Introduction
Our Founding Fathers wanted to form a government that did not give any one person too much authority or control over the nation. Our nation's government is divided into three separate branches; executive, legislative, and judicial. Each branch has its own responsibilities to ensure that the rights of the citizens are protected. Although each branch has its own responsibilities, the three branches must work together. This is done through a system called checks and balances. A branch may use its powers to check the powers of the other two in order to maintain a balance of power.
As a group, you will research the three branches of government; what each branch is responsible for, how they check and balance each other, etc. Your group will then create a poster to present to the class to inform them about the three branches of government.
Task
Your task for this WebQuest is to enhance your knowledge of the three branches of government, through research and teamwork. You will be able to identify the three branches, where in the Constitution they were created, their duties, and their responsibilities. You will finally create a poster, aligned with the rubric, that your group feels best represents our nation's three branches of government.
Process
Your group must follow these steps in the order that they are listed to be able to complete the task correctly.
1. As a group, answer the following questions about the different articles of the Constitution, using the link that is provided. Each member needs to write their answers on a separate sheet of paper.
http://constitutioncenter.org/timeline/html/cw02.html
Questions:
1. What year was the Constitution written?
2. What year did the Constitution take effect?
3. What year is it today? Can you figure out how many years the Constitution has been in effect?
http://www.annenbergclassroom.org/page/a-guide-to-the-united-states-con…;
Article I
1. How many sections does Article I have?
2. Click on the link for Article I, Section 1. What two parts does Congress have?
3. Click on the link for Section 2 and then Section 3. What is the main topic of Section 2? What is the main topic of Section 3?
4. Click on the link for Section 8. What is listed in Section 8?
5. Still, in Section 8, scroll down to the part that says The Meaning. Who has all lawmaking powers not listed in Section?
Article II
1. How many sections does Article II have?
2.Click on the link for Article II, Section 1. Who has the executive power?
3.Click the link for Article II, Section 2. Find the part that says “The Meaning.”
4. What does the president do as chief executive?
5. Name two other things the president can do.
Article III
1. What does Article III do?
2. What major court did it create?
3. What did it give Congress the power to do?
2. After everyone has finished the questions, I will assign each group a different branch of government.
3. Once your group has your branch, you will make a poster explaining your assigned branch.
Evaluation
Three Branches of Government WebQuest Rubric
|
|
20 points |
10 points |
2 point |
0 points |
|
Organization |
Poster is well organized; branch is clearly marked. |
Poster is mostly well organized; branch is clearly marked. |
Poster is somewhat organized; branch is not clearly marked. |
Poster is poorly organized branch is not marked. |
|
Content Accuracy |
All facts presented are accurate |
Almost all facts presented are accurate. |
At least half the facts presented are accurate. |
Less than half the facts presented are accurate. |
|
Essential Questions |
All questions were answered completely and clearly stated. |
Almost all questions were answered completely and clearly stated. |
A few questions were answered completely and clearly stated. |
All questions were not answered completely and clearly. |
|
Presentation |
All members spoke about their branch, and clearly showed understanding. |
All members spoke about their branch, but only 1-2 showed clear understanding. |
All members spoke about their branch, but no one showed clear understanding. |
Only 1-2 members spoke about the branches, and no one showed under-standing. |
|
Teamwork |
All members did equal work and worked cooperatively. |
All members did equal work or worked cooperatively. |
Some members did equal work and/or worked cooperatively. |
1 member did all the work with little to no help from the other members. |
Conclusion
Today, you have successfully enhanced your knowledge of the three branches of the government. You have learned where each branch is established in the Constitution, what each branch is responsible for, their duties, and how each branch check and balances each other. Now that you are more familiar with the three branches of government, I want you to think about the following: If you had the opportunity to serve on one of the three branches of government, which one would you choose and why?