Hands-+On+Activity+Demo


 * Hands- On Activity Demo**

TCH 347 Social Studies Methods **Hands-On Activity Lesson Plan**
 * Lesson Topic**: The Three Branches of the United States Government
 * Grade Level**: 3-4
 * Time:** One class


 * PA Standards**
 * ** 5.3.4.A: ** Identify the roles of the three branches of **government.**
 * ** 5.3.5.A: **Describe the responsibilities and powers of the three branches of **government.**


 * NCSS Theme**
 * Power, Authority and Governance


 * Learning Objective**s
 * Students will be able to use brown paper bags and construction paper to create a tree with three leaves representing the Three Branches of Government.
 * Students will be able to identify the Three Branches of Government and describe what the main idea of each is.

Brown paper bags, different color construction paper (green, red, orange), scissors, stapler, and handout of graphic organizer.
 * Materials Preparation**

//__Executive Branch__//- passes or vetoes the law or bill (President, Vice President) //__Legislative Branch__//- writes the bill or law (Congress, Representatives/ Senators) //__Judicial Branch__//- explains and applies the laws through court cases (District Court, Court of Appeals, Supreme Court)
 * Hands-On Activity Description**
 * 1) The teacher will ask the students about any previous knowledge pertaining to the Three Branches of Government, then provide details for the unknown facts.
 * 1) The teacher will hand out the materials needed for the activity (brown paper bags, different color paper, scissors, and a stapler).
 * 2) Students will create a tree using brown paper bags, and then the leaves using construction paper. When stapling the three leaves on the tree, the students will explain what each leaf represents and tell the main purpose of the leaf (Each leaf represents a branch of government).
 * 3) Students will vote on whose tree looks the best.
 * 4) The teacher will hand out the graphic organizer for the students to fill in after the lesson is over.

//Informal:// The teacher will informally observe the students ability to follow directions when creating the tree branch with leaves, as well as the final product. //Formal:// Students will work independently to fill in the graphic organizer that emphasizes the three branches of government along with the main idea of what each branch does.
 * Assessment**


 * //Attachment://** Three Branches of Government Blank Graphic Organizer