Charting the Three Branches of Government

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Students work in groups to create charts showing the structure and functions of the three branches of government as outlined in the first three articles to the Constitution.

Subjects: Language Arts, Social Studies, Educational Technology

Grade levels: 6-8

Objectives
Students will:

• define the terms article, legislative branch , judicial branch, and executive branch;
• gain a greater understanding of the organizational structure of our government;
• demonstrate skills in organizing information in a chart; and,
• work together in cooperative groups.

Keywords
chart, government, Constitution, article, legislative branch, judicial branch, executive branch

Materials Needed

• poster board or construction paper
• pens or markers
• copies of the Articles I through III in the Constitution from textbook or library sources or printed out from the following sites:
  • CongressLink: Constitution of the United States -- Article I
  • CongressLink: Constitution of the United States -- Article 2
  • CongressLink: Constitution of the United States -- Article 3
  • Constitution of the United States of America

Procedure
Note: This lesson might fit into a unit of study about the Constitution.

1. Review the three branches of government. Ask students to define the terms legislative branch , judicial branch, executive branch.
2. Depending on class size, divide the class into pairs or groups of three students. Assign one article to each group.
3. Tell each group to choose one part of the article that describes a structure or function of a branch of government. Have each group create a chart to showing how that structure or function works.

Assessment
Have students present and explain their charts to the class. Have students ask questions of the presenters.

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