Jill BranchITC 525

Summer 2011

Table of ContentsO Important State F

actsO Branches of the S

tate GovernmentO State SymbolsO Credits &

StandardsAny time you’d like to return to this page, please click the “home” buttons!

Important FactsPennsylvania was founded by William Penn, and therefore named “Penn’s

Woods” to honor his father.

Pennsylvania is nicknamed “The Keystone State” because it was

located in the center of the original 13 colonies.

William Penn

Keystone

Click on my picture to watch a video and find out

more about the founding of

Pennsylvania!

Click on the

Keystone to find

out more!

More Important FactsThe state’s Capitol is located in the

city of Harrisburg.

Like the United States of America, Pennsylvania has 3 branches of government. Pennsylvania’s government is also defined by a constitution.

Click the picture of the constitution to find out more!

Let’s see what you know..If this is a picture of the Capitol building, what city is this?

A. Philadelphia

B. Pittsburgh

C. Harrisburg

D. Hershey

Try Again!You did not correctly answer the capitol city.

Go back to the Important State Facts page to review your information and try again!

Correct!

Harrisburg is the capitol city of Pennsylvania.

Branches of the Government

The Executive Branch

The Legislative Branch

The Judicial Branch

Pennsylvania’s Government is broken into 3 branches. They are:

The Executive BranchThis branch oversees commonwealth laws and

is lead by the Governor.

Pennsylvania’s current Governor is Tom Corbett.

He has a Lieutenant Governor named Jim Cawley who helps him.

The Legislative BranchThis branch makes commonwealth laws, a

responsibility that is carried out by the General Assembly. The General Assembly has two main

parts: The House of Representatives and the Senate.

House of Representatives

Click here to find out more facts!

Senate

Click here to find out more Senate facts!

The Judicial BranchThis branch preserves the rule of law and guarantees citizens’ rights. This branch is

responsible by solving any disputes of the law in the courts.

Seven justices make up the court, and the longest-serving member is named the chief justice. The justices hold 10 year terms.

Let’s see what you know..Which branch of the state government contains the General Assembly?

A. Legislative

B. Judicial

C. Executive

D. Democratic

Correct!The Legislative Branch contains the General Assembly. Which two parts make up the General Assembly?

A. The justices and chief justice

B. The House of Representatives and Senate

C. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Try Again!You did not correctly choose which branch of the government contains the General Assembly. You may go back to review the three branches if you’d like.

Correct!

The General Assembly is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Try Again!You did not correctly choose the two parts which make up the General Assembly.

You may go back to review if you’d like!

State SymbolsO Flower: Mountain

LaurelO Tree: HemlockO Bird: Ruffed Grouse

More State SymbolsO Dog: Great DaneO Mammal: White-

tailed DeerO Insect: Firefly

State FlagThe flag has a deep blue background and two harnessed draft horses surrounding a shield in the center. The shield pictures a ship, a plow, and three sheaves of wheat. Above the shield is a bald eagle, and below it are a stalk of corn, an olive branch, and a draped red ribbon. The ribbon reads “Virtue, Liberty, and Independence.”

The State SealThe State Seal is very similar to the center of the State Flag. The shield in the middle is identical, as well as the bald eagle, and the olive branch. On the bottom-left there is also a stalk of Indian corn.

Click on the seal to find out more!

Questions to Think About..

(They may be important in upcoming days.. Hint, hint)

Why were these things chosen for the flag and seal?

If you had to choose symbols to represent YOU, what would you choose?

CreditsO Important State Facts

O City of Harrisburg http://www.harrisburgpa.gov/ Retrieved on June 1, 2011.O Government in Pennsylvania http://

www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/government/3014 Retrieved on June 1, 2011.

O Keystone State http://www.50states.com/bio/nickname4.htm Retrieved on June 1, 2011.O William Penn “Interview”

http://www1.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?title=William_Penn_Jr_&video_id=19601 Retrieved on June 1, 2011.

O Branches of GovernmentO Our House: PA’s Visitor’s Guide to the House of Representatives http://

www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/VC/visitor_info/pdfs/ourHouse.pdf Retrieved on June 1, 2011.O Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, Tom Corbett http://

www.governor.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/governor_corbett/19926 Retrieved on June 1, 2011.

O Senate of Pennsylvania http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/VC/visitor_info/blue/senate.htm Retrieved on June 1, 2011.

O The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania http://www.courts.state.pa.us/T/SupremeCourt/default.htm Retrieved on June 1, 2011.

Credits ContinuedO State Symbols

O The Great Seal of Pennsylvania http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/seals/pa_seal.htm Retrieved on June 1, 2011.

O Pennsylvania http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108264.html Retrieved on June 1, 2011.O Pennsylvania: Facts, Maps, and State Symbols

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/pennsylvania/ Retrieved on June 1, 2011.

O Pictures/ImagesO Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Election Information (map of counties) http

://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ Retrieved on June 1, 2011.O All others found through Google.com

Standards AddressedO PDE:

O 5.1.4.CExplain the principles and ideals shaping local and state government.

O 5.1.4.DIdentify key ideas about the government found in specific documents (e.g. PA Constitution)

O 5.1.4.FIdentify state symbols.

O ISTE NETS:O 1. Creativity &

InnovationStudents demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop processes/products using technology.

O 4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Decision Making

Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.