Learning About the
Three Branches of Government
Created by Lisa Day; White Hall Elementary2000
A Third Grade Branches of Government WebQuest
Modified By; K.Steurer, Rushwood Elementary2008
A Fourth Grade Branches of Government WebQuest
INTRODUCTION:
Hi! I am Polly the Patriot Eagle. I work for the United
States Government. My primary job is to teach school
children about how the United States Government was
developed and how the three branches of Government
work.
I recently got a phone call from your school principal.
He wanted me to visit your class and share my
information with you and the other students.
One Problem! I was so excited about meeting you that I
forgot my information handouts and hands-on activity
back at the White House! What's a bird to do? Can you
help me? I hope so!
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TASK:
Using the scavenger hunt Polly the Patriot Eagle found in the bottom of his suitcase
and the note sheet your teacher provided you, you decide to help Polly create a new
activity and/or information sheet.
Polly does not care what type of activity or information sheet you develop as long as it
is informative and contains information about the United States government and its
three branches of government. He is just so grateful that you have agreed to help that
he will take anything you can make!
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Learning About the
Three Branches of Government
PROCESS:
Before you begin to help Polly, you must decide what type of
activity he could use when teaching students about Government.
Could a coloring book, story, poster, or pamphlet be helpful to the
students? Could Polly use a crossword puzzle or a cut and paste
activity to teach about government? The choice is yours!
The only thing you need to remember is that Polly could lose his
job if your activity is not a success, so do your best!
Once you have decided what you will make, let your teacher
know and she will give you everything that you need to begin
gathering government information for your project.
She will give you a copy of the Government Scavenger Hunt that
Polly the Patriot Eagle found in his suitcase and a government
note-taking sheet.
Directions and Resources for Gathering Government
Information
Once you have enough information, begin creating the activity
you decided on earlier. I am sure your teacher can provide you
with scissors, crayons, paper, and anything else you need for your
project.
When your activity is complete, have a grown up review it to
make sure the information is accurate. Remember this will be used
to teach other children so no errors are acceptable. When it is has
been edited and you have checked its contents with the scoring
checklist, give it to your teacher so that she can score it and get it
to Polly. He is eager to see what you have created!
Learning About the
Three Branches of Government
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EVALUATION:
After completing your Teaching About Government Activity, you will turn-in the
following items to your teacher.
Government Scavenger Hunt (15pts)
Note-Taking Sheet (10pts)
Teaching About Government Activity (15pts.)
The project and note-taking sheet will be scored by using a scoring rubric. The
scavenger hunt will be scored by giving the student 1 point for each correct answer.
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CONCLUSION:
Congratulations! I, Polly the Patriot Eagle, have been saved,
thanks to you! The students loved me, and they had lots of fun
reading and/or completing the activity you created!
You did such a good job; I was wondering if you would consider
making an activity that would teach students how a bill becomes
a law?
Will you do it? Or have you had enough of Government?
Learning About the
Three Branches of Government
Note-Taking Sheet
To construct your Government activity or information sheet, you need to know about
the three branches of government for OHIO, who works in each branch, and what
they do. Record that information in the spaces provided below, plus any other
information that you would like to include in your activity or information sheet.
Branch of
Government
Who works in this What does this
branch?
branch do?
________________________
________________________
________________________
Important Information about the Constitution:
Other Interesting U.S./ Ohio Government Information:
Learning About the
Three Branches of Government
Government Scavenger Hunt
Name: ____________________
Date: _________________
Directions: Find the answers to the following questions using the web site resources
provided.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
The document that establishes the basic principles of the American government
is called the ______________________.
People like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton
helped write the Constitution. Because of this, we call these men the
______________ _______________.
The people of the original 13 states were used to being led by a king. They did
not like this king and feared any kind of national ___________________.
The Founding Fathers did not want the Government controlled by just one
person, so they divided the power of the government into three
_________________.
The three branches of government are the __________ branch, the
____________ branch, and the _______________ branch.
The legislative branch of government is made up of _________________ and
several government ____________________.
The Ohio Congress is divided into two parts: the _____________ of
__________________ and the ___________________.
The _______________________ branch of government makes laws.
The _____________ Court is the highest court in the Ohio judicial branch of
government.
The ______________________ branch of government makes sure that the laws
are obeyed.
The Governor lives and works in the ______________________________.
The Governor is part of the ______________________ branch of government.
The congress works in a building known as the _______________________.
The Legislators are elected to serve for __________ years.
Each state has ___________ senators.
Learning About the
Three Branches of Government
Polly Parrot’s Teaching Project Checklist
Yes
No
The activity is something that could be useful to
someone learning about the branches of government. It
is also neat and organized.
The teaching activity correctly names the three branches
of government.
The teaching activity correctly shows what each branch
of government does.
The teaching activity correctly shows who works in
each of the three branches.
The teaching activity has at least one attractive picture
to go with the written material.
The information in the teaching activity is accurate.
Learning About the
Three Branches of Government
Student Scoring Rubric
(2-3Pts.
each)
The activity is something that could be useful to someone
learning about the branches of government. It is also neat and
organized.
The teaching activity and note-taking sheet correctly names
the three branches of government.
The teaching activity and note-taking sheet correctly shows
what each branch of government does.
The teaching activity and note-taking sheet correctly shows
who works in each of the three branches.
The teaching activity has at least one attractive picture to go
with the written material and the note-taking sheet contained
several facts about the Ohio State Government.
The information in the teaching activity is accurate.
Fourth Grade Quality Final Copy Work (3pts)
Score (out of 15 points)
Learning About the
Three Branches of Government
Directions and Resources for Gathering
Information
Using the resources provided, answer the questions on the scavenger hunt. While you
are looking for the answer, write down any interesting and informative government
information you find that would be helpful in developing the teaching activity or
information handout. Do this on your note-taking sheet.
1. http://bensguide.gpo.gov/
2. http://pittsford.monroe.edu/Schools/Jefferson/GOVERNMENT/GovFrame.html
3. http://www2.connectnet.com/~dmp/G6_writing/Shastina.html
4. http://www2.connectnet.com/~dmp/G6_writing/megan.html
5. http://longman.awl.com/polisci/resources/images/edv02.gif
6. http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/kids/html/home.html
Once your scavenger hunt is complete, review your note sheet to see if you have
found enough information to make the teaching project you decided on earlier. If you
need more information, go back to the Government resources (above) and/or check
out a few books from the library.