Branches of Power

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

5

Overview

In this interactive game from iCivics, students will learn about all three branches of government by controlling them in this game.  They will have the power to write any laws they want about the issues they choose. If they can keep their government working for thirty minutes to complete the game, they win!  This game can be played while teaching about the three branches of government or after as an assessment.  

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Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 5

SS10.5.9

Explain how inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation led to the creation and eventual ratification of the Constitution of the United States.

UP:SS10.5.9

Vocabulary

  • inadequacies
  • Article of Confederation
  • ratification
  • limitations
  • factions
  • Federalist
  • Anti-Federalist
  • republic
  • powers
  • principles

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation and the impact these had on the creation of the Constitution of the United States.
  • The duties and powers of the three branches of government.
  • The supporters and oppositions of the constitution.
  • The main principles of the bill of rights.
  • The impact of George Washington as president in a republic.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Analyze and describe the impact of government documents.
  • Describe and provide examples of major ideas, concepts, and limitations of the Constitution including the duties and powers of the three branches of government.
  • Compare and contrast the positions of various groups involved in historic events, such as the writing of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
  • Analyze primary source documents.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • The Articles of Confederation and influential groups and individuals played a role in the development of the United States Constitution.

CR Resource Type

Interactive/Game

Resource Provider

iCivics

License Type

Custom

Accessibility

Audio resources: includes a transcript or subtitles
Graphics: includes alt tags or long descriptions
Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
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