1. Branches of Government Jessica Marrow

2. Content Area: Social Studies
Grade Level: 4th
Summary: The purpose of this instructional PowerPoint is for students to gain an understanding of the three branches of government to build a solid foundation for future applications.
Learning Objective: Given facts and interactive activities pertaining to the branches of government, students will identify the roles and functions of the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches with 100% accuracy.
Content Standard: 4.0: Governance establishes structures of power and authority in order to provide order and stability. Civic efficacy requires understanding rights and responsibilities, ethical behavior, and the role of citizens within their community, nation, and world.
Accomplishment:4.4.02e. Identify and explain the basic functions of the three branches of state government.
State Performance Indicator (SPI): 4.4.spi.1. Identify the 3 branches of federal and state governments.

3. Videos
Watch this BrainPOP about the three branches of government.
You will need to take notes during the video. After the video you will participate in a Think-Pair-Share activity.
THINK about the roles of each branch while taking notes
PAIR with a partner and collaborate
SHARE your thoughts with the class
Be prepared to share your conclusions with the class.

4. The Executive Branch
Approves
Bills
Vetoes
Directs
Military
Makes
Foreign
Policy
Enforces
Laws
President
Vice
Cabinet
Appoints
Federal
Judges
Elected
Every 4
Years
Examine the following website to determine the roles of the Executive Branch and who makes up this branch.
Discuss the individuals or groups that make up this branch.
Discuss the roles of this branch.
Discuss facts about this branch.

5. The Legislative Branch
Congress
Senate
100
Members
Creates
Bills
Overturns
Vetoes
Impeach
President
Declares
War
Has
“Power
of the
Purse”
Approve
Presidential
Appointments
House of
Representatives
435 Members
Reject
Examine the following website to determine the roles of the Legislative Branch and who makes up this branch.
Discuss the individuals or groups that make up this branch.
Discuss the roles of this branch.
Discuss facts about this branch.

6. The Judicial Branch
Supreme
Court
Eight
Associate
Justices
Chief Justice
Settles
Cases
Between
States
Determines
Interprets
Laws
Decides if Laws
are Constitutional
Decides if
Laws are
Unconstitutional
Appointed
by President
Overturn
other Judge
Rulings.
Examine the following website to determine the roles of the Judicial Branch and who makes up this branch.
Discuss the individuals or groups that make up this branch.
Discuss the roles of this branch.
Discuss facts about this branch.

7. Whole Group Practice
Go to the following website to access the interactive activity.
During this activity you should:
Self-assess your knowledge
Write your answer on a whiteboard
Hold up whiteboard when directed
Discuss answers when in disagreement

8. Independent Practice
What branch of government is responsible for deciding if laws are constitutional or unconstitutional?
Executive
Legislative
Judicial

9. Correct! Good Job!
Keep Going 

10. Independent Practice
The Executive Branch is responsible for which of the following tasks?
Directing the Military
Interpreting the Law
Approving Bills
Both A and C
All of the Above

11. Correct! Good Job!
Keep Going 

12. Independent Practice
The U.S. Congress is a bicameral legislature. The ________ is made up of 100 members, and the ________ is made up of 435 members.
House of Representatives; Senate
Supreme Court; House of Representatives
Senate; Supreme Court
Senate; House of Representatives

13. Correct! Good Job!
Keep Going 

14. Independent Practice
The Judicial Branch is made up of ________ justices?
1 Chief Justice and 10 Associate Justices
2 Chief Justices and 8 Associate Justices
1 Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices
9 Associate Justices

15. Correct! Good Job!
Keep Going 

16. Incorrect Answer
Click Here to Try Again

17. Team Review
Go to the following website to access an interactive jeopardy game.
Split into 2 teams. Each team will be given 10 seconds to discuss the answer and take turns sending one member to the board to answer each question. Alternate between teams as directed in the activity.
After the activity is finished, each of you will write an exit ticket summarizing the roles and members of the 3 branches.
Executive
Legislative
Judicial

18. Conclusion/Summary
In this lesson, students will have gained a solid foundation for understanding the three branches of government. Students will be able to identify and categorize the various roles and responsibilities of the branches, as well as the individuals who make up each branch. Overall, students will have the background knowledge to apply to the following lesson pertaining to the checks and balances system used by our government.

19. References Brain POP Branch of Government Information
Branch of Government Information
Interactive Learning Activities/Games
Pictures from Google Images (
Slide 1:
Slide 2:
Slide 4-6:
Slide 7:
Slides 3-14:
Slides 9,11,13,15:
Slide 18:
Standards from the Tennessee Department of Education