BASIC INFORMATION:
Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/index.html
(I know it says grades 3-5, but this is a really good site, with lots of diagrams, to help
you understand our national government.)
Brief video to explain the Three Branches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuFR5XBYLfU
NY State Preparation for Regents exam: http://www.regentsprep.org/regents/ushisgov/themes/government/checks.htm
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Watch this video about the Executive Branch:
Now, check out a Webquest about the Executive Branch, but READ THESE DIRECTIONS FIRST:
• AFTER you click on the icivics link (NOT YET!), you will choose:
• Executive Branch
• "Webquests"
• "Being President"
• NOW, click on http://www.icivics.org/ to get started.
PRESIDENT/WHITE HOUSE: http://www.whitehouse.gov/
DIAGRAMS TO USE FOR ORGANIZATION:
• use this diagram in your GE placemark for organization (copy and paste it): http://www.bu.edu/lawlibrary/graphics/gov_chart.png
• here's another diagram which is a little more simple: http://html.cita.uiuc.edu/text/info/images/ex-org1.gif
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Watch these videos about the Legislative Branch:
Now, check out a Webquest about the Legislative Branch, but READ THESE DIRECTIONS FIRST:
• AFTER you click on the icivics link (NOT YET!), you will choose:
• Legislative Branch
• "Webquests"
• "Making Laws"
• NOW, click on http://www.icivics.org/ to get started.
CONGRESS: http://www.senate.gov/ AND http://www.house.gov/
• Link to find your US Representative: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/findyourreps.xpd?state=MA
• Here's what's currently going on in Congress: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/all
DIAGRAM TO USE FOR ORGANIZATION:
• Here's a diagram you can use for your project. Just copy and paste the link: http://www.rightsofthepeople.com/education/government_for_kids/images/icons/legislative_68.jpg
DIAGRAM TO USE TO HELP WITH HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW:
• Here's a link to help you understand "how a bill becomes a law" http://www.cyberlearning-world.com/lessons/civics/lp.bill_to_law_files/image002.jpg
JUDICIAL BRANCH
Watch these videos about the Judicial Branch:
Now, check out a Webquest about the Judicial Branch, but READ THESE DIRECTIONS FIRST:
• AFTER you click on the icivics link (NOT YET!), you will choose:
• Judicial Branch
• "Webquests"
• "The Courts in a Nutshell"
• NOW, click on http://www.icivics.org/ to get started.
Learn about our justice system on the main site: http://www.courtsed.org/
and on this link (the animation is terrific) from the main site: http://www.courtsed.org/courts-in-the-classroom/
See attachments below for a diagram which shows the layout of a typical court room.
SUPREME COURT: http://www.supremecourt.gov/
• Justices of the Supreme Court: http://www.supremecourt.gov/about/members.aspx
• use this page to learn how the Supreme Court works
• use this page to learn about lower Federal courts
DIAGRAMS TO USE FOR ORGANIZATION:
• use one of these diagrams in your GE placemark for organization (copy and paste it):
http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/scales/codiag.gif
http://www.law.seattleu.edu/images/research/startingpoints/pyramid.gif
http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/Images/Federal%20Courts.jpg
GAMES TO PLAY WHEN YOU'RE ALL DONE WITH YOUR PROJECT:
READ THESE DIRECTIONS FIRST!!!
1. After clicking on the icivics link, click on the "Play Games" button at the top.
2. Choose "Executive Command." Print out your final score and hand in. Maybe you are one of the top ten leaders for our class!
3. Then, if you have time, play "Represent Me!"
4. Later, for a challenge, play "Separation of Powers" or "Win the White House."
Use this site for the games: http://www.icivics.org/
CHECKS AND BALANCES:
A good diagram to use for info: http://home.sjfc.edu/cals/units/dominick/candb.gif
Here's a video which has many examples of checks and balances:
You can also check out this video for help: http://congress.indiana.edu/how-bill-becomes-law
Ever wonder why we have a national government in the first place? I mean, what does it do? This video gives you a sense of the purpose of our national government.
This video introduces you to the three branches of our national government.