Educator Resources for Branches of Government

How does our government run? In this BrainPOP movie, Tim and Moby will introduce you to the three different branches of the United States government. You’ll first find out about the legislative branch, including who its representatives are and the differences between the Senate and the House of Representative. You’ll also learn about what makes up the executive branch and about why this branch can be so powerful. And you’ll see the workings of the judicial branch, including who heads it and what its chief responsibility is. Finally, you’ll discover how the system of checks and balances helps limit the power that any one branch can exercise. Check, please!

Lesson Plans

Vocabulary Development Lesson Plan: Using a Word Map

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, K-3

Parliamentary System Lesson Plan: Determining a Government for a New Country

Grade Levels: 6-8, 9-12

Checks and Balances Lesson Plan: Branches of Power Game

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Government Functions Lesson Plan: Checks and Balances Game

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8

BrainPOP & the Common Core »

Branches of Government Common Core State Standards Alignments

Grade: 03

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.2

Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

Grade: 03

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.3

Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.

Grade: 03

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.7

Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).

Grade: 04

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.3

Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.

Grade: 04

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.7

Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.

Grade: 04

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.2

Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

Grade: 05

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.3

Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.

Grade: 05

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.5

Compare and contrast the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or more texts.

Grade: 05

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.6

Analyze multiple accounts of the same event or topic, noting important similarities and differences in the point of view they represent.

Grade: 05

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.2

Summarize a written text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

Grade: 06

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.3

Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).

Grade: 06

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.9

Compare and contrast one author’s presentation of events with that of another (e.g., a memoir written by and a biography on the same person).

Grade: 06

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.2

Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.

Grade: 07

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.2

Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study.

Grade: 08

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.3

Analyze how a text makes connections among and distinctions between individuals, ideas, or events (e.g., through comparisons, analogies, or categories).

Grade: 08

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.7

Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea.

Grade: 06, 07, 08

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.2

Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

Grade: 06, 07, 08

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.4

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies.

Grade: 06, 07, 08

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.7

Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.

Educator Resources for Branches of Government

Lesson Plans

Vocabulary Development Lesson Plan: Using a Word Map

Parliamentary System Lesson Plan: Determining a Government for a New Country

Checks and Balances Lesson Plan: Branches of Power Game

Government Functions Lesson Plan: Checks and Balances Game

Teaching Tips

Related videos

Teaching with Games, GLPC Case Study: Lisa

BrainPOP's GameUp Presents iCivics

Related printables

Ideas/Details

Related games

Checks and Balances Civics Game

Branches of Government Civics Game

LawCraft Social Studies Game

Executive Command Social Studies Game

Branches of Power Social Studies Game

Academic Standards

Branches of Government Common Core State Standards Alignments