SS.5.CG.3.1

In this lesson plan, students will review the three branches of government as outlined by the U.S. Constitution.  Following the review, the students will get a chance to role-play the system of checks and balances to apply the principles of the Constitution to protect citizens from outlandish laws.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson # 2 in the text unit series for Shh! We're Writing the Constitution. After the class reads pgs 14-21 in whole group, students will complete a graphic organizer to identify and describe the structure and functions of the three different branches of government. Students will then summarize using their graphic organizer including the central idea and relevant details of the text.

This unit will help students understand why and how the Constitution was created, including: the thirteen colonies and important historical figures present during the creation, the challenges and conflicts that state representatives faced during writing the Constitution, motifs and themes during the “Grand Convention,” and the relationship between state and national constitutions. Lessons will allow students to identify citizens’ civic duties outlined by the Constitution, the relationship between the federal and state Constitutions, and important historical symbols. Each part of the unit will include an in-depth dive into vocabulary and how it applies to the meaning of the text.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will review the legislative branch and learn about the history of the Senate. Students will look at the term length of senators, as well as the duties and authority of the Senate.  Students will then identify 4 senators that have represented and served Florida at the national level, across the course of history, through the development and completion of a timeline.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will use the provided interactive research guide to identify and sort the three branches of government. 

Type: Lesson Plan

In this student-guided presentation on the three branches of government, students will evaluate the choices and impacts of those choices made in the U.S. Constitution that provide the structure, power, and functions of the federal government. 

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will be introduced to how the U.S. structures its government into three branches and what each branch’s basic functions are.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will use the U.S. Constitution and their web searching skills to determine the constitutional qualifications for office, term length, authority, duties, activities, compensation, and names of elected officials for Florida and their district.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn about the structure and functions of the three branches of the U.S. federal government: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial branches. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

This PowerPoint slideshow is designed to support teachers in delivering direct instruction on the three branches of the federal government: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branches. The accompanying guided notes can be completed by students during instruction.  

Type: Presentation/Slideshow

This PowerPoint slideshow is designed to support teachers in delivering direct instruction on Florida’s national representation, including determining the constitutional qualifications for office, term length, authority, duties, activities, compensation, and names of elected officials for Florida and their district. Students will also determine the best approach toward contacting elected officials. The accompanying guided notes can be completed by students during instruction.

Type: Teaching Idea