Branches of Government
3rd grade Social Studies
Mrs. Carr
Introduction
Every day when you turn on the news, you
will probably hear the word government,
but what is the government? During this
investigation, you will learn about the 3
branches of government and the jobs of
each branch.
Essential Question: What are the three
branches of government and what are
their responsibilities?
Task
You and your partner will work together to investigate the
three branches of government. Using the information
provided, you will: identify the three branches of
government and identify their major responsibilities. You
and your partner will create a concept map with the
necessary information. After researching and creating your
concept map, you and your partner will discuss your
findings. As a team, you will decide which branch you
would like to work in if your worked for the government.
Write a letter to your teacher and discuss why you would
like to work in that branch. Finally, make a list of questions
you still have. Learning about the government can be very
hard. After reading through the various sources, you may
still have some questions or you may have come across
some things you did not understand. Make a list of AT
LEAST 3 questions you may still have. You may have more
than three.
Process
1. Work with a partner
2. Create a tree map to organize the information you
will find. Your tree map will need 3 branches (one
branch for each branch of the government). Use the
drawing tools in a word document to create your tree
map.
3. Visit the website below to gather information about
the branches of government and record information
on your tree map.
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/government/branches.html
Process Page 2
4. View the online learning module: The Duties of the
Three Branches of Government. After viewing, discuss
your findings and add to your tree map.
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=SOC5904
5. Visit the Congress for kids website. View each of the
following links to investigate each branch of the
government. Each link her a great deal of
information, so be sure to click on all relevant links. As
you investigate, take notes on your tree map.
http://congressforkids.net/Legislativebranch_index.htm
http://congressforkids.net/Executivebranch_index.htm
http://congressforkids.net/Judicialbranch_index.htm
Process Page 3
6. Use YouTube to view the School House Rocks video:
Three Ring Government.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS2wD6ahGZQ
7. Visit the following website:
http://library.thinkquest.org/J0110221/Legislative.html
Click on each branch of government. Investigate
and add any new information to your tree map.
Process Page 4
Now your research is complete
8. Print and save your tree map.
9. Create a concept map. Your map must: identify the three
branches of government, describe the main responsibilities of each
branch, give any other important information about each branch,
include at least one picture with each branch to help make a visual
representation to the branch.
**Save your concept map to the class Wiki.
10. Write a letter to your teacher detailing which branch of the
government you would like to work in and why.
**Save your letter on the class Wiki.
10. Make a list of questions your may still have about the branches
of government (include AT LEAST 3 questions).
**Save your letter on the class Wiki.
Evaluation
10 points
15 point
25 points
Tree Map
Included one branch
of government and/or
did not provide
adequate information
on each branch.
Included two branches
of government and/or
had some information
on each branch.
Included all three
branched of government
and provided adequate
information on each
branch.
Concept
Map
Did not include two of
the following: branches
of government, major
responsibilities of each
branch, a picture with
each branch.
Did not include one of
the following: all
branches of
government, major
responsibilities of each
branch, a picture with
each branch.
Includes all three branches
of government, highlights
their major responsibilities,
and includes at least one
picture.
Letter
Did not include a letter.
Letter did not address
your branch of interest
and why this was your
branch of interest.
Letter addressed the
appropriate questions and
displayed a level of
understanding.
Questions
Asked AT LEAST 1
questions about the
branches of
government.
Asked AT LEAST 2
questions about the
branches of
government.
Asked AT LEAST 3 questions
about the branches of
government.
Conclusion
Great job! You should now have a good understanding of the
three branches of government and their jobs. Next time you are
listening to the news and you hear one of the branches
mentioned, you will be able to make a connection to what you
have learned. Now that you know about the branches and their
jobs, you can start to dig a little deeper.
Now you can:
**Begin to investigate the branches of government at the local,
state, and national level and compare their functions.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/our-government/state-and-localgovernment
** Investigate separation of powers and checks and balances.
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0777009.html
Credits and References
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/government/branches.html
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=SOC5904
http://congressforkids.net/Legislativebranch_index.htm
http://congressforkids.net/Executivebranch_index.htm
http://congressforkids.net/Judicialbranch_index.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS2wD6ahGZQ
http://library.thinkquest.org/J0110221/Legislative.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/our-government/state-and-local-government
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0777009.html
Georgia Performance Standards
SS3CG1 The student will explain the importance
of the basic principles that provide the
b. Name the three levels of government
(national, state, local) and the three branches
in each (executive, legislative, judicial),
including the names of the legislative branch
(Congress, General Assembly, county
commission or city council).
c. State an example of the responsibilities of
each level and branch of government.
ISTE NET Standards
3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information
from a variety of sources and media
c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the
appropriateness to specific tasks
d. Process data and report results
5. Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology
and practice legal and ethical behavior.
a. Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and
technology
b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports
collaboration, learning, and productivity
c. Demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning
d. Exhibit leadership for digital citizenship