3 Branches of Government! NO PREP UNIT PLAN

U.S. GOVERNMENT / CIVICS:

THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT - NO PREP BUNDLE

Introduction

• Lesson Handout and PowerPoint on the creation of the Republic, 3 Branches of Government, Separation of Powers & Checks and Balances.

Executive Branch

Lesson 1: Special Powers of the President

• Summary of presidential roles: chief of state, chief executive, chief administrator, chief diplomat, commander in chief, chief legislator, chief of party, chief citizen
• Guided notes, video links and discussion questions on special powers of the President
• Presidential PardoN, Executive OrderS, Executive Privilege

Lesson 2: The Cabinet

• List of 15 Departments in Executive Cabinet
• Video link: Origin of the President’s Cabinet
• Fill-in notes on the role of each department plus other members of the Presidential Cabinet (chief of staff, ambassador to UN, etc.)
• Practice questions: federal agencies of the cabinet departments

Extra Activities:

• The Role of the President: 2 page reading on various roles of the President with graphic organizer and Answer Key
• The Role of the Vice President: 3-page reading on history and powers of the VP with Questions (Answer Key included)
• Cabinet and Agencies Research: students research departments to learn about their secretaries, roles, current events, and agencies. Research also includes federal agencies.

Legislative Branch

Lesson 1: The House and Senate

• T-Chart Notes House vs. Senate
• Term, age requirements, constituents, special duties, leader in DC, and more
• Primary responsibility = Pass Laws
• How A Bill Becomes a Law graphic
• SchoolHouse Rock Video link
• Closure activity – Scavenger Hunt
• PowerPoint presentation to follow lesson

Lesson 2: Your Representatives

• Congressional Map of the U.S.
• Who represents you? Chart
• When and How are your Representatives and Senators elected? Reading Passage
• Facts/Stats fill-in notes: longest-serving members of House and Senate, oldest current members
• Should Congress have term limits? Pro Con Debate with Writing sample
• PowerPoint presentation to follow lesson

Lesson 3: Impeachment Process

• What is Impeachment? Reading and Questions
• Impeachment Process Flowchart
• Video: How To Impeach a President
• Historical Impeachment Notes and Graphics
• PowerPoint presentation to follow lesson

Extra Activities:

· House vs. Senate Quiz (with Answer Key)

· Progress Check (with Answer Key)

· Congress WebQuest

Judicial Branch

Lesson 1: The Judicial Branch

• Reading passages and guiding questions on The Supreme Court, Supreme Court Justices, and Importance of the Supreme Court
• Two court case examples and their implications: Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) and Roper v. Simmons (2005)
• How does a case get to the Supreme Court? Video Link

Lesson 2: Supreme Court Simulation

• Can be used at any point in the unit*
• Illinois v. Wardlow (2000). Overview of the case - analyze the facts, read and study arguments from both sides.
• Randomly assign students as Supreme Court justices to rule on the issue, or take a poll from the entire class.
• Discuss impact of the actual ruling on life in America.

Lesson 3: Justices

• How Judges and Justices are Chosen article
• The Supreme Court Today: recap and details of recent activity on the Supreme Court (2018 – Kavanaugh, 2020 – Barrett, 2022 – Jackson). Notes and Graphics on confirmation processes
• Age and Tenure on the Supreme Court chart
• Should Supreme Court justices have age or term limits?
• Pro Con debate with writing sample

Extra Activities:

· 2 Page reading and video on Courtpacking

· Supreme Court cases Students Should Know Research

BONUS FILES: UNIT ASSESSMENTS

>Review Packet

>35 Question Multiple Choice Quiz

>Short Answer Exam

answer keys for each!