The Branches of Government By: Rebecca Stultz ED 639

Unit: Democracy Grade: 6 Lesson: 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 Hunt §Internet access for students §Envelopes and stamps §Copy of Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Government Web Sites - U.S. Courts State of Ohio U.S. House of Representatives - United States Senate - The White House

Student Activities §Complete an internet scavenger hunt §Power Point Presentation §Write a letter to their congressman requesting them to write a new law. §Mock Trial - Goldilocks and the Three Bears §Parent 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? 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? 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 foreign policy.

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 Court §Number of Justices? §Length of Term? §How are Justices selected? §Qualifications? 9 Justices serve for life Nominated by the President, but must also be approved by the U.S. Senate There are no qualifications mentioned in the U.S. Constitution for being a U.S. justice. Chief Justice: William Rehnquist

Three Branches of 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

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 Answers §Write a letter to Congress proposing a new law. §Mock trial for Goldilocks and the Three Bears §Internet Scavenger Hunt l home.earthlink.net/~schuessler/Class_Projects/ 3_Branches_of_Government.html home.earthlink.net/~schuessler/Class_Projects/ 3_Branches_of_Government.html