloths for students to use to write
answers.
c.
Overhead projector.
d. One die.
e. Index cards (one per student).
4. Sequence of Activities
a. Hook:
Bring out the overhead projector and inform students that they will be playing a
couple games of Jeopardy to end the unit on American Constitutional Government.
b. Activities:
1. Have a student pass out white boards, dry erase markers, and cloths to each
student in the class as the overhead projector is set up. (1 minute).
2. Divide students into two teams, and ask students to gather as a team in
designated areas of the classroom. Invite students to pick team names. (2
minutes).
3. Begin the game of Jeopardy with either game board. Roll the die to see which
team goes first, and allow students to pick whichever category and value they
choose. As each question is read, all students (including the opposing team) are
expected to write an answer down on their white boards. Each team will have 20
seconds to come up with an answer, and then a speaker must be chosen to give the
consented upon answer for the team. If the answer is correct, the team gets the
designated points. If the answer is incorrect, the other team has a chance to
“steal” the points by answering the same question correctly. Regardless of that
outcome, the opposing team goes next. The game continues in this pattern until
all questions have been asked. (20 minutes).
4. After the first game of Jeopardy is complete, begin the second game. This time,
the team that did not start during the first game will start. The process for this
second game is the same as the first. (20 minutes).
5. After the second game is complete, have students wipe down the white boards
and ask a student to collect and put away the boards, markers, and cloths. (3-4
minutes).
6. Once everything is put away, have students return to their seats for the wrap-up
activity. (5 minutes).
c.
Differentiation:
Keep differing ability and social skills in mind when creating the teams. Make sure
to evenly distribute teams to make the review game as fair and enjoyable as it can
be. If students have trouble with the white boards, paper and pen can be
substituted. Allow students who benefit from classroom jobs to pass out and collect
the white boards, markers, and cloths.
d. Wrap-Up:
To quickly wrap up the unit, ask students to write on an index card one sentence
stating the event, lesson, idea, topic, fact, etc. that they deem to be most important,
confusing, interesting, etc. from the past two weeks. What was fun? What was hard?
What didn’t make sense but now does? Collect these statements and place them in
student portfolios.
Game Board:
Government
Responsibilities
100
200
300
400
Principles of
Democracy
100
200
300
400
Bill of Rights
Citizenship
100
200
300
400
100
200
300
400
Government
Responsibilities
What are the three
levels of government
in the United States?
Principles of
Democracy
What is “limited
government”?
Bill of Rights
Citizenship
How many
Amendments are
included in the Bill of
Rights?
Who is the head of
the state government?
What aspect of the
Constitutional
government
exemplifies the idea of
equality?
What documents
protect individual
rights and
responsibilities?
Name three rights that
the 1st Amendment
protects.
A person who makes
improvements in the
community for free is
called a
_______________.
What is Patriotism?
What was the reason
for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th
Amendments?
Why is it important for
citizens to vote?
On what principle is
“representative
democracy” founded?
Why was the Bill of
Rights added to the
Constitution?
Name a responsibility of
an adult citizen in the
US.
Questions:
If a person is found
guilty of committing
a crime, what will the
government require
of that person?
Name two public
services that
governments are
responsible for
providing.
Answers:
Government
Responsibilities
Local, State, and
Federal governments.
The Governor
Principles of
Democracy
This is a principle in
which government
power over civil
liberties is limited by
law.
The system of checks
and balances between
the three branches of
government
The person may have
to pay a fine or go to
jail for a specified
period of time.
Individual rights and
responsibilities are
protected in the
Constitution and the
Bill of Rights.
Law enforcement,
emergency services,
public education, and
protection of
individual rights.
Representative
democracy is founded
on the principle of
electing officials to
represent the people.
Bill of Rights
Citizenship
10
Volunteer
The freedoms of
religion, speech, press,
peaceable assembly,
and petitioning the
government.
To protect citizens
from British policies
which were prevalent
during the
Revolutionary War.
A person’s love or
devotion toward his or
her country.
In order to get enough
votes to ratify the
Constitution,
supporters had to
promise that a bill of
rights would be added
to the document.
Voting ensures that the
democratic system of
government is
maintained. A person’s
vote is his or her “voice”
in government.
Voting, being informed,
jury duty, serving the
community, defending
the nation, and obeying
laws.
Game Board: Adapted from Branches of Government Jeopardy game found at
mset.rst2.edu/portfolios/i/ippolito_c/inttech/jeopardy.ppt
Executive
100
200
300
400
Legislative
100
200
300
400
Judicial
100
200
300
400
General
100
200
300
400
Questions:
Executive
Who is the head of
the Executive branch?
The head of the
Executive branch is
______________.
Legislative
The Legislative
branch is separated
into how many parts?
Every state elects
_______ Senators.
The Executive branch
is limited to ______four year terms.
How many
Representatives are
there from each state?
Name one
responsibility of the
Executive branch.
What is one main
responsibility of the
Legislative branch?
Judicial
What is the name of
the most powerful
court in our system?
How many members
are there in the
Supreme Court and
how long are they in
office?
What is the main
responsibility of the
Supreme Court?
Once the Supreme
Court makes a
decision, the decision
can only be changed
by _______________.
General
The White House is
located in
____________________.
The main law of the
United States is known as
____________________.
The Executive,
Legislative, and Judicial
branches belong to which
level of government?
In 1787, this meeting took
place to more accurately
address problems in the
US following
independence from Great
Britain.
Answers:
Executive
President
Elected
Legislative
2
2
2
It depends on the
state’s population.
Make laws for our
country.
Carrying out laws,
leading the military,
and directing foreign
policy.
Judicial
The Supreme Court
There are 9 members in
office for life.
Interpret laws and the
Constitution.
The Supreme Court
General
Washington, DC
The Constitution
National
The Constitutional
Convention