Halle Fessler

11/2/15
ELED 3223
The Three Branches of Government

Grade Level: Third Grade

Standards:
o Social Studies: 3.C&G.1.3 Understand the three branches of
government
o English/Language Arts: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.7 Use
information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs)
and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text
(e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).
Materials: The Three Branches of Government article, silent discussion
sheets, BrainPop Jr Video.

Lesson:
1. Start by asking students what they know about government. Ask: Do
you know how many sections of government there are? How do we
elect people in our government? Does anyone know what day today
is? (voting day). (2 minutes)
2. Play the BrainPop Jr. Video:
https://jr.brainpop.com/socialstudies/government/branchesofgovernme
nt/
Ask: What did you think of this video? Was there anything you heard
on the video that you did not know before? (5 minutes)
3. Pass out The Three Branches of Government article. Explain to
students that we will read through it two times. The first is just to learn
and gain information. The second time we will do a close read and
really examine the functions of the branches of government. (1
minute)
4. Read through the article once. Read slowly and clearly. At the end, ask:
Were there any words in this article that are confusing? Do you have
any questions about what we just read? (5 minutes)
5. Read through the article again. Stop at the word constituition and
ask: does anyone know what the word constitution means? Explain
that the constituion is a document written when the United States was
founded that describes the rules of our country. Keep reading, and stop
at the sentence in the first paragraph that says the government is
divided into three parts, known as branches. Refer students to the
graphic at the top and explain how this lays out the three branches of
government. Ask: What do you notice about the picture? What does

this picture teach you about the branches of government? In the third
paragraph, when it talks about the House of Representatives and the
Senate, call two students up. Tell one student that they represent the
House, and one student that they represent the Senate. Explain to
students that they are part of the Legislative branch. In the fourth
paragraph, call students up to be the President, Vice President, and
two students as the Cabinet. Explain that these students are part of
the Executive Branch. In the fifth paragraph, call nine students up to
represent the nine Justices on the Supreme Court. Explain that these
students are a part of the Judicial Branch. Point out that the President
appoints the Justices and and the Senate approves them, and have the
student volunteers act this out for the class. (20 minutes)
6. Have students go sit down in their groups and pass out the silent
discussion papers. Explain to students that a silent discussion is just
like a discussion out loud, except instead of talking, they are writing on
the paper to each other. Read each question aloud to its group and
ask if they have any questions. (15 minutes)
7. Walk around and facilitate the silent discussions. If students get off
topic, redirect them with more questions. This will be the students
assessment.
8. Go around the room and ask students to read out loud their question,
and what their groups responses were. (5 minutes)