The Branches of Government

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The Branches of Government

• By Rebecca Stultz
• ED 639

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Unit DemocracyGrade 6Lesson Branches of
Government
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Objectives

• Learn the definition of each branch of
  government.
• Know the responsibilities of each branch of
  government.
• Learn who holds the current offices on federal,
  state, and local level.

Why do I have to learn this????
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Materials Needed

• LCD Projector, Screen, and Power Point
  Presentation - Branches of Government
• Handout - Scavenger Hunt
• Internet access for students
• Envelopes and stamps
• Copy of Goldilocks and the Three Bears

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Government Web Sites
- State of Ohio - www.ohio.gov
- U.S. Courts - www.uscourts.gov
- U.S. House of Representatives www.house.gov/
- United States Senate www.Senate.gov
- The White House www.whitehouse.gov
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Student Activities

• Complete an internet scavenger hunt
• Power Point Presentation
• Write a letter to their congressman requesting
  them to write a new law.
• Mock Trial - Goldilocks and the Three Bears
• Parent Questions

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Our Feature Presentation

• The Branches of Government

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Ever Wonder...

• What is government?
• What are the three branches of government?
• Why do we have three branches of government?
• What power do the three branches have?
• Who are the leaders of the three branches?

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What is a Government?

• People who live in groups or communities need
  established rules.
• A government is the organization that makes the
  rules, settles disagreements, and protects the
  community from those who break the rules.
• The government is given the power to carry out
  their authority over society.

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Three Types of Power

• Legislative Power
• Executive Power
• Judicial Power

Has the power to make the laws
Has the power to carry out the laws
Has the power to interpret the laws
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Legislative Branch

• The legislative branch is
  responsible for making the laws.
• The Federal Government has two parts
• Senate
• House of Representatives

Powers of Congress The Congress makes the laws
on matters involving our national interests,
such as controlling trade with other countries,
printing our national money, and declaring wars.
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House of Representatives

• Number of Members?
• Length of Term?
• Representation
• Elected By?

435
2 years
Based on the size of the states population
Voters from a particular Congressional district
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U.S. Senate

• Number of Members?
• Length of Term?
• Representation
• Elected By?

100
George Voinovich
6 years
Two from each state
Mike DeWine
Voters from the entire state
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Executive Branch

• The executive branch is responsible for carrying
  out the laws passed by Congress.
• The Chief Executive of the Executive Branch at
  the federal level is the president.

Powers of the Executive Branch The president
proposes a budget for the national government,
acts as Commander-in-Chief for our armed forces,
appoints leading federal officials, and guides
our nations foreign policy.
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President

• Length of Term?
• Number of Terms
• Qualifications

4 years
George W. Bush
A maximum of two full terms
35 years, a resident of the United States for 14
years, and a natural-born citizen
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Judicial Branch

• The judicial branch is responsible for
  interpreting the U.S. Constitution. It does this
  by deciding specific cases brought before the
  court.
• The highest court is the U.S. Supreme Court.

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U.S. Supreme Court

• Number of Justices?
• Length of Term?
• How are Justices selected?
• Qualifications?

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Chief Justice William Rehnquist
Justices serve for life
Nominated by the President, but must also be
approved by the U.S. Senate
There are no qualifications mentioned in the U.S.
Constitution for being a U.S. justice.
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Three Branches of Government
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Three Levels of Government

• Not only is the government split into three
  branches, but it is also arranged on three
  levels.
• The federal government deals with issues that
  affect all citizens.
• State and local governments are allowed to pass
  laws on matters that pertain just to their state
  or city.

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Division of Government Powers
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Ask your parents tonight...

• Who is the governor of Ohio?
• Who is the mayor of Fairborn?
• Where are the state courts located? Why?
• Where are the municipal courts located? Why?
• What is one federal law, one state law, and one
  local law?

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Upcoming Activities

• Discuss Parent Answers
• Write a letter to Congress proposing a new law.
• Mock trial for Goldilocks and the Three Bears
• Internet Scavenger Hunt
• home.earthlink.net/schuessler/Class_Projects/3_Br
  anches_of_Government.html