Integrated Literary Assignment

Abbie VanderMeulen

GLECs
**4-C3.0.3Describe the organizational structure of the federal government in United States (legislative, executive, and judicial branches).**

4-C3.05 Give Examples of how the system of Checks and balances limit the power of the federal government (e.g. presidential veto of legislation, courts declaring a law unconstitutional, congressional approval of judicial appointments).

Videos and Songs

Branches of the Government Rap Allows students to know the different branches through a song aka rap. {song} 3Branches of the Governement (to the tune of Diamonds by Rihanna) having the students see others students singing about our government {song}

Three Co-Equal Branches of Government? This video talks about the if the branches of the government are equal. {video}
Three Branches of Government School House Rock {song} Three Branches Rap {song} **In any of the songs you can have the lyrics printed out and the students underline the important facts of the song**

Whats Congress by Nancy Harris

Talks about the Congress which is apart of the Legislative Branch of Government

Kids books

Our Constitution by Donald Ritchie & JusticeLearning.org

This book talks about the amendments of the constitution and we are focusing on the 10th Amendment.

Whats a President and Vice President? by Nancy Harris

This book talks about the Executive Branch

Branches of Government (Government in Action!) by John Hamilton

This is a good first book exploring our government. Talks about checks and Balances, electoral College and the three branches of the government.

Checks and Balances: The Three Branches of the American Government by Daniel Brannen and Lawrence Baker

Branches of the Government Poem

Branches of Government The government that oversees the land of the The leader of the military and the policeIs the president, whose job it is to keep the peaceEnforcing the laws makes him commander in chiefHe'll make difficult choices if it will keep you safeWhich branch of government enforces the law?What's this branch of government called?IT'S THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH!Just to be clear; we're not talking about a tree branch!The Legislative Branch is good at making the lawsAnd the Judicial branch makes sure the laws have no flawsThe Executive Branch is who enforces it all becauseBalanced, but separate powers are good for us allLegislative, judicial, executiveChecks and balances a good way to live.

Games
Checks and Balance Game- Fill in the blank and put the correct power of each branch responsible. Match the Role to the Branch of Government

Websites

Congress for Kids-Allows students to see the different branches of the government and the powers the government has. Kids.gov- Provides a valuable visual aid and important facts about the branches Blog by Ms.Dunn, this site allows useful knowledge and links including games along with pictures Bens Guide:3-5 Includes information about our nation, how laws are made, games, vocabulary, and even historical Documents.

Lesson Plan Idea

Making a brochure about the Three branches of Government. Include how they balance each other out.

Work Cited
"Branches of Government." Youtube. 26 Oct. 2012.<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt5K4ZK0ILY>. "Branches of the Government." Law Focused Education Inc. 2010. 20 Sep. 2013. <http://www.texaslre.org/branches_game/branches_game.ht ml>. Brannen, Daniel E, and Lawrence Baker. Checks and Balances : The Three Branches of the American Government. Detroit: Thomson/Gale, 2013. Brubin, Jenna. "Ranches of Government Poem." Third Grade Gwinnett. WikiSpaces, 24 May 2012. Web. 20 Sept. 2013. <http://thirdgradegwinnett.wikispaces.com/file/detail/Branches +of+Government+Poem.rtf>. "Constitution: Three Branches." Congress for Kids.<http://www.congressforkids.net/Constitution_threebranc hes.htm>. Dunn, . "Three branches of government." Social Studies - Park Fifth Grade. 8 Sep. 2009. 20 Sep. 2013. <http://park5thsocstudies.blogspot.com>. Hamilton, John. Branches of government. Edina, Minn: ABDO Pub, 2013. Harris, Nancy. Whats Congress. Chicago, Illinois: Heinemann Library, 2008 Hutchinson, Andrew . "Diamonds- Three Branches of Government." Youtube. 20 Jan. 2013. 19 Sep. 2013. <Diamonds- Three Branches of Government>. Ritchie, Donald A., and JusticeLearning.org. Our Constitution. "Three Branches Rap-Smart Songs." Youtube. 9 Sep. 2011. 18 Sep. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCB8EOY5d48>. "Three Branches of Government ." Kids.gov. 2013. 20 Sep. 2013. <http://kids.usa.gov/three-branches-ofgovernment/index.shtml>. "Three Branches of Government School House Rock." Youtube. 1 Nov. 2011. 12 Sep. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EISWIY9bG8>. "Three Branches of Government." Oceans of Teaching Ideas. 30 Sep. 2012. 20 Sep. 2013. <http://oceansofteachingideas.blogspot.com/2012/09/threebranches-of-government.html >. "Three Co-Equal Branches of Government?." Youtube. 30 Dec. 2011. 20 Sep. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhhYqRjGzBk>. "U.S. Government Games." Sheppard Software. 18 Sep. 2013. <http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/usa_game/government/i ndex.htm>. "U.S. Government." Ben's Guide . 3 Feb. 2009. 20 Sep. 2013. <http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/index.html>.

Harris, Nancy. What's a President and Vice President?Chicago, Ill: