Materials Teacher: access to computer with screen, all attached handouts and student worksheets.

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1 Checks and Balances Grades 5-12 Student Target SS.5.C.3.1, SS.5.C.3.2, SS.7.C.1.7, SS.7.C.3.2, SS.7.C.3.4, SS.7.C.3.3, SS.7.C.3.8, SS.912.C.1.5, SS.912.C.3.3, SS.912.C.3.4, SS.912.C.3.6 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.5.4.A, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.9, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.9, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.9, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.9, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W , CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W Materials Teacher: access to computer with screen, all attached handouts and student worksheets. Students: access to computer, Student Worksheet 1, Student Worksheet 2, Student Handout 1, Student Handout 2, Reflection Activity, Pre/Post survey, pen/pencil, extra blank paper. Warm-up Before beginning the Warm-up, give students the Pre-survey and have them answer questions. After completing the Pre-survey, review the answers. Begin warm-up by asking the students if they know what are the three branches of government? As the students name the branches, write them on the board. Ask: What is the main responsibility of each? Why do the students think the Founding Fathers created a government with three branches? Explain that the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania conducted a nation survey in 2011 of 1,230 adults asking if they could name the three branches of government. Just 38% could name all three branches; 33% were unable to correctly name any of the branches. (see complete survey at It is important that we understand our three branches of government. Explain that with three branches of government, the Founding Fathers established a checks and balances process, which ensures an equal distribution of power among the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government. Ask student to think about this and how critical the equal distribution of power is to our form or government. Vocabulary Checks and Balances Separation of Powers Lesson While developing our form of government, the Founding Fathers created a federal government consisting of three branches, the executive, legislative, and judiciary, which was a separation of powers (as stated in the Warm-up above). We will now look at where the branches get their power and what each branch can do to balance the other branches. Handout Student Handout 1: Branches of Government and Their Powers HSPBC/Johnson History Museum 1

2 Brief Review: The executive, headed by the president, implemented and enforced laws passed by Congress. The legislative branch, with two houses of Congress, made laws and the judicial comprised of the federal courts system, interpreted federal laws and the Constitution rendering judgments of those laws. Our form of government provides a system of checks and balances. Checks and balances is the system in which each branch of government has the ability to limit the power of the other branches to prevent any from becoming too powerful. Handout Student Handout 2 Checks and Balances and Student Worksheet 3. Working in groups, have students use Handout 2 to answer question from Handout 3. After competing the assignment, review the answers as a class. Reflection In many cases, state government mirrors federal government. Have student go online and research the government of Florida. Have them use the attached Venn diagram to compare the two governments, focusing on the three branches (their powers and responsibilities) and the checks and balances. After they have completed their comparison, review their work as a class. Assessment Groups and classroom participation and completion of all worksheets, Pre and Post surveys. Enrichment To extend the lesson, have students use the Internet to research Great Britain s form of government. Have students focus on branches of government and checks and balances. Once their research is completed, have student write a paper comparing the US And Great Britain s branches of government and their system of checks and balances. Attachments Pre-survey Post-survey Student Handout 1: Branches of Government and Their Powers Student Handout 2: Checks and Balances Student Worksheet 1: The Balance of Power: Checks and Balances Student Worksheet 2: Match Reflections Activity: Compare the US Government and Florida Government HSPBC/Johnson History Museum 2

3 Student Handout 1 Branches of Government and Their Powers Article 1 of the Constitution defines the powers of the Legislative Branch. The powers of the Legislative Branch Power to make laws. To write, debate, and pass bills. To approve or disapprove the president s declaration of war on other countries. To approve the president s budget. Can override president s veto of bill by 2/3 vote. Can impeach president for misconduct. The House: power to decide if a government official should be put on trial before the Senate if/he/she commits a crime against the country. To start laws that make people pay taxes. The Senate: power to say yes or no to any treaties the president makes with leaders of other countries. To say yes or no to any people the president recommend for jobs, such as the cabinet officers, Supreme Court justices, or ambassadors. To hold a trial for a government official who does something very wrong. Article 2 of the Constitution defines the powers of the Executive Branch The Powers of the Executive Branch To approve or veto a law created by the Legislative Branch. To make treaties with leaders of other countries. To authorize then use of troops overseas without declaring war. To nominate the Secretaries of the executive departments, the Attorney General and ambassadors. To appoint justices to the Supreme Court. To create a budget for the government. Article 3 of the Constitution defines the powers of the Judicial Branch. The Powers of the Judicial Branch To interpret laws, how they are applied, and whether they are unconstitutional To rule whether an action is unconstitutional. Can change a Supreme Court decision through another Supreme Court decision. The power to decide cases that challenges the Constitution. HSPBC/Johnson History Museum 3

4 Student Handout 2 Checks and Balances Congress approves presidential nominations and Controls the budget. It can pass laws over the President s veto and can impeach the President and remove him or her from office. Executive Branch The President, executive office of the President, executive and cabinet departments & independent government agencies The President can veto Congressional legislation The President nominates judges. The courts can declare executive acts unconstitutional. Judicial Branch The courts: Supreme Court Courts of District Appeal Courts Legislative Branch House of Representatives Senate The courts can declare laws unconstitutional.bus Loading/Unloading The Senate confirms the President s nominations. Congress can impeach judges and remove them from office.not to scale HSPBC/Johnson History Museum 4

5 Student Worksheet 1 The Balance of Power: Checks and Balances Power Which Branch Which Branch s has Power Power is being checked Create and pass legislation Veto bills Appoints federal judges Impeachment of federal officials Confirm the appointment of Presidential appointees Declares laws unconstitutional Override presidential vetoes Judges are appointed for life Controls appropriation of money HSPBC/Johnson History Museum 5

6 Student Worksheet 2 Match Which branch of government: Approves treaties with other counties Can declare war Branch: A. Executive B. Legislative C. Judicial Creates a budget Rules on the constitutionality of laws The President is the head of Can veto a bill Approves/disapproves the budget Appoints justices to the Supreme Court HSPBC/Johnson History Museum 6

7 Pre-survey Working independently, fill in the blanks. 1. Name the three branches of the federal government. 2. What is meant by checks and balances? 3. Which branch of government has the power to declare war? 4. Which branch has more power over the other two branches? 5. The Branch of our government makes the laws. 6. The Branch study laws to see if they are correct according to the Constitution. 7. The Branch nominates judges. HSPBC/Johnson History Museum 7

8 Post-survey Working independently, fill in the blanks. 1. Name the three branches of the federal government. 2. What is meant by checks and balances? 3. Which branch of government has the power to declare war? 4. Which branch has more power over the other two branches? 5. The Branch of our government makes the laws. 6. The Branch study laws to see if they are correct according to the Constitution. 7. The Branch nominates judges. HSPBC/Johnson History Museum 8

9 Reflections Activity Compare the US Government and Florida Government Use the Internet to research Florida Government and the handouts provided for the US Government. Then use the Venn diagram to compare the US Government and Florida Government, focusing on the three branches (their powers and responsibilities) and the checks and balances. US Government Similarities Florida Government HSPBC/Johnson History Museum 9

10 HSPBC/Johnson History Museum 10

1. Title: The Organizational Structure and Powers of the Federal Government as Defined in Articles I, II, and III of the U.S. Constitution Grade 5

1. Title: The Organizational Structure and Powers of the Federal Government as Defined in Articles I, II, and III of the U.S. Constitution Grade 5 Teacher s Name: Employee Number: School: SS.5.C.3.1 Describe the organizational structure (legislative, executive, judicial branches) and powers of the federal government as defined in Articles I, II,