Day 14
Unit of Study: Citizenship and Gov’t
Lesson: Listening Center
Topic: 3 branches of gov’t and their roles
Goals:
- Listeners think carefully about songs by focusing on what they can learn from the lyrics.
- Students will describe an important role of each branch of our government.
Materials:
*Computers/iPads to access two song videos:
Three Branches of Government. “Checks and Balances”
School House Rocks “Three Ring Circus”
*Print Lyrics for each Song for students to read and reference
*Print instruction and journal entry sample for students to reference
Student Instruction Sheet
Goals:
- I can think carefully about songs by focusing on what they can learn from the lyrics.
- I will describe an important role of each branch of our government.
Instructions:
Now that we have been introduced to the three branches of government we need to learn more about the role of each branch, why each branch is important and why we have three separate branches. This listening center will give you a chance to learn more about each of the three branches through two different songs.
- Please read the song titles, introduction and lyrics before you listen to each song.
- Then listen to each song and as you listen, follow along on your lyrics sheet.
- On your lyrics sheet highlight the branches of government each time you hear one mentioned in the song and write a quick note what you learned about when that branch that branch was mentioned.
- After you have listened to each song answer the following questions in your social studies notebook.
- Remember: You can certainly listen to the songs more than once.
Format for Journal Entry:
Date: Oct. ___
Topic: 3 branches of Government
●Make a three column chart with a branch of our government at the top of each column
●Write roles, responsibilities, or facts you learned about each branch in the correct column
Answer these questions:
Why do we have three branches of government?
Why do you think these two songs were written?
Three Branches of Government “Checks and Balances”
(from Flocabulary.com)
This song explains the three branches of the US government and the system of checks and balances. Laws are written in the Legislative branch, which contains the Senate and the House of Representatives. The senate is composed of two senators from each state. Membership in the House of Representatives is determined by population. Laws are carried out by the Executive branch, which is composed of the president, vice president and the cabinet. The president has the unique position of commander in chief and gives the final word on military matters. He also has the power to veto bills and appoint cabinet members and judges. The Judicial branch consists of the courts, including the nine justices composing the highest court: the Supreme Court.
Lyrics:
LEGISLATIVE:
Yeah. It’s the legislative branch. I’m the one that pass the laws. So if you want to make something happen, you’ve got to go through me.
EXECUTIVE:
It’s the executive branch. Who’s calling the shots in the oval office?
JUDICIAL: Yeah, yeah, it’s the courts. Judicial.
It goes check, check to stay balanced,
Not just one, we bring three talents.
The powers? Got to keep ‘em separated,
That’s the motto, we made it.
3 branches of government, that’s all:
Legislative writes the laws,
Executive executes laws — so official,
The court system is Judicial.
LEGISLATIVE:
I’m thelegislativebranch, I write laws,
Without me, it’d be anarchy of course.
Say my name: I’m calledCongress,
Sitting on Capitol Hill, kid that’s honest.
Made up of theSenateand theHouse of Reps,
We write a bill and send it to the President’s desk.
We legislate, and we roll deep,
535 members in my clique, see?
Senate? Each state sends two,
100senators in all, that’s how we do.
The House of Representatives is bypopulation,
Cali reps the hardest, no debating.
If my bills get a Presidentialveto,
I can override that with enough people.
I wrote the budget and I’m passing the laws,
Now I’mma grab the mic and pass it off...
EXECUTIVE:
Oh, hey Congress — sometimes I need to mess with your plans,
I carry out laws,I’m theExecutivebranch,
I’m thepresident, roll with the VP and cabinet,
And I’ll veto your laws if I’m not having it.
So hail to thecommander in chief,
All the armed forces need to follow me.
My powers been blossoming sinceGeorge Washington
Stepped to the office and did awesome things.
I’ve got a bowling alley in my home,
Where I call in air strikes from invisible drones.
Who appoints theCabinetand judges too?
The boss in the Oval Office that’s who.
JUDICIAL: Check check, I’mma keep it short,
TheJudicialsystem, I’m the courts.
My highest court, that’sSupreme,
All 9 justices know what I mean:
Nominated by the pres, confirmed by the Senate,
No term limits, they serve a life sentence.
Plead your case, it’s not unusual,
For me torule a lawunconstitutional.
LEGISLATIVE:
So I write a law.
EXECUTIVE:
Well, I might veto it.
LEGISLATIVE:
And I can override that, you know it.
EXECUTIVE:
Man, I’m executive, the one that carries it out.
JUDICIAL:
It can get challenged in the courts, that’s what I’m all about.
I might declare it unconstitutional.
LEGISLATIVE:
I canimpeachjudges who act unusual,
EXECUTIVE:
I nominate justices in the first place.
LEGISLATIVE:
I can impeach you too if you step out of place.
3 branches of government, that’s all:
Legislative writes the laws,
Executive executes laws — so official,
The court system is Judicial. (x2)
It goes check, check to stay balanced,
Not just one, we bring three talents.
The powers? Got to keep ‘em separated,
That’s the motto, we made it.
Schoolhouse Rock – Three Ring Government
(from TeacherTube.com)
Lyrics:
Going to have a three-ring circus someday
People will say it's a fine one, son
Going to have a three-ring circus someday
People will come from miles around
Lions, tigers, acrobats, and jugglers and clowns galore
Tightrope walkers, pony riders, elephants, and so much more
Guess I got the idea right here at school
Felt like a fool when they called my name
Talking about the government and how it's arranged
Divided in three like a circus
Ring one, Executive
Two is Legislative, that's Congress
Ring three, Judiciary
See it's kind of like my circus, circus
Step right up and visit ring number one
The show's just begun, meet the President
I am here to see that the laws get done
The ringmaster of the government
On with the show!
Hurry, hurry, hurry to ring number two
See what they do in the Congress
Passing laws and juggling bills
Oh, it's quite a thrill in the Congress
Focus your attention on ring number three
The Judiciary's in the spotlight
The courts take the law and they tame the crimes
Balancing the wrongs with your rights
No one part can be
More powerful than any other is
Each controls the other you see
And that's what we call checks and balances
Well, everybody's act is part of the show
And no one's job is more important
The audience is kind of like the country you know
Keeping and eye on their performance
Ring one, Executive
Two is Legislative, that's Congress
Ring three, Judiciary
See it's kind of like my circus, circus
Going to have a three-ring circus someday
People will say it's a fine one, son
But until I get it, I'll do my thing
With government, it's got three rings