On the yellow piece of paper answer this question- 1.What are the three levels of the U.S. government, and what does each level govern? (ex: town, country) Flip your paper over when you are done. MAKE SURE YOUR NAME IS ON IT!

The Three Branches of Government Executive Branch Legislative Branch Judicial Branch

Three Branches of Government E L J Name:______________________ Use PENCIL! With your team, read pages 50 and 51 in your social studies book. Fill in each box in the graphic organizer.

Three Branches of Government Executive Branch President Commander and chief Legislative Branch Congress Judicial Branch Supreme Court 9 Justices Washington D.C Interprets laws Enforces laws Vice President White House Makes laws HouseSenate Capitol

Executive Branch U.S. citizens vote to elect the president The president serves a four year term A president can be reelected only once The president suggests laws for Congress to pass The vice president heads the Senate

Legislative Branch Senate: Citizens of each state elect senators Each state has two senators Elected for six year terms House of Representatives: Citizens of each state elect Elected for two year terms # Representatives for each state depends on population Larger state population-more representatives – California- large population- 52 representatives – Alaska- small population- 1 representative

Judicial Branch Judges in the federal courts decide whether the laws follow the Constitution Highest court- Supreme Court Supreme Court justices and other federal court judges are appointed by the president and approved by the Senate Nine judges keep their jobs for the rest of their lives

Matching Game In your teams: Put cards face down in middle of desks Speaker draws two cards first If cards do not match, speaker puts both cards back where he/she drew them, face down Next player goes, draw one card, draw one more trying to find its match If player gets a match, players draws again Whoever has the most matches wins! Teammates check for accuracy!

The Flexibility of the Government The government can be changed by laws and amendments Amendment: a change to the Constitution Amendments are passed by Congress and must then be approved by a majority of the states Bill of Rights: first ten amendments to the Constitution Guarantee: Freedom of press Freedom of speech Freedom of religion

On the other side of your yellow piece of paper answer this question- 2. What are the three branches of the U.S. government, and what is the main job of each? Put your paper on my desk when you are done. MAKE SURE YOUR NAME IS ON IT!