The Three Branches of Government By Martina Anderson Valdosta State University ITED 8300

The Three Branches of Government

By Martina Anderson

Valdosta State University

ITED 8300

Instructions

• As you move through the tutorial, use the button to go back.

• Use the button to go on to the next slide.

• Use the button to return to the home page (Three Branches selection page).

• When taking a quiz or test, click on the letter of your answer choice.

• Click on any slide title to return to the beginning of that section.

Click icon above for audio instructions

Instructions

• Click on any video to start or stop the video.

• Click on to return to the Instructions slide.

• Click on Section Quiz to go straight to the quiz for that section.

• Click on Final Test to go straight to the final test.

• Please do not use the keyboard arrow keys to navigate through this tutorial. Use the on screen buttons and title hyperlinks.


Game Instructions

• Go to the online games by accessing the home page

• Click on the game you want to pay. Once there, click on the icon to begin.

• The game will open in another window. Play the game.

• When you are ready to return to the tutorial, click on the tutorial that is in the system tray at the bottom of the screen


http://www.quia.com/rr/103659.html

http://www.quia.com/rr/103659.html

Play the Branches of Government Game

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/usa_game/government/branches_government.htm

Introduction

Click above to start/stop video


The Three BranchesClick on one to begin

The Legislative Branch

The Executive Branch

The Judicial Branch

Checks and Balances

Play Rags to Riches

Play Branches of Government drop and drag game

References


Click above to start/stop videoSection Quiz

Final Test


This branch can:• Overturn presidential vetoes,• Impeach the president• Declare war• Approve the president’s budget

(called “the Power of the Purse”)

Section Quiz

Final Test


• This branch of government is made up of the Congress.

• They make laws for the whole country.

• They meet in the Capital building in our nation’s capital, Washington, D. C.

Section Quiz

Final Test


• There are two lawmaking groups in Congress.

• They are the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Congress

House of Representatives SenateSenateHouse of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

Congress

House of Representatives

Congress


Congress

House of Representatives Senate

Congress

House of Representatives Senate

Congress


Section Quiz

Final Test


• The House of Representatives has 435 members.

• Membership is determined by state population.

• For example, California has the largest population in the country. Therefore, they send 52 people to the House.

• Alaska has a very small population. They only send one person to the House.

Section Quiz

Final Test


• The Senate has 100 members.• Each state sends two people to

represent them in the Senate.

Section Quiz

Final Test

The Legislative Branch Quiz

1. What is the function of the Legislative Branch? A. Make laws B. Carry out laws C. Interpret laws

2. Which two bodies make up Congress? A. Supreme Court and the President B. Checks and Balances and the Supreme Court C. House of Representatives and the Senate

Final TestNext

Sorry!!

• That’s the job of the Executive Branch of government!

• Try again!• Click anywhere to go back to the

quiz.

Sorry!!

• That’s the job of the Judicial Branch of government!


quiz.

Congratulations!!

• The function of the Legislative Branch of government is to make laws!!

• Excellent!• Click anywhere to go back to the

quiz.

Sorry!!

• The Supreme Court is in the Judicial branch and the president is in the Executive Branch.


quiz.

Sorry!!

• Checks and balances are how each branch does not let the other become too powerful. The Supreme Court belongs in the Judicial branch of government.

• Try again!• Click anywhere on the slide to go

back to the quiz.

Congratulations!!

• That is correct!! Both the House of Representatives and the Senate make up Congress!!

• Click anywhere on the slide to go back to the quiz.


3. Which body of Congress chooses membership based on the population of the sate?

A. House of Representatives B. Senate C. Cabinet

4. Which body of Congress has two members per state? A. House of Representatives B. Senate C. Cabinet

Final TestNextNextPrevious

Sorry!!

• The Senate has two members per state regardless of population.

• Try Again• Click anywhere on the slide to return

to quiz.

Sorry!!

• The Cabinet is a group of advisors for the president.

• They are in the Executive Branch of government.

• Try Again• Click anywhere on the slide to go

back to the quiz.

Congratulations!!

• Membership in the House of Representatives is determined by a state’s population.

• The more people live in a state, the more representatives they have!

• Good Work!• Click anywhere on the slide to go

back to the quiz.

Sorry!!

• Membership in the House of Representatives is determined by the population of a state.

• Try again.• Click anywhere to go back to the

quiz.

Sorry!!

• The Cabinet is a group of advisors for the president.

• They are in the Executive Branch of government.

• Try again.• Click anywhere to return to the quiz.

Congratulations!!

• The Senate has two members per state regardless of population.

• Fantastic!!• Click anywhere on the slide to return

to quiz.


5. The population of Texas is greater than the population of Georgia. Which state would have the most members in the House of Representatives?

A. Texas B. Georgia C. Neither, they would have the same amount.

6. Alaska has the smallest population in the country. How many representatives do they have in the Senate?

A. One B. Two C. Three

Final TestNextPrevious

Sorry!!

• Since Georgia’s population is smaller, it would not have as many members in the House as Texas.

• Try Again.• Click anywhere to go back to the

quiz.

Sorry!!

• Membership in the House is determined by the population of a state.


Congratulations!!

• That’s right!! Texas would have the most representatives in the House.

• This is because membership in the House is based on the population in a state.

• Click anywhere to return to the quiz!

Sorry!!

• Remember, representation in the Senate does not rely on a state’s population.


Congratulations!!

• Yes!! Membership in the Senate is not based on the population of a state.

• Each state has two representatives in the Senate.

• Superfantastic!!• Click anywhere to return to the quiz.


Click above to start/stop videoFinal TestSection QuizSection Quiz

Final TestSection Quiz



This branch can:• Approve Congressional bills• Direct the military• Make foreign policy• Write the Federal budget



• This branch of government carries out the laws made by Congress.

• It is made up of the President, the Vice President, and the Cabinet.



• The President is the head of the Executive Branch.

• He lives and works in the White House.

• His job is to run the government and carry out laws made by Congress.



• The Vice-President helps the President.

• If the President dies, resigns, or is unable to work, the vice-President takes his place.

• He is also the President of the Senate. • If the Senate has a tie vote, he gets to

cast the deciding ballot.




• The Cabinet gives advice to the president on how to run the government.

• The heads of the Cabinet are appointed by the President.

• They are then sworn into office by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.


The Executive Branch Quiz

1. The job of the Executive Branch is toA. make laws B. carry out laws C. interpret laws

2. Which is not a member of the Executive Branch?A. President B. Cabinet C. Congress

3. The Senate held a vote. It came out a tie. 50 Senators voted for the law and 50 voted against the law. What happens next?

A. They rewrite the law and vote again.B. The law goes to the Supreme Court where it is ruled on.C. The Vice-President votes to break the tie.

Next

Sorry!!

• Remember, it is the job of the Legislative Branch to make the laws.

• Please try again.• Click anywhere to return to the quiz.

Sorry!!

• It is the job of the Supreme Court to interpret laws.


CORRECT!!

• You are RIGHT!!• It is the job of the Executive Branch

to carry out laws!• Way to go!• Click anywhere to return to the quiz.

Sorry!!

• The president is the head of the Executive Branch.

• The question wants to know which IS NOT in the Executive Branch.


Sorry!!

• The Cabinet members advise the president.

• The question wants to know which IS NOT in the Executive Branch.


CORRECT!!

• Congress is not part of the Executive Branch.

• Congress is in the Legislative Branch.• Good Job!!• Click anywhere to return to the quiz.

Sorry!!

• Remember, the tie has to be broken.• Please try again.• Click anywhere to return to the quiz.

Sorry!!

• It’s not a law yet if it has not been approved.


CORRECT!!

• Excellent! It is the Vice-President who breaks the tie!

• Way to go!!• Click anywhere to return to the quiz.

The Executive Branch Quiz

4. Members of the ___ advise the President on how to run the government.A. Cabinet B. Congress C. Supreme Court

5. Cabinet heads are appointed by the ___.A. Vice-President B. Supreme Court C. President

6. The President lives and works in the ____.A. Congress Building B. White House C. Supreme Court

building

NextPreviousFinal Test

Sorry!!

• Remember, Congress is in the Legislative Branch and they make laws.


Sorry!!

• The Supreme Court interpret the laws.


CORRECT!!

• Members of the Cabinet do advise the president on how to run the government.

• Fantastic!• Click anywhere to return to the quiz.

Sorry!!

• The Vice-President is the president of the Senate.


Sorry!!

• The Supreme Court is in the Judicial Branch.


CORRECT!!

• Cabinet heads are appointed by the president.

• Fantastic work!!• Click anywhere to return to the quiz.

Sorry!!

• Don’t forget, the Congress building is where Congress works.


Sorry!!

• Remember, the Supreme Court building is where the Supreme Court works.


CORRECT!!

• That’s right!! The President does live and work in the White House.

• Good work!• Click anywhere to return to the quiz.

The Judicial Branch

Click above to start/stop videoFinal TestSection

Quiz

The Judicial Branch

• The Supreme Court makes up the Judicial Branch of our government.

• This court has nine judges called Justices.

• They work in the Supreme Court building in Washington, D. C.

Section Quiz Final Test

The Judicial Branch

• The Justices are appointed by the president.

• The Senate must then approve the appointment.

• They have the job for life.


The Judicial Branch

• Their job is to make sure that the laws made by Congress agree with our Constitution.

• They also settle disputes between two or more states.


The Judicial Branch Quiz

1.The judges in the Supreme Court are called___.A. Justices B. Judges C. captains

2. The job of the Supreme Court is to __.A. make sure the laws agree with the ConstitutionB. carry out laws passed by CongressC. make laws for our nation

3. Who appoints new Justices to the bench?A. the Supreme Court B. The president C. Senate

NextPreviousFinal Test

Sorry!!

• Close, but the judges in the Supreme court are not called judges.

• Pleas try again.• Click anywhere to return to the quiz.

Sorry!!

• The judges in the Supreme Court are not called captains.


Correct!!

• Good job!! The judges in the Supreme Court are called Justices.

• Way to go!Click anywhere to return to the quiz.

Sorry!!

• Don’t forget, it is the job of the Executive Branch to carry out laws passed by Congress.


Sorry!!

• Remember, it is the job of Congress to make laws.


Correct!!

• Excellent answer!!• It is the job of the Supreme Court to

make sure laws passed agree with the Constitution.

• Click anywhere to return to the quiz.

Sorry!!

• Justices cannot appoint themselves to the Court!!


Sorry!!

• Remember, it is the Senate’s job to approve the appointment of new Supreme Court justices.


Correct!!

• The president appoints new Justices to the Supreme Court.

• Great answer!• Click anywhere to return to the quiz.

The Judicial Branch Quiz4. New Justices are approved by the ___.

A. Supreme Court B. President C. Senate

5. If one of the Supreme Court Justices is 65, the retirement age, does he have to retire? Why or why not?A. Yes, because 65 is the retirement age and he has to.B. No, because Supreme Court Justices are appointed for life.C. Yes, because they it is the law.

6. How many Supreme court Justices are in the Court?A. five B. seven C. nine

Previous NextFinal Test

Sorry!!

• The Justices are part of the Supreme Court and cannot approve themselves!


Sorry!!

• Remember, the president appoints new Justices. They are approved by someone else.


Correct!!

• That’s right! The Senate approves all appointments made by the president.


Sorry!!

• Even though 65 is the retirement age, you can continue to work.


Sorry!!

• There is no law that says a person must retire when they turn 65.


Correct!!

• That’s right! Justices are appointed for life.


Sorry!!

• Remember, there are a few more than five!


Sorry!!

• There are a few more than that!• Please try again.• Click anywhere to return to the quiz.

Correct!!

• That’s right!! There are nine Supreme Court Justices!

• Way to go!• Click anywhere to return to the quiz.

Checks and Balances


Checks and Balances

Click above to start/stop videoSection Quiz Final Test

Checks and Balances

• All three branches of government watch over one another.

• These checks keep the government in balance.

• This ensures that no branch becomes more powerful than any other branch.


Checks and Balances

• For example, the president checks the power of Congress by either signing a bill into law or vetoing, or rejecting, a bill.

• Congress can check the power of the president by overriding the veto with a 2/3 vote.


Checks and Balances

• The president can check the power of the Supreme Court by appointing its members.

• This power is checked by Congress because the Senate must approve these appointments.


Checks and Balances

• If it is believed that a president has done something illegal, the president can be impeached by Congress.

• This means that Congress has accused the president of serious misconduct.

• The president then stands trial in the Senate.


Checks and Balances Quiz1. Why is there a system of checks and balances in place?

A. So one branch of government does not become more powerful than the other branches.B. So it is easier for the Executive Branch to carry out the laws.C. So that the Supreme Court can hear more cases during the year.

2. The president can check the power of ___ by either signing or vetoing a bill.A. Congress B. Supreme Court C. Cabinet

Final Test

Sorry!!

• The system of checks and balances does not make it easier for the Executive Branch to carry out laws.

• Please try again.• Click anywhere to return to quiz.

Sorry!!

• The system of checks and balances does not allow the Supreme Court to hear more cases during the year.


Correct!!

• You did it!! • The system of checks and balances

was created so that one branch of government does not become more powerful than the other branches.


Sorry!!

• The Supreme Court does not make laws.


Sorry!!

• The Cabinet are the advisors to the president.


Correct!!

• Awesome!!• You are right! The president can

check the power of Congress by either signing or vetoing a bill.


Checks and Balances Quiz

3. Congress can check the power of the president by overriding the veto with a ___ vote.A. ½ B. 1/5 C. 2/3

4. The ___ appoints new Supreme Court Justices. This checks their power.A. president B. Chief Justice C. Congress

5. If Congress believes that the president did something illegal, they can ___ the president.A. impeach B. fire C. tell the police on

Final Test

Sorry!!

• It takes more than half to override a veto!


Sorry!!

• It takes more than 1/5 to override a veto!


Correct!!

• Fantastic! It does take 2/3 of Congress to override a presidential veto.

• Click anywhere to return to quiz.

Sorry!!

• The Chief Justice is the head of the Supreme court.


Sorry!!

• Congress makes laws.• Please try again.• Click anywhere to return to the quiz.

Correct!!

• That’s right! The president does appoint new Supreme Court Justices. This checks their power.


Sorry!!

• The president must first be found guilty.


Sorry!!

• The police are not part of the three branches of government.


Correct!!

• Excellent!!• Congress can impeach the president

if they think he has done something illegal.


Final Test

1. Which branch of government makes laws? A. Legislative B. Executive C. Judicial

2. What are the two parts of Congress? A. House and Forest B. House and Senate C. House and Court

3. The Legislative Branch can ___ ___ on another country.A. make promises B. give favors C. declare war

Final Test Question 1

Sorry!!

Remember that the Executive Branch carries out the laws.

Please click anywhere on the screen and try again.


Sorry!!

Remember that the Judicial Branch interprets the laws.



Fantastic!!

The Legislative Branch does make laws.Great work!!Please click anywhere on the screen to go to

the next questions.


Sorry!!

Close, but the answer is not House and forest.



Sorry!!

Close, but the answer is not House and court.



Super!!

That’s right!! Congress is made up of the House and

Senate.Please click anywhere on the screen and

continue to show your greatness!!


Sorry!!

The Legislative Branch makes laws not promises!



Sorry!!

The Legislative Branch makes laws not gives favors!



Wonderful!!

The Legislative Branch does have the power to declare war.

Please click anywhere on the screen and move to the next question!

Final Test4. As a check on the power of Congress, the Judicial

Branch can A. make new laws. B. declare a law unconstitutional.C. appoint new officials.

5. As a check on the power of the president, Congress can ___ a veto with a ___ vote.A. approve, 2/3 B. reject, ½ C. override, 2/3


Sorry!!

The Judicial Branch cannot make laws. That’s a Legislative Branch power.



Sorry!!

The Judicial Branch cannot appoint new officials. That’s an Executive Branch

power.Please click anywhere on the screen and try

again.


Superfantastic!!

The Judicial Branch can declare a law unconstitutional.

Please click anywhere on the screen and go to the next question.


Sorry!!

Congress cannot approve a veto by any vote.



Sorry!!

Congress cannot reject a veto with only a ½ vote.



Excellent!!

Congress can override a veto with a 3/4 vote.

Please click anywhere on the screen and continue your awesomeness!!!

Final Test

6. Who is the head of the Executive Branch?A. Chief Justice B. President C. Vice-President

7. Which branch of government has the “power of the purse”, meaning they can approve the federal budget?A. Legislative B. Executive C. Judicial


Sorry!!

The Chief Justice is the head of the Judicial Branch.



Sorry!!

The Vice-President is the head of the Senate.Please click anywhere on the screen and try

again.


Great!!

The President is the head of the Executive Branch.

Please click anywhere on the screen to continue.


Sorry!!

The Executive Branch creates the federal budget.

Please click anywhere on the screen to try again.


Sorry!!

The Judicial Branch interprets law.Please click anywhere on the screen to try

again.


Awesome!!

The Legislative Branch does have the “power of the purse” because they have the power to approve or disapprove the

federal budget.Please click anywhere on the screen to

continue.

Final Test8. If our country went to war right now, the ___ would

direct the military.A. president B. vice-president C. chief justice

9. Only Congress can __, or accuse of wrongdoing, the president.A. arrest B. detain C. impeach

10. Which document created our government?A. Article of Confederation B. Declaration of Independence C. Constitution


Sorry!!

If our country went to war right now, the vice-president could not direct the

military.Please click anywhere on the screen to try

again.


Sorry!!

If our country went to war right now, the Chief Justice could not direct the military.



Yay!!

If our country went to war right now, the President would direct the military.

Please click anywhere on the screen to keep on going!!


Sorry!!

Congress cannot arrest the president.Please click anywhere on the screen to try

again.


Sorry!!

Congress cannot detain the president.Please click anywhere on the screen to try

again.


Fantastic!!

Congress can impeach the president if they think he has done something wrong.

Please click anywhere on the screen to move on to the next question.


Sorry!!

The Articles of Confederation were replaced by this document.



Sorry!!

The Declaration of Independence was created by Thomas Jefferson before the

Revolutionary War .Please click anywhere on the screen to try

again.


Fantastic!!

The Constitution creates the government of the United States of America.

Please click anywhere on the screen to return to the main menu.

ReferencesBranches of government. (n. d.). Retrieved October 1, 2010,

from http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/usa_game/ government/branches_government.htmChecks and balances. (2004). Retrieved October 1, 2010,

from Discovery Education: discoveryeducation.comExecutive branch people. (2004). Retrieved October 1,

2010, from Discovery Education: discoveryeducation.comJudicial branch. (2003). Retrieved October 1, 2010, from

Discovery Education: discoveryeducation.comThe legislative branch. (2003). Retrieved October 1, 2010,

from Discovery Education: discoveryeducation.comMrs. B-T. (2009). Rags to riches. Retrieved October 1, 2010

from Quia: http://www.quia.com/rr/103659.html

Documents

The Three Branches of Government By Martina Anderson Valdosta State University ITED 8300