Symbols of Our Three Branches of Government
Grade Level: Grades 3-5
Subjects: Social Studies, Language Arts (Writing), Technology (PowerPoint)
Learner Outcomes:
The student will be able to:
1. Identify the pictured landmark by name
2. Identify the branch of government associated with the
pictured landmark
3. Able to use reference source , including the internet, to
collect and use factual information
about Washington
landmarks
4. Identify and use appropriate reference sources for different
types of information
5. Take notes to get factual information for their presentation
6. Discuss the responsibilities of each of the three branches
of government
7. Develop a final presentation in PowerPoint to relate
landmark to branch of government and
responsibilities of that branch
Duration of Lesson: 9 - 10 hours over 4 days (one
for each branch of the government)
1 hour - Teacher PowerPoint presentation to introduce
activity
3 hours (one hour each) - Virtual tour
of each of the three landmarks on the Intenet
3 hours (one hour each) - Role play
activities taking place in each branch
2-3 hours - Complete template for PowerPoint
presentation
1 hour - Final activitiy, sharing
of presentations
Materials:
List of web sites to visit for each branch of government
Structured worksheet to complete while visiting web sites
Teacher-created template for PowerPoint presentation
Technology Tools/Courseware:
PowerPoint
Internet access
Projection device
Teacher Notes:
The teacher will need to create a PowerPoint template that the students
can use in creating their presentations.
The teacher will need to create a virtual field trip to the buildings
representing the three branches of the government to
model the use of PowerPoint. This presentation will use the same
template as the one to be used by the students.
The focus of this lesson is to relate the historic buildings in Washington, D.C. with the activities of each of the three branches of government. This would provide a concrete image for students to relate to the more abstract responsibilities of their jobs.
Procedures:
1. Using a projection device introduce this activity by showing
a short PowerPoint presentation showing the three
buildings and associating them with the branchesof
government
2. Do the K-W parts of a KWL chart listing what the students
already know about the responsibilities of the
three branches of government
3. Use the White
House worksheet to demonstrate buildings can help us to understand
the roles and responsibilities of each
of the three branches of government.
This worksheet shows how each of the rooms in White House serves a special
function relating to the Executive Branch
3. Divide the class into three teams, each representing one of
the branches of government
Each team will divide into two subgroups -
one focuing on the building, one on the responsibilities
Each team will decide on how they will create
their PowerPoint presentation
4. Provide time for the groups to gather information, having
a variety of on-line and off-line reference sources
5. Have the students create a short skit that ould demonstrate
their responsibilities
5. Provide time for the groups to draft a storyboard based on
the template for their PowerPoint presentation
6. Provide time at the computer to put their information into
the PowerPoint template
Modifications:
1. Provide additional structure and more support as needed
2. Pair slower students or students with special students with
a “study buddy” while working on the Internet
to collect factual information
3. Provde alternatives methods of demonstrating mastery of the
objectives
4. Can create a shorter version of the template based on the
abilities of the students.
5. Allow student to orally dictate their information
6. Have recorded versions of some of the reference sources for
slower readers
Enrichment Activities:
1. Have students with more computer experience create their presentation
without the use of the teacher-created
template.
2. Have the students scan or download pictures of the buildings
and use in creating a three part mobile to creatively
show the three parts of the governement.
Combine pictures of buildings with words describing their responsibilities.
3. Have students download pictures to create a three-part bulletin
board. Have students locate pictures of individuals
who work in the three branches
4. Locate current events articles in newspapers and magazines
that relate to the activities of the three branches
5. These historic buildings demonstrate a variety of architectural
forms. Have students research architectural design
and identify the architectural forms found
in each of these buildings
Evaluation/Assessment:
Can the student identify the pictured landmark by name when presented
with a picture ?
Can the student identify the branch of government associated with the
picture of the landmark?
Was the student able to use reference source , including the internet,
to collect and use factual information
about these
three Washington buildings ?
Was the student able to identify and use appropriate reference sources
for different types of information?
Was the student able to take notes to get factual information for their
presentation
Can the student discuss the responsibilities of each of the three branches
of government?
Was the student able to develop a final presentation in PowerPoint
to relate landmark to branch of government and
responsibilities of that branch?
Was the student able to work cooperatively in the group to complete
this activity?
West Virginia Instructional
Goals and Objectives:
Languages Arts
Writing 3.42, 4.49, 4.50,
5.56
Computer Technology 3.85, 4.95, 5.180
Social Studies
Civics 3.1, 3.2, 3.12,
3.15, 3.16, 3.17, 4.1, 4.7, 4.10, 5.4,
5.8
References:
Lesson Plans Around the White House
Outline of American Government (high reading level)
Virtual Tour of
Supreme Court Building
Created by: Judy Werner, Cheat Lake Elementary School, Morgantown, WV
Date Created: March 11, 1999
Date Modified:
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