Activity: 

Students will work independently or in pairs to create a booklet to identify and distinguish the three branches of the U.S. government. Using the resources included in The Branches of the U.S. Government LaunchPack, students will gather information using the 3 Circle Venn Diagram Graphic Organizer. Students will create a booklet to describe the respective roles of the three branches of government and the system of checks and balances. Students will present their findings to the class using a gallery walk.

Graphic Organizer: See-Think-Wonder

Suggested Questions:

• How does the U.S. Constitution prevent the government from abusing its power?
• What are the duties and responsibilities of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government?
• How does the system of checks and balances work to make the three branches of government responsible to each other and to the people?

Possible Extension:

Students can participate in a mock debate where they assume the roles of various writers of the U.S. Constitution and debate the reasons why the government should or should not be separated into three branches.

SEL Connection:

Responsible Decision Making – Discuss with your students the similarities between using responsible decision making in the government and in daily middle-school life. Consider the following questions to guide your discussion: When faced with a spur-of-the-moment decision, why can pausing for a moment make a difference? Encourage students to connect their answers to the separation of powers.