Social Studies Lesson Plan
Objective: Using inquiry based learning, students will learn about the roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government.
Common Core State Standard:
6.1.4.A.5: Distinguish the roles and responsibilities of the three branches of the national government.
Vocabulary:
· Executive
· Judicial
· Legislative
· Congress
· Representative
· Senator
· Cabinet
· Checks and Balances
· Veto
· Impeach
Materials:
· Poster board
· Markers
· Researching materials (books, internet)
· Social Studies Notebooks
Warm up (5 min):
· Have students watch brain pop and write about the branches of government. Ask students to write about what they know about the branches of government and what they want to learn about them as well.
· http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovernmentandlaw/branchesofgovernment/
Mini-Lesson (10-15 min):
· Motivate: Create a KWL chart to provide purpose for the lesson and create an opportunity for students to connect personal and/or prior experiences to the branches of government.
o Have students share what they know about the branches of government in the K part of the chart. Ask students what they would like to know about branches of government in the W part of the chart. Say: “We will be learning about the branches of government over the next few days and answering all of our questions together.”
· Elaborate:
o Say: “In order to understand how our government operates, we are going to first have to understand the three branches. Today in our groups, we will be exploring the three branches and creating posters to demonstrate important information about each branch. We will work with new vocabulary such as (vocab listed above). Have you ever heard any of these words? Some were in the brain pop video we watched earlier. Did you notice what they are? Do you know what any mean? How do you think they relate to the branches of government? Turn and talk with a partner.”
· Demonstrate:
o Say: “We are now going to count off by threes. If you are a one you will be examining the executive branch. If you are a two, you will be examining the legislative branch. If you are a three, you will be examining the judicial branch. Once you get in your groups you are going to do research on your branch and create a poster highlighting important information. After you have done this, I would like you to display your posters around the room and wait for further instruction. Some things to consider including on your poster would be who is in each branch, what does the branch do, when does the branch meet, where do they meet, why do they meet, how to they do their job, etc. You can collaborate with your group and create the poster together. Have fun!”
Independent Work Time (30-40 minutes):
· Circulate and confer with students while taking notes or working with a small group in direct instruction.
· Students work in groups to complete the assignment and create a poster while recording their ideas and information.
· Once students have completed their poster, have them walk around the room and record similarities and difference between the branches.
Share Session (5 min):
· Have students share their ideas. Guide discussion by asking the following:
o What have we learned today about branches of government?
o How do they help our nation function?
o What are the roles and responsibilities of each branch?
o How are the branches similar?
o How are they different?
Reflection:
· Have students respond in their social studies notebooks what they learned about their governmental branch and how it compares to the others.
Extended Learning:
· http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/usa_game/government/branches_government.htm
o Have students use the interactive website to reinforce learning. Students may learn more about branches and can extend what they learned in class.
· http://www.brainpop.com/games/branchesofpower/
o Have students play the interactive Branches Of Power game and let them live as each member of the branches to further understand roles and responsibilities.
Objective: Using inquiry based learning, students will learn about the roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government.
Common Core State Standard:
6.1.4.A.5: Distinguish the roles and responsibilities of the three branches of the national government.
Vocabulary:
· Executive
· Judicial
· Legislative
· Congress
· Representative
· Senator
· Cabinet
· Checks and Balances
· Veto
· Impeach
Materials:
· Poster board
· Markers
· Researching materials (books, internet)
· Social Studies Notebooks
Warm up (5 min):
· Have students watch brain pop and write about the branches of government. Ask students to write about what they know about the branches of government and what they want to learn about them as well.
· http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovernmentandlaw/branchesofgovernment/
Mini-Lesson (10-15 min):
· Motivate: Create a KWL chart to provide purpose for the lesson and create an opportunity for students to connect personal and/or prior experiences to the branches of government.
o Have students share what they know about the branches of government in the K part of the chart. Ask students what they would like to know about branches of government in the W part of the chart. Say: “We will be learning about the branches of government over the next few days and answering all of our questions together.”
· Elaborate:
o Say: “In order to understand how our government operates, we are going to first have to understand the three branches. Today in our groups, we will be exploring the three branches and creating posters to demonstrate important information about each branch. We will work with new vocabulary such as (vocab listed above). Have you ever heard any of these words? Some were in the brain pop video we watched earlier. Did you notice what they are? Do you know what any mean? How do you think they relate to the branches of government? Turn and talk with a partner.”
· Demonstrate:
o Say: “We are now going to count off by threes. If you are a one you will be examining the executive branch. If you are a two, you will be examining the legislative branch. If you are a three, you will be examining the judicial branch. Once you get in your groups you are going to do research on your branch and create a poster highlighting important information. After you have done this, I would like you to display your posters around the room and wait for further instruction. Some things to consider including on your poster would be who is in each branch, what does the branch do, when does the branch meet, where do they meet, why do they meet, how to they do their job, etc. You can collaborate with your group and create the poster together. Have fun!”
Independent Work Time (30-40 minutes):
· Circulate and confer with students while taking notes or working with a small group in direct instruction.
· Students work in groups to complete the assignment and create a poster while recording their ideas and information.
· Once students have completed their poster, have them walk around the room and record similarities and difference between the branches.
Share Session (5 min):
· Have students share their ideas. Guide discussion by asking the following:
o What have we learned today about branches of government?
o How do they help our nation function?
o What are the roles and responsibilities of each branch?
o How are the branches similar?
o How are they different?
Reflection:
· Have students respond in their social studies notebooks what they learned about their governmental branch and how it compares to the others.
Extended Learning:
· http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/usa_game/government/branches_government.htm
o Have students use the interactive website to reinforce learning. Students may learn more about branches and can extend what they learned in class.
· http://www.brainpop.com/games/branchesofpower/
o Have students play the interactive Branches Of Power game and let them live as each member of the branches to further understand roles and responsibilities.