Baker College Teacher Prep Lesson Plan Form

Unit: Balance of Power Lesson Title: Balance of Power Grade/Period: 4th

CCSS or State Standards:

4 C3.0.3 Describe the

organizational structure of the
federal government in the United
States (legislative, executive, and
judicial branches).
4 C3.0.4 Describe how the
powers of the federal government
are separated among the branches.
4 C3.0.5 Give examples of how
the system of checks and balances
limits the power of the federal
government (e.g., presidential veto
of legislation, courts declaring a
law unconstitutional,
congressional approval of judicial
appointments).
4 C3.0.6 Describe how the
President, members of the
Congress, and justices of the
Supreme Court come to power
(e.g., elections versus
appointments).

Resources and Materials:

ICivics Branches of
Power Game
https://www.icivics.org/
games/branches-power
Computers or tablets
Objective:
What students will know and be able to do I can simulate the way separation of powers and checks and
stated in student friendly language (use
Blooms and DOK levels for higher level balances limit government.
thinking objectives)

I can analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the

legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

I can demonstrate the law-making process at the local, state,

and federal levels

I can describe how each branch of government uses checks

and balances.
 Baker College Teacher Prep Lesson Plan Form

Essential Question(s):
Over-arching questions of the lesson that will Why should one individual not have complete control of
indicate student understanding of
concepts/skills What is it you want the
students to learn/know? Why?
government?
Are we capable of balancing power?
What is the function of each branch of government?
Inclusion Activity:
Describe an activity that will ensure that all The game the students play is similar to online simulation games
students and their voices are included at the
beginning of the lesson. which should be interesting to many students.

Sequence of Activities:
Provide an overview of the flow of the lesson.
Should also include estimates of
pacing/timing.
Announce to students that today everyone will get to have the
opportunity to play parts in all three branches of government with a
simulation. Have students work in pairs or groups depending on how
many tablets or computers are available and have them go to the
ICivics Branches of Power game. Ask students to keep track of their
game with scrap paper. Walk around the room helping students as
they need. (35 min)

Have students write a short essay on the ways that each branch of
government used checks and balances within the game. (20 min)

Instructional Strategies:
Research-based strategies to help students The Branches of Power game is highly interactive and showcases
think critically about the concept/skill
different elements of real life scenarios.

Assessment: Formative:
List both formative and summative As students work through the game, they can ask questions for
assessments that you will use to assess student
understanding. Formative assessments are clarification on certain elements.
given during instruction (check for
understanding), summative are after
completion of instruction (how will you grade Summative: The results of the game and the essay will be taken
quiz, test, project, paper, presentation, into account for the final grade.
demonstration, etc.).

Differentiation:
Describe who will need additional or different Those who have difficulty with writing the essay can have the option
support during this lesson, and how you will
support them. Differentiated instruction could of giving an oral description of the checks and balances they
include testing accommodations, preferential witnessed in their game.
seating, segmented assignments, a copy of the
teachers notes, assignment notebook, peer
tutors, etc.

Summary, Integration and

Reflection: The Branches of Power game allows students to become involved
List the way that you will bring students with each branch of the government and how they use checks and
together to integrate and reflect on their
learning from this lesson balances.