1. By Bethany Schacher

2. GLCE 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 approval of judicial appointments).

3. Books A Balancing Act: A Look at Checks and Balances by Kathiann M. Kowalski Checks and Balances by Kathiann M. Kowalski Woodrow for President by Peter W. Barnes House Mouse, Senate Mouse by Peter W. Barnes Marshall, the courthouse Mouse by Cheryl Barnes

4. Songs Three Branch Smart Rap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCB8EOY5d48&feat ure=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCB8EOY5d48&feat ure=related Schoolhouse Rock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_foQoCHQq8

5. Activities Checks and Balances Game Game where students move the words to the correct space in the sentence under the correct branch category. http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/usa_game/governm ent/checks_and_balances.htm http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/usa_game/governm ent/checks_and_balances.htm Scenarios for kids with the three branches http://www.cyberlearning- world.com/lessons/oct6usg.htm http://www.cyberlearning- world.com/lessons/oct6usg.htm

6. Interactive Worksheets Checks and Balances System Learn key terms http://www.education.com/worksheet/article/checks-and- balances/ http://www.education.com/worksheet/article/checks-and- balances/ The Checks and Balances System Worksheet Match the power with the branch http://www.cyberlearning-world.com/lessons/checksa.htm

7. Websites Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids Explains how the U.S. Government works in kids friendly words with images and a vocabulary list http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/government/branches.html BrainPOP- Branches of Government Fun video and lesson on the branches of government http://www.brainpopjr.com/socialstudies/government/branc hesofgovernment/preview.weml http://www.brainpopjr.com/socialstudies/government/branc hesofgovernment/preview.weml

8. Videos Facts of Congress http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO1zrnR6q7g Checks and Balances with Mr. Hughes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rekVGf1Qns

9. Work Cited Barnes, Peter W., and Cheryl Shaw. Barnes. House Mouse, Senate Mouse. Alexandria, VA: Rosebud, Vacation Spot Pub., 1996. Print. Barnes, Peter W., and Cheryl Shaw. Barnes. Marshall, the Courthouse Mouse: A Tail of the U.S. Supreme Court. Alexandria, VA: VSP, 1998. Print. Barnes, Peter W., and Cheryl Shaw. Barnes. Woodrow for President. Alexandria, VA: VSP, 1999. Print. "Ben's Guide: Branches of Government." Ben's Guide: Branches of Government (3-5). N.p., 24 Aug. 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.. "Branches of Government." BrainPOP Jr. N.p., 1999. Web. 25 Nov. 2012..

10. Cont. Work Cited "The Checks and Balances System: Answers to a Worksheet.” The Checks and Balances System: Answers to a Worksheet. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.. "Checks and Balances System." Education.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.. HughesDV. "Checks and Balances for Dummies." YouTube. YouTube, 24 May 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.. Kowalski, Kathiann M. A Balancing Act: A Look at Checks and Balances. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 2004. Print. "Lesson Plan: US Government: The Checks and Balances System of the US Constitution." Lesson Plan: US Government: The Checks and Balances System of the US Constitution. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012..

11. Cont. Work Cited Libertyclick. "Checks and Balances - Schoolhouse Rock." YouTube. YouTube, 06 Dec. 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.. TheCenteronCongress. "Facts of Congress - Checks and Balances." YouTube. YouTube, 20 Feb. 2009. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.. "Three Branches Rap - Smart Songs." YouTube. YouTube, 09 Sept. 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.. "U.S. Government: The Checks and Balances Game." U.S. Government: The Checks and Balances Game. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.