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Subject

Social Studies

Description

This lesson is designed for 7th grade students learning American History. It is necessary for students to have prior knowledge of the Articles of Confederation and the Constitutional Convention in order for students to be successful. This lesson is also designed to be executed with a SMART Board.

Duration

This lesson will take approximately 46 minutes.

Learning Objectives

1. Student will be able to name the three branches of government.
2. Student will be able to restate the duties of each of the branches.
3. Student will be able to identify each of the branches as being Congress, the President and the Supreme Court.

Materials

1. A piece of paper for notetaking and drawings
2. 3 Branches of Government SMART Notebook file

Branches of Government.notebook

Procedure

• Teacher will navigate through page 1 of 3 Branches of Government SMART Notebook file with the students. This page links to a website which has a 10 question review of the Articles of Confederation and the Constitutional Convention.
• Teacher will click to page 2 of the 3 Branches of Government SMART Notebook file. Students will copy the chart after the teacher reveals the duties underneath the 3 branches.
• Then the teacher will encourage the students to come up with pictures to draw underneath each branch of government which reflect the duties of each branch. (Some ideas for pictures are: a hand for the legislative branch, a stick figure carrying a bag or stop sign for the executive branch and a stick figure with a light bulb above the head and a gavel in hand for the judicial branch).
• Teacher will show page 3 of SMART Notebook file and discuss flow chart. Student will click paper clip on flow chart which will link to a movie clip on the 3 branches of government.
• Teacher will show page 4 of SMART Notebook file. A student will be asked to reveal the duties of the legislative branch with the magnifying glass. Then student will click on paper clip on the image which will link to a movie clip on the legislative branch.
• Teacher will show page 5 of SMART Notebook file. A student will be asked to reveal the duties of the executive branch with the magnifying glass. Then student will click on the paper clip on the image, which will link to a movie clip on the executive branch.
• Teacher will show page 6 of SMART Notebook file. A student will be asked to reveal the duties of the judicial branch with the magnifying glass. Then student will click on the paper clip on the image, which will link to a movie clip on the judicial branch.
• Teacher will show page 7 of the SMART Notebook file. Students will be asked to verbally say what the duties are for each branch before the answers are revealed by clicking on each of the boxes in flash question answer mode.
• Teacher will show page 8 of the SMART Notebook file. The flash timer will be turned on for each of the students to quickly match the names of Congress, President and Supreme Court to the branch terminology for these terms. The "branch figures" will be mixed around on each students turn to avoid just mere memorization of the location of the branch figures on the page.

Assessment

Students will be assessed on teacher observation and their ability to identify the branches of government duties collectively on page 7 of The Three Branches of Government SMART Notebook file and their ability to individually match the branches with the correct names on page 8 of the same file.

Related Academic Standards

New York State

SS.7.4.c.2 Students will examine how key issues were resolved during the Constitutional Convention including: *state representation in Congress (Great Compromise or bicameral legislature) * the balance of power between the federal and state governments (establishment of the system of federalism) * the prevention of parts of government becoming too powerful (the establishment of the three branches) * the counting of the enslaved African American community for purposes of congressional representation and taxation (the Three-Fifths Compromise)

SS.7.5.b The Constitution established three branches of government as well as a system of checks and balances that guides the relationship between the branches. Individual rights of citizens are addressed in the Bill of Rights.

SS.I.5.2D Students define federalism and describe the powers granted the national and state governments by the United States Constitution.

SS.I.5.2E Students value the principles, ideals, and the core values of the American democratic system based upon the premises of human dignity, liberty, justice, and equality.

SS.I.5.4A Students respect the rights of others in discussions and classroom debates regardless of whether or not one agrees with their viewpoint.