branches of government
Teacher Introduction
Corey Murray (2012) presented an infographic with some compelling statistics about the advantages of including game based learning in classrooms. There are still many who point to the lack of evidence showing the true impact on learning that educational games have, but with all of the time kids spend engaged with games outside of school, it could be considered just another tool, a very effective one, to help kids learn content.
This unit is designed to teach 5th grade social studies government and civics standards through game based learning activities. Students will participate in four games, the first covering the roles and responsibilities of the different branches of government, followed by three games to dig deeper into each of the branches.
Each activity will take 45-60 minutes depending on class discussion before and after participation in the game. Learning goals and expected outcomes are outlined for each activity.
All activities are accessed through icivics.org. Teachers are able to create an account, add class rosters, and assign different games or modules to students.
This unit is designed to teach 5th grade social studies government and civics standards through game based learning activities. Students will participate in four games, the first covering the roles and responsibilities of the different branches of government, followed by three games to dig deeper into each of the branches.
Each activity will take 45-60 minutes depending on class discussion before and after participation in the game. Learning goals and expected outcomes are outlined for each activity.
All activities are accessed through icivics.org. Teachers are able to create an account, add class rosters, and assign different games or modules to students.
Standards covered
- 5.SS.4.1.1 Identify the people and groups who make, apply, and enforce laws
within federal and tribal governments. - Identify the basic principles of the United States Constitution and Bill
of Rights, such popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of
powers, majority rule with minority rights, and federalism. - 5.SS.4.2.2 Identify the three branches of government and the functions and powers
of each.
Lesson Sequence
Activity #1 - Branches of Government
The purpose of this game/activity is to introduce students to the three branches of government and the concept of separation of powers set forth by the United States Constitution.
Students will take on the role of President, Legislator, and Judge in an effort to pass 10 bills or create 10 "issue towers".
The purpose of this game/activity is to introduce students to the three branches of government and the concept of separation of powers set forth by the United States Constitution.
Students will take on the role of President, Legislator, and Judge in an effort to pass 10 bills or create 10 "issue towers".
Learning Goals
Materials
- Simulate the way separation of powers and checks and balances limit government.
- Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
- Illustrate the law making process at the local, state, and federal levels.
Materials
- Chromebooks
Assessment
Students earn points for their participation in the game. At the end of the timed portion of the game students will receive a score and the option to print out a certificate showing more detailed information on their progress.
Students earn points for their participation in the game. At the end of the timed portion of the game students will receive a score and the option to print out a certificate showing more detailed information on their progress.
Activity #2 - Executive Command
The purpose of this game/activity is to introduce students to the responsibilities of the President of the United States. Students will be presented with bills to review, diplomacy requests to consider, and military intelligence to act upon.
Learning Goals
Materials
The purpose of this game/activity is to introduce students to the responsibilities of the President of the United States. Students will be presented with bills to review, diplomacy requests to consider, and military intelligence to act upon.
Learning Goals
- Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the executive branch.
- Describe the various roles of the president: commander in chief, head diplomat, agenda setter, chief executive.
- Identify the functions of executive cabinet positions and regulatory departments
Materials
- Chromebooks
Assessment
Students earn points for their participation in the game. At the end of the timed portion of the game students will receive a score and the option to print out a certificate showing more detailed information on their progress.
Students earn points for their participation in the game. At the end of the timed portion of the game students will receive a score and the option to print out a certificate showing more detailed information on their progress.
Activity #3 - Law Craft
The purpose of this game/activity is to introduce students to the responsibilities of elected state legislators. Students will be a legislator from a state of their choice and will propose a bill and see it all the way through the law making process.
Learning Goals
Materials
The purpose of this game/activity is to introduce students to the responsibilities of elected state legislators. Students will be a legislator from a state of their choice and will propose a bill and see it all the way through the law making process.
Learning Goals
- Given a national issue, balance competing interests to create a law.
- Simulate the law-making process of the U.S. Congress.
- Make connections between the text of an amendment and the values it represents.
- Evaluate cause and effect relationships.
Materials
- Chromebooks
Assessment
In this game, if students are successful in seeing their bill all the way to completion, they will be able to print out a copy of their newly created bill.
In this game, if students are successful in seeing their bill all the way to completion, they will be able to print out a copy of their newly created bill.
Activity #4 - Supreme Decision
The purpose of this game/activity is to introduce students to the responsibilities of Supreme Court Justices. Students will take on the role of law clerk for the judge who will cast the deciding vote in a freedom of speech case.
Learning Goals
Materials
The purpose of this game/activity is to introduce students to the responsibilities of Supreme Court Justices. Students will take on the role of law clerk for the judge who will cast the deciding vote in a freedom of speech case.
Learning Goals
- Analyze the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and expression.
- Identify protected and unprotected speech.
- Simulate the deliberation process of Supreme Court justices
Materials
- Chromebooks
Assessment
Students earn points for their participation in the game. At the end of the timed portion of the game students will receive a score and the option to print out a certificate showing more detailed information on their progress.
Students earn points for their participation in the game. At the end of the timed portion of the game students will receive a score and the option to print out a certificate showing more detailed information on their progress.
Refrences
C. Murray (2012, October 26). Do students benefit from game-based learning? Retrieved from http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2012/10/do-students-benefit-game-based-learning-infographic
iCivics - https://www.icivics.org/
C. Murray (2012, October 26). Do students benefit from game-based learning? Retrieved from http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2012/10/do-students-benefit-game-based-learning-infographic
iCivics - https://www.icivics.org/