Teresa Aniceto

EDU 5170
Technology Lesson Plan
9th Grade Government Class

Standers
NYS Social Studies Standards:
A. Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of
major ideas, eras, themes, developments, and turning points in the history of the United
States and New York
B. Important ideas and social cultural values, beliefs and traditions from New York State
and United States history illustrate the connections and interaction of people and events
across time and from a variety of perspectives
C. Study about the major social, political, economic, cultural, and religious developments in
New York State and United States history involves learning about important roles and
contributions of individuals and groups

ISTE NETS Standards: Research and information fluency- Students apply digital tools to
gather, evaluate and use information.
A. Plan strategies to guide inquiry
B. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a
variety of sources and media
C. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to
specific tasks
D. Process data and report result

Lesson Objective(s)
1- Content Objectives:
Students will:
A. Identify the composition of the three branches of government
B. Understand how powers are separated among the three branches
C. Learn about each branchs powers through interpreting Articles I, II and III of the
Constitution
2- Technology Objectives:
A. Students will use the World Wide Web to play an interactive game that will help them
learn more on the subject matter.
B. Students will use previous knowledge of Microsoft to create a chart for future review

Introduce the Learning Activity

Introduce students to the concept of separation of powers by asking them to identify the branches
of government as specifically as possible. Ask students the following questions to guide the
discussion.
A. How many branches exist in the U.S. government?
B. What are the names of each of the three branches?

C. Who makes up the legislative branch?

D. Who makes up the executive branch?
E. Who makes up the judicial branch?

Provide Information
Using a PowerPoint I will provide the following information
The U.S. government is comprised of three branches: the executive, legislative and
judicial branches.
The legislative branch, or the Congress, is a bicameral legislature, meaning that it has two
distinct parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has 100
members, with two from each state. The House of Representatives has 435 members,
with at least two from each state.
Each states number of representatives varies directly with its population; more populated
states, like New York and California, therefore have more representatives.
Voters elect their senators every six years and their representatives every two years.
The executive branch includes the president, members of the Cabinet, and heads of
additional federal agencies.
Voters elect a president every four years. In turn, the president appoints individuals as
ambassadors, members of the Cabinet, and heads of several additional federal agencies,
including the C.I.A. and Environmental Protection Agency. Members of the Cabinet
oversee 15 executive departments, including the Departments of Homeland Security,
Education, Health and Human Services, etc.
The judicial branch consists of the U.S. Supreme Court and lower federal courts.
Nine justices, including a chief justice, comprise the Supreme Court and are appointed by
the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Justices remain in office until they choose to resign, pass away or are impeached or
convicted by Congress.
Federal judges who serve in the countrys many district courts or one of the countrys 13
courts of appeals are also appointed, not elected, and serve indefinitely.
Explain that the U.S. Constitution grants specific powers to each branch of government. More
commonly known as separation of powers, the distinct powers of each branch make it harder
for the government to abuse its power.

Provide Practice
A. Students will use the website https://www.usmint.gov/kids/games/branchesofpower/ to
play an interactive game that will help them better understand the three branches of
government
B. Students will use Microsoft Word to create a chart to show their understanding of the
three branches of government. They must include the Branch, Who works there, and what
do they do?

Provide Knowledge of Results

I will walk around the room addressing any issues or questions that may arise. If I see
that there is a struggle on a certain part, I will address the class as a whole. If students win the
game that is great, however if a student does not complete the quest there are no consequences.

Review the Activity

After the class finishes the game. I will ask what they thought of the activity, was it too
easy, or just right. I will also ask whether they found it helpful. After we will move on to create
our chart on Microsoft, the amount of information they type on their chart will also give me a
better understanding on whether they truly understand the role of the three branches of
government.

Method of Assessment
There will be two different forms of assessment depending on time.
A.
If the class is coming to an end in less than 5 minutes students will submit a loose leaf
paper in where they list all three branches of government and one power they have.
B.
If there is more than 5 minutes left in class time, students will be given a pop quiz.
Students that get all questions correct will be given two extra points on their next exam. Quiz is
attached at the end of the lesson plan.

Name: ________________________
Date: _________________________
Class: _________________________
Quiz #5

Power
Introduces laws
Declares laws unconstitutional
Signs bills into law
Coins money
Nominates Supreme Court justices
Declares war
Borrows money on behalf of the United States
Overrides a presidential veto
Makes treaties
Impeaches/Removes the president

Branch of Government (legislative,

executive or judicial?)