The Branches of Government

By: Rebecca Stultz

ED 639

Unit: DemocracyGrade: 6Lesson: Branches of Government

Objectives

Learn the definition of each branch of government.

Know the responsibilities of each branch of government.

Learn who holds the current offices on federal, state, and local level.

Materials Needed

LCD Projector, Screen, and Power Point Presentation - Branches of Government

Handout - Scavenger HuntInternet access for studentsEnvelopes and stampsCopy of Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Government Web Sites

- U.S. Courts - www.uscourts.gov- State of Ohio - www.ohio.gov

- U.S. House of Representatives www.house.gov/- United States Senate www.Senate.gov- The White House www.whitehouse.gov

Student ActivitiesComplete an internet scavenger huntPower Point PresentationWrite a letter to their congressman

requesting them to write a new law.Mock Trial - Goldilocks and the Three

BearsParent Questions

Our Feature Presentation:

The Branches of Government

Ever Wonder...

What is government?What are the three branches of

government?Why do we have three branches

of government?What power do the three

branches have?Who are the leaders of the three

branches?

What is a Government?

People who live in groups or communities need established rules.

A government is the organization that makes the rules, settles disagreements, and protects the community from those who break the rules.

The government is given the power to carry out their authority over society.

Three Types of Power

Legislative Power

Executive Power

Judicial Power

Has the power to make the laws

Has the power to carry out the laws

Has the power to interpret the laws

The legislative branch is responsible for making the laws.

The Federal Government has two parts:• Senate

• House of Representatives

Legislative Branch

Powers of Congress:The Congress makes the laws on matters involving our national interests, such as controlling trade with other countries, printing our national money, and declaring wars.

House of Representatives

Number of Members?

Length of Term?

Representation

Elected By?

435

2 years

Based on the size of the state’s population

Voters from a particular Congressional district

U.S. Senate

Number of Members?

Length of Term?

Representation

Elected By?

100

6 years

Two from each state

Voters from the entire state

George Voinovich

Mike DeWine

The executive branch is responsible for carrying out the laws passed by Congress.

The Chief Executive of the Executive Branch at the federal level is the president.

Executive Branch

Powers of the Executive Branch:The president proposes a budget for the national government, acts as Commander-in-Chief for our armed forces, appoints leading federal officials, and guides our nation’s foreignpolicy.

President

Length of Term?

Number of Terms

Qualifications

4 years

A maximum of two full terms

35 years, a resident of the United States for 14 years, and a natural-born citizen

George W. Bush

The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting the U.S. Constitution. It does this by deciding specific cases brought before the court.

The highest court is the U.S. Supreme Court.

Judicial Branch

U.S. Supreme CourtNumber of Justices?

Length of Term?

How are Justices selected?

Qualifications?

9

Justices serve for life

Nominated by the President, but must also be approved bythe U.S. Senate

There are no qualifications mentioned in the U.S. Constitutionfor being a U.S. justice.

Chief Justice:

William Rehnquist

Three Branches of Government

Executivecarries out the laws

Legislativemakes the laws

Judicialinterprets the laws

U.S. Government

Three Levels of Government

Not only is the government split into three branches, but it is also arranged on three levels.

The federal government deals with issues that affect all citizens.

State and local governments are allowed to pass laws on matters that pertain just to their state or city.

Division of Government Powers

Executive Legislative Judicial

Federal President Congress FederalCourts

State Governor StateAssembly

StateCourts

Local Mayor CityCouncil

MunicipalCourts

Ask your parents tonight...

Who is the governor of Ohio?Who is the mayor of Fairborn?Where are the state courts located? Why?Where are the municipal courts located?

Why?What is one federal law, one state law, and

one local law?

Upcoming Activities

Discuss Parent AnswersWrite a letter to Congress proposing a new

law.Mock trial for Goldilocks and the Three

BearsInternet Scavenger Hunt

home.earthlink.net/~schuessler/Class_Projects/3_Branches_of_Government.html