W E B Q U E S T:

DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE 3

B R A N C H E S O F G OV E R N M E N T.
P R E PA R E YO U R S E L F T O B E C O M E
A R E S P O N S I B L E VO T I N G
CITIZEN
Presented by: Justin Lambert, Jamia Scisco, Katelin Short, and Julie Vondra
4rd Grade Social Studies

INTRODUCTION
Our government has a major impact on the way of Americans live. The
government is responsible for creating laws and regulations for American citizens.
Our founding fathers executed separation of powers between three branches of
government in the Constitution. The three branches are Legislative, Judicial, and
Executive , there is confusion among American citizens on what each branch is
responsible for.
The intent of this WebQuest is to give students an understanding of the three
branches of government and their responsibilities. This WebQuest will encourage
students to be able to distinguish between the three branches of government, so
one day they will become responsible voting citizens.

TASK

Your task is to distinguish between the

three branches of government. You will

research the members of each branch, their
responsibilities, and how each member
becomes elected. You will watch a video and
explore our government through Bens Guide
website. You will interview three adults
regarding their previous knowledge of our
government. After completing your research,
you will present a 2-3 minute presentation to
our class. You will need to create a poster
board to show us what you have learned.

PROCEDURE 1
Please click on the following link to

Watch the Schoolhouse Rock video. Click on

print out your graphic organizer. You

this link below:

will write down your notes on here.

http://www.worksheetworks.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5M50xBz1
cU

Make sure to: Define each branch of

pdf/954/7d1e6aa016ca/WorksheetWor

government.

ks_3_BRANCHES_OF_GOVERNM

Explain what powers they have.

ENT_2.pdf

Who is in each branch? What are their roles?

Now, you are ready to begin your

Be sure to add any extra information that

quest. Happy exploring !

you find helpful for your presentation.

PROCEDURE 2

When you get to the website:

Click on grades 3-5 ( orange kite at the top).

the School House of Rock

Click on branches of government (on the

video, please go to Bens Guide

When you are done watching

chalkboard).
Click on the separation of powers and checks and

balances link in the second paragraph . Scroll down and

website. Click on link below:

write down each definition. You may use these terms in

your final project. Next, hit the back button on your

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/35/government/branches.html

computer (top left) to return to the main page.

Lastly, click on each link for the three branches of

government at the bottom of the page. When you are done

reading, hit the back button. Continue doing this until you
read about all three branches. Make sure to take notes on
your worksheet, because it is important for you know the
differences between the three for the next procedure.

PRESENTATION 3
Outside of class work: Ask three different
adults if they can define and explain what the
three branches are. Try to choose adults who do
not have government jobs and are not involved

in politics. This will allow a more accurate reading

of the typical adults understanding of the
government. Write down their answers and give a
reflection on it.
Try to incorporate all your data from your

online research (people, definitions, etc.).

PRESENTATION 4

Create a short (2-3 minutes) presentation of

what you learned. Also, include your interview

results.. You could provide what they did or did not
know according to your research.

Presentation: You can create a poster board

with information about the three branches with

pictures and colors. Be creative. This is your time to
inform the class about the distinguishing factors that
make our government a whole.

Lastly, have fun with this project. This is a great

opportunity for you to elaborate and apply the

differences of our governments three branches.

Category

Grammar/Organizat
ion

Presentation aid and

notes had little/no
spelling or grammar
mistakes. Well
organized.

Presentation aid had

some spelling errors
and grammar
mistakes. Well
organized.

Presentation aid had

numerous spelling
and grammar
mistakes. Well
organized.

Presentation aid had

numerous spelling
and grammar
mistakes. Aid was
unorganized.

Procedure:
Schoolhouse Rock
Notes

Notes clearly
organized and
labeled

Notes completed
and labeled, but
messy and out of
order.

Notes not entirely

completed and
unorganized.

Very little notes

taken. Unorganized
and incomplete.

Procedure
Interview Results
and Reflection

Interviewed 3 adults
and provided a wellwritten reflection
about each
interview.

Interviewed 3 adults,
but did not give a
thorough reflection.

Interviewed only 1-2

adults, and provided
reflection.

Did not interview an

adult or write a
reflection.

Presentation
speaking

Presentation was
well organized with
presentation aid.
Presentation was 2-3
minutes long.

Presentation was
well organized with
presentation aid.
Presentation was
only 1-2 minutes
long.

Presentation was
unorganized and
under the time
requirement.
Presentation aid was
messy and not used.

Presentation was
unorganized and
under the time
requirement. No
presentation aid was
used.

Presentation Aid

Presentation aid was

well constructed and
organized. Clearly
states the different
branches and
powers. Used colors
and pictures.

Presentation aid was

well constructed and
fairly organized.
Clearly states the
different branches
and powers. Did not
use colors or
pictures.

Presentation aid was

not well constructed
and unorganized.
Stated different
branches and
powers. Did not use
colors or pictures.

Presentation aid was

not well constructed
and unorganized.
Did not state their
different branches
or their powers. Did
not use colors or
pictures.

Total
Points

CREDITS

Clip Art Resources

Retrieved from http://bensguide.gpo.gov/images

Branches of Government Clipart. (n.d.). Teachers Pay Teachers.

Retrieved from http://mcch1.teacherspayteachers.com/thu-ofGovernment-Clip-Art

Website Resources

Branches of Government. (2009). Gud: Branch of Government (3-5).

Three-Ring Government. (n.d.). School House Rock Wiki. Retrieved

Bens Guide to U.S. Government for

Kids, Grades 3-5. (2009). Retrieved from
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/

from http://schoolhouserock.wikia.com/wiki/Three-Ring_Government

Bens Guide to U.S. Government for Kids, Grades 3-5. (2009).

Retrieved from http://www.rightsofthepeople.com/education-5

Clipart-interviewer. (2014). Retrieved from

https://openclipart.org/detail/77065/interview-by-shokunin

3 Qualities Every Online Presentation Needs. (2014). Business 2

Community. Retrieved from

http://www.business2community.com/control-marketing/3-qualities-

every-online-presentation-needs

Branches of Government. (2014).

Worksheet Works. Retrieved from
http://www.worksheetworks.com/pdf/95
4/7d1e6aa016ca/WorksheetWorks_3_BR
ANCHES_OF_GOVERNMENT_2.pdf