Democracy Spreads Its Branches
| State | WV |    |
| Status | Ready for Users | |
| Stage | Public | |
| Subject | English/Language Arts Fine Arts Social Studies | |
| Author | Janie Bailey
Angel Bodnar Pat Perry | |
| Description | This integrated unit immerses fifth grade students into a
very difficult, albeit essential, topic. Our goal is to present the study of the three branches of the United States Government in a way that will allow students to learn the responsibilities of each branch through hands-on activities, technology, art, music, social studies, research, and language arts. We hope these lessons will enhance your class study of United States civics. | |
| The 21st Century Tools | Multi-media computer, Internet, PowerPoint, Overhead Projector, Word Processing Software or Microsoft Word. | |
| Grade Level | 5 | |
| National Standards | Art:
Understands connections among the various art forms and other disciplines Social Studies: Understands the major characteristics of systems of shared powers and of parliamentary systems Understands how the United States Constitution grants and distributes power and responsibilities to national and state government and how it seeks to prevent the abuse of power Understands ideas about civic life, politics, and government Understands the essential characteristics of limited and unlimited governments Understands the major characteristics of shared powers and of parliamentary systems Knows how the values and principles of American democracy can be promoted through government Understands the central ideas of American constitutional government and how this form of government has shaped the character of American society Music: Sings, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music Technology: Understands the nature and uses of different forms of technology Knows the characteristics and uses of computer hardware and operating systems Language Arts: Uses viewing skils and strategies to understand and interpret visual media Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of informational texts Uses the general skills and strategies of the reading process Gathers and uses information for research purposes Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies of the writing process Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media | |
| Keywords | exective branch
judicial branch legislative branch United States government checks and balances | |
| Lesson Plan URLs (new Window) | Overview: Democracy Spreads Its Branches
Lesson 1: What Does a Tree Have To Do With Government? Lesson 2: Who's the Boss? The Executive Branch Lesson 3: Let the People Be Heard: The Legislative Branch Lesson 4: Here Ye, Here Ye, Here Ye! The Judicial Branch Lesson 5: What Do You Know About Your Government? | |
| References | Books:
Woodrow, the White House Mouse by Peter Barnes Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina House Mouse, Senate Mouse by Peter Barnes Marshall, the Courthouse Mouse by Peter Barnes The Kid Who Became President by Dan Gutman Internet Sites: Ben's Guide to Government for Kids SchoolHouse Rock; Three-Ring Government USA Government encyclopedia.com dictionary.com Oyez Oyez Oyez: Virtual of the US Supreme Court amazon.com Scholastic.com WorldBook.com Software: Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word | |
| English IGO or CSO | 5.172, 5.15, 5.25, 5.4, 5.5, 5.16, 5.7, 5.11, 5.52, 5.54, 5.62 | |
| Fine Arts IGO or CSO | 5.18, 5.25 | |
| Social Studies IGO or CSO | 5.4, 5.5, 5.3, 5.186, 5.58, 5.79, 5.57 | |