Module 13: The Three Branches of Government-Social Studies 3 - Course Guide

Module Overview:

In this module, students will learn to explain the concept of “consent of the governed” and the rights retained by citizens and distinguish between local, state, and federal governments. They will identify the role of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches and distinguish how the role of each branch differs from the roles of other branches.

Module Materials:

  • Pencils
  • Crayons or colored pencils
  • Notebook
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Highlighter
  • Markers
  • Blank paper

Module Objectives:

Lesson # Lesson Title Objective(s)
1 The Consent of the Governed
  1. Explain the concept of “consent of the governed” and the rights retained by citizens.
2 Levels of Government
  1. Distinguish between local, state, and federal governments.
3 The Legislative Branch
  1. Identify the role of the legislative branch.
  2. Distinguish how the role of the legislative branch differs from the roles of other branches.
4 The Judicial Branch
  1. Identify the role of the judicial branch.
  2. Distinguish how the judicial branch differs from the other branches of government.
5 The Executive Branch
  1. Identify the role of the executive branch.
  2. Distinguish how it differs from the roles of other branches.

Module Key Words:

Key Words
consent
government
Declaration of Independence
local government
state government
federal government
legislative branch
United States
judicial branch
executive branch
checks and balances

Module Assignments:

Lesson # Lesson Title Page # Assignment Title
2 Levels of Government 5 Levels of Government Assignment
4 The Judicial Branch 5 Court Levels in the Judicial Branch Assignment
5 The Executive Branch 5 The Executive Branch Assignment

Learning Coach Notes:

Lesson # Lesson Title Notes
1 The Consent of the Governed After completing this lesson, ask your student to explain the following: consent of the governed, natural rights, monarchy, democracy, and the rule of law.
2 Levels of Government After completing this lesson, ask your student to explain what the three levels of government are and the purpose of each level.
3 The Legislative Branch After completing this lesson, ask your student to describe the purpose of the legislative branch of government.
4 The Judicial Branch After completing this lesson, ask your student to describe the purpose of the judicial branch of government.
5 The Executive Branch After completing this lesson, ask your student to describe the purpose of the executive branch of government, name all three branches of government, and explain why we have three branches of government.

Module Guiding Questions:

When a student starts a lesson ask them questions to check for prior knowledge and understanding and to review concepts being taught. At the end of the lesson ask the questions again to see if their answer changes.

Lesson Title Question
The Consent of the Governed
  1. How does the government gain its power?
Levels of Government
  1. What are the levels of government?
The Legislative Branch
  1. What does the legislative branch do?
The Judicial Branch
  1. What does the judicial branch do?
The Executive Branch
  1. What does the executive branch do?

Module Video Questions:

When a student watches a video take time to ask them questions about what they watched. Suggested questions for the videos in this module are listed here. Suggestion: Have the student watch the entire video first all the way through. Then have them watch the video a second time, as they watch it pause the video and ask the questions.

Lesson Title Video Question

Module Suggested Read Aloud Books:

Take time to read to your student or have them read aloud to you. Read a different book each day. While reading the book point out concepts being taught. You may purchase these books or find them at your local library. Suggested things to discuss while reading the book:

  • What is the main idea?
  • What are three things new you learned?
  • How does this book relate to what you are learning about?

# Book Author Lexile Level
1 Branches of Government (Government in Action!) John Hamilton

Module Outing:

Take some time to apply what your student is learning to the real world. Suggested outings are below.

# Outing