Alison Keller ()

December 8, 2008

Lesson topic/title:

Federal Government: Virtual Tour of Washington D.C.

Objective:

Students will be able to describe the three branches of government.

Students will be able to identify the places in Washington D.C. where each of the branches works.

GLCEs:

4 – C3.0.2 Give examples of powers granted to the federal government (e.g., coining of money, declaring

war) and those reserved for the states (e.g., driver’s license, marriage license).

4 – C3.0.3 Describe the organizational structure of the federal government in the United States (legislative, executive, and judicial branches).

4 – C3.0.4 Describe how the powers of the federal government are separated among the branches.

4 – C3.0.5 Give examples of how the system of checks and balances limits the power of the federal

government (e.g., presidential veto of legislation, courts declaring a law unconstitutional,

congressional approval of judicial appointments).

Materials:

Brochures (25)

Maps of Washington D.C.(5)

DC Metro Maps (5) (use above 3 items to make travel packets for each group)

Computer with Projector

Google Map Virtual Tour

Time: 30-40 minutes

Introduction and Getting to DC / 5 Min.
“So far, we have talked about the local government and the state government. Today we are going to focus on the national or federal government. Where, do you think, is the best place to go to learn about our national government? … Washington D.C. is right! Today we are going to go on a virtual fieldtrip to D.C. As your tour guide I have prepared a packet for each group. Your packet includes one map of DC, a map of the metro, and a tour brochure for each group member. The only other thing you will need is a pencil. What do most tourists use to document their travels? Today we are not going to use a camera, but you need to use your pencil to get down as much information as you can about the trip. Your brochure has room to draw pictures, if you want to draw a quick sketch while we are on the trip, that’s okay, but focus on taking notes and filling in the blanks. First, it is important to know what kinds of things the federal government is in charge of. The federal government takes care of things that go across states or are international. What can you think of that the federal government does?“
“Okay, first we have to get from Okemos, Michigan to Washington DC. How should we get there? We are going to fly from the Lansing Airport in to Reagan National Airport in D.C. Now that we have landed our first stop will be the White House – We are going to take the Metro. Look at your map, which metro stop is closest to the White House. We will get on at the airport and get off there.
Virtual Tour / 30 Min.
The White House: Executive Branch
  • Who is the head of the executive branch on the national level?
  • The president lives and works much of the time in the White House
  • Use Street View to show the White House
  • Click on Virtual Tour of White House
  • Show Oval Office for 2 min
  • What other people, besides the president are in the executive branch? The cabinet. Show newspaper article and Cabinet Room tour for 2 min.
  • Show Vice Presidents office – panoramic tour
  • Show Diplomatic room – panoramic tour
  • Mention Gerald Ford, only president from Michigan.
The Capitol: Legislative Branch
  • What two groups make up the legislative branch at the national level?
  • The Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
  • Show Capitol from Street View
  • Show Capitol tour and current senate chamber.
  • How many Senators does each state have? (2, Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow– how many total?)
President of Senate is VP. Senate Majority Leader – Harry Reid
  • How many representatives? (By population)
The Supreme Court: Judicial Branch
  • Show Supreme Court from Street View.
  • Show Virtual Tour of entry and courtroom.
  • Supreme Court makes sure laws are constitutional and solves cases that no one else can solve. There are 9 justices.
Other D.C. Sights (if time allows)
  • The Library of Congress
  • The National Mall
  • Smithsonian
  • Monuments
  • Show how to use DC Metro to get from site to site

Summative Activity / 10 Min.
Give students time to complete the brochure, and illustrate the sites they visited. Discuss the blanks that they filled in and any questions they have. Allow students to visit the virtual tour during computer lab time to explore even more.