|
Lesson Plan for The Branches of State Government
Social Studies Skill Builder
created by Sabrina Braeuer
Materials: Handouts: Preview, List of Questions, Branches of State Government Trading Cards, Acrostic exercise.
TEKS: 7.14A Government. The student understands the basic principles reflected in the Texas Constitution. The student is expected to: (A) identify how the Texas Constitution reflects the principles of limited government, checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and individual rights; and
7.15A Government. The student understands the structure and functions of government created by the Texas Constitution. The student is expected to: (A) describe the structure and functions of government at municipal, county, and state levels
Objective: The students will demonstrate their understanding of the three branches of state government by sorting 24 descriptive statements according to the powers of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government.
Overview – In this Social Studies Skill Builder, students carefully read information from the Texas history textbook describing the duties of the three branches of state government. Students will analyze 24 “cards” describing various powers of the three branches of state government and then categorize the information according to the branch.
Preview: Analysis of primary source quote. See attached.
Activity:
- Each student will sit with a partner.
- Each pair will receive a list of 24 constitutional questions. For example: “Who has the power to pass laws?”
- Using the textbook, students read and answer each question in a sentence on the graphically organized notes, Branches of State Government trading cards.
- As students answer all of the constitutional questions, they will categorize the information according to the branch of government- L=Legislative, E=Executive, J=Judicial.
- Answers should be checked by the teacher as each pair completes the activity.
Processing:
Complete an acrostic using the letters of the word government. The first line has been started. Make sure the complete acrostic meets these requirements:
|
