Introduction

Distinguish between the 3

Branches of Government
to become responsible
voting citizens

Our government has a major impact on the

way of Americans live. The government is
responsible for creating laws and regulations for
American citizens. The three branches are
Legislative, Judicial, and Executive. Unfortunately
there is confusion among American citizens on
what each of these branches are responsible for.
This is why the government utilizes checks and
balances.
The intent of this webquest is to give students
an understanding of each of the branches and their
responsibilities of carrying out powers through
checks and balances. Since America is a
democracy, the people having a direct say in
government. This webquest will encourage
students to be able to distinguish between the
three branches of government, so they will become
responsible voters when they become of age.

Task

Your task is to distinguish between the three

branches of government. You will research the the
members of each branch, their responsibilities, and
how each member becomes elected through
watching a video and researching through Bens
Guide website. You will interview three adults
regarding their previous knowledge of our
government. After completing your research, you
will present a 2-3 minute presentation to our class.
You will need to create a poster board to show us
what you have learned.

Procedure 1

Please click on the following link to print

out your graphic organizer. You will write
down your notes on here.
http://www.worksheetworks.com/pdf/954/
7d1e6aa016ca/WorksheetWorks_3_BRANC
HES_OF_GOVERNMENT_2.pdf
Watch the Schoolhouse of Rock video. Click
on this link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5M5
0xBz1cU
Make sure to: Define each branch of
government.
Explain what powers they have.
Who is in each branch? What are their
roles?
How does one become elected in each
branch?
Be sure to add any extra information that

you find helpful for your presentation.

Procedure 2

Procedure 3

Procedure 4

Click on link below:

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/35/government/branches.html
Click on grades 3-5
Click on branches of government
Click on the separation of powers and
checks and balances link in Paragraph . You
should be able to define the two, as they
may pop up on your final quiz.
Lastly click on each link for the three
branches of government at the bottom of
the page, make sure to take notes because
its important that you know the difference
between the three for procedure 3.
Outside of class work: Ask three different
adults if they can define and explain what
the three branches are. Try to choose adults
who do not have government jobs and are
not involved in politics. This will allow a
more accurate reading of the typical adults
understanding of the government. Write
down their answers and give a reflection on
it.

Create a short (2-3 minutes) presentation of

what you learned. Also include the
information of the adults you asked and
their answers. You could provide what they
did or did not know according to your
research.

For the presentation you could create a

poster board with information about the
branches with pictures and colors. This is
your time to inform the class on the
distinguishing factors that make our

government a whole.
Lastly, have fun with this project. This is a
great opportunity for you to elaborate and
apply the different categories of the
American government for which you will
vote some day.

Clip Art Resources:

http://www.aperfectworld.org/government.htm

Credits

Evaluation
Category 4

Grammar and Presentation

Organization aid and notes
had little/no
spelling or
grammar
mistakes.
Well
organized.

Presentation
aid had some
spelling
errors and
grammar
mistakes.
Well
organized.

Presentation
aid had
numerous
spelling and
grammar
mistakes.
Well
organized.

Presentation
aid had
numerous
spelling and
grammar
mistakes. Aid
was
unorganized.

Procedure

Notes

Notes not

Very little

Notes clearly

Total
Points

Schoolhouse
Rock Notes

organized
and labeled

completed
and labeled,
but messy
and out of
order.

entirely
completed
and
unorganized.

notes taken.
Unorganized
and
incomplete.

Procedure
Interview
Results and
Reflection

Interviewed 3
adults and
provided a
well written
reflection
about each
interview.

Interviewed 3
adults, but
did not give a
thorough
reflection.

Interviewed
only 1-2
adults, and
provided
reflection.

Did not
interview an
adult or write
a reflection.

Presentation
Speaking

Presentation
was well
organized
with
presentation
aid.
Presentation
was 2-3
minutes long.

Presentation
was well
organized
with
presentation
aid.
Presentation
was only 1-2
minutes long.

Presentation
was
unorganized
and under
the time
requirement.
Presentation
aid was
messy and
not used.

Presentation
was
unorganized
and under
the time
requirement.
No
presentation
aid was used.

Presentation
Presentation
Aid

Presentation
aid was well
constructed
and
organized.
Clearly states
the different
branches and
powers. Used
colors and
pictures.

Presentation
aid was well
constructed
and fairly
organized.
Clearly states
the different
branches and
powers. Did
not use
colors or
pictures.

Presentation
aid was not
well
constructed
and
unorganized.
Stated
different
branches and
powers. Did
not use
colors or
pictures.

Presentation
aid was not
well
constructed
and
unorganized.
Did not state
their
different
branches or
their powers.
Did not use
colors or
pictures.