Download Tic Tac Toe Branches of Government

United States
“Three Branches of Government” Writing Project Menu
Name:
Due Date:
Find the name of
Pretend your
Research one of
your local United States
classroom has decided to the most popular
Senator and write a letter make three branches of
Supreme Court Decisions
to him/her stating the
government for your
in the United States (for
problems in your state
class. Write a description example: Brown vs. The
that you would like them of your classroom’s
Board of Education).
to discuss while the next branches and create at
Write a report about the
United States Senate is in least five responsibilities
background of the
session in Washington
for each branch.
decision and important
D.C.
facts about the Supreme
Court’s ruling before and
after it was decided.
Which would you
rather be a president,
member of Congress or a
Supreme Court Judge?
Write a one page or more
paper that explains which
job you would prefer and
which job you would
least prefer. For each of
your choices include
three reasons to explain
your reasoning.
Create three
posters for your
classroom that describe
the duties of each of the
three branches. Include
illustrations.
Create a brochure
that explains how a bill
starts and then becomes
a law. Add illustrations.
Write a pretend
interview with the
President of the United
States in which all the
responsibilities of the
Executive Branch are
discussed. There should
be at least ten questions
and answers in your
interview.
Using one of your
favorite song tunes, write
a parody of the song
creating lyrics about the
duties of the Three
Branches of Government.
Write a poem that
describes the differences
between the Senate and
House of Representatives
in the Legislative Branch.
Include at least four
stanzas.
Complete three activities in tic tac toe order.
@GinaKennedy
The Three Branches of Government
Delegates at the Constitutional Convention also wanted to
divide power within the federal government. They did not want these powers to
be controlled by just one man or one group. The delegates were afraid that if a
small group received too much power, the United States would wind up under
the rule of another dictator or tyrant.
To avoid the risk of dictatorship or tyranny, the group divided the new
government into three parts, or branches: the executive branch, the legislative
branch, and the judicial branch.
Executive Branch: Headed by the president. The
president carries out federal laws and recommends new
ones, directs national defense and foreign policy, and
performs ceremonial duties. Powers include directing
government, commanding the Armed Forces, dealing with
international powers, acting as chief law enforcement
officer, and vetoing laws.
Legislative Branch: Headed by Congress, which
includes the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The main task of these two bodies is to make the laws.
Its powers include passing laws, originating spending bills
(House), impeaching officials (Senate), and approving
treaties (Senate).
Judicial Branch: Headed by the Supreme Court. Its
powers include interpreting the Constitution, reviewing
laws, and deciding cases involving states' rights.
@GinaKennedy
Student completed the assignment and
included all the components required in the directions…………..40 Points
Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar……………………………………………………..20 points
Paragraphs are used and the paper is organized and
structured…………………………………………………………………………………………..20 Points
Topic Sentences and Conclusions are included………………………….. 20 Points
Total Possible……………………………………………………………………………………100 Points
@GinaKennedy
Three Branches of Government
Vocabulary
Terms
Bill
Law
Definitions
a statute in draft before it becomes law
legal document setting forth rules governing a
particular kind of activity
census
a period count of the population
elastic clause the part of the Constitution that permits Congress
to make any laws "necessary and proper" to
carrying out its powers
Impeach
bring an accusation against
Writ of Habeas a court order that requires police to bring a
Corpus
prisoner to court to explain why they are holding
the person
Pocket Veto
when a president kills a bill passed during the last
10 days Congress is in session by simply refusing
to act on it
Electoral
the body of electors who formally elect the United
College
States president and vice-president
Elector
person appointed to vote in presidential elections
for the major candidates
Executive
a rule issued by the president that has the force of
Order
law
pardon
a warrant granting release from punishment for
an offense
amnesty
the formal act of liberating someone
Treaty
a formal agreement between the governments of
two or more countries
ambassador an official representative of a country's
government
chief justice
the judge who presides over a supreme court
Judiciary Act The Act set the number of Supreme Court justices
of 1789
at six: one Chief Justice and five Associate
Justices. The Supreme Court was given exclusive
original jurisdiction over all civil actions between
states, or between a state and the United States,
as well as over all suits and proceedings brought
against ambassadors and other diplomatic
personnel; and original, but not exclusive,
jurisdiction over all other cases in which a state
was a party and any cases brought by an
ambassador.
@GinaKennedy
Cabinet
persons appointed by a head of state to head
executive departments of government and act as
official advisers
overturn
rule against
constitutional law that involves the interpretation and
law
application of the U.S. Constitution and state
constitutions
embargo
a government order imposing a trade barrier
Gideon v.
a landmark case in United States Supreme Court
Wainwright
history. In the case, the Supreme Court
unanimously ruled that state courts are required
under the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution to
provide counsel in criminal cases for defendants
unable to afford their own attorneys.
Brown v. the 1954, Decision said "separate educational facilities
Board of
are inherently unequal"
Education
Miranda v.
The accused must be notified of their rights before
Arizona
being questioned by the police
Bush v. Gore this case ruled in favor of Bush by saying that
recounting the votes in certain counties of Florida
was unconstitutional because of equal protection
of the law; Gore's wish to make the process as
simple and painless as possible backfired
@GinaKennedy