Name: Chloe Olsen

Date: Thursday April 28, 2016

Content Area: Civics and Government: Legislative Branch
Grade Level: 4th Grade

Big Idea or Essential Question: Who makes up the Legislative Branch? What role
does the Legislative Branch have?

Curriculum Standards: 5.3.4.A: Identify the roles of the three branches of government.

Lesson Objectives:
1. The students will be able to identify what groups make up the Legislative Branch.
2. The students will be able to state what role the Legislative Branch has in the
United States government.

Assessment: The students will participate in a class sort activity on the three branches
of government.

Materials and Resources:

Giant Magnetic Three Branches of Government Concept Map
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOS7RGpvNVs&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCB8EOY5d48
iPad, projector, airplay
Three Branches of Government PowerPoint
Three Branches of Government class sort

Vocabulary:
Legislative Branch: the United States government branch that makes the laws.
Congress: the group of members that make up the Legislative Branch
Senate: a group that makes up part of the Congress; each state has 2 senators
House of Representatives: a group that makes up part of the Congress; each state
has a different amount based on state population.
The Constitution: A document that embodies the fundamental laws and principles by
which the United States is governed.

Anticipatory Set: Watch the Three Branches of Government videos and have the
students to listen for which branch has the most power or is in charge. At end of the
video, have students whisper which branch they think has the most power. State how
all three branches are equal in power. Discuss checks and balances.

Procedures:
1. Following the anticipatory set, state how we are going to learn about the
Legislative Branch today.
2. Explain the concept map activity.
 3. To review the Executive and Judicial branches display concept map items on the
board. Ask the class questions about the two branches. The student with the
correct answer can place the item on the board and draw an arrow to connect the
phrases. Meanwhile, the students are writing in the answers on their paper copy.
4. Add one term to the concept map at a time.
5. Once concept map is complete, have students place their paper copies in the
corner of their desk.
6. Display the Three Branches of Government PowerPoint to review the authority
figures for each branch and how they correspond to the school districts roles.
7. Do assessment. Explain how the activity will run and go over expectations.

Adaptations: Adult assistance from Miss Olsen and Mrs. Ferris for all students.
Display teacher copy of concept map for AE, CG, NV, GC, and other students that need
a visual aid for writing.

Closure: Have students think of other school district jobs and compare them to the
legislative branch. (Congress=School Board which is made up of Parents(Senate) and
Community Members(House of Representatives))

Lesson Evaluation/Reflection: