Get Students Hooked on Learning the Branches of Government
Community Review for Branches of Power
My Take
Love it! This game is great for students in 3rd and 4th grade to really see the insights into making laws, signing them into law and making sure they uphold to the constitution. It will keep the kids engaged and drive numerous great questions to discuss as a whole group. Be aware though that there is a lot of reading to be done for the kids to complete this game. I wish you could save your work on the program too, but unfortunately you have to complete it in one sitting of about 30 minutes.
How I Use It
The first step in our lesson is to watch a Brainpop video of the branches of Govt. Upon completion of the video we take the Brainpop quiz as a whole class and discuss the branches. Next you can provide each student with 9 Lego blocks and have students build the branches of government from the local level up to the national level. Students may then write the different branches and roles on each Lego piece and build their 3 branches and 3 levels. Finally once students finish you bring your class back together as a whole group and model the Branches of Power to the class. I play one game as a whole class and try to get at least three bills passed. Once I feel the students are comfortable with the game I book a lab time for all of my students to play individually or in groups of two. Their goal is to get three or more bills signed into law within 30 minutes. Upon completion of the game I assign homework for the student and family to play at home and print and return three bills completed. This builds a great home school connection for government and provides excellent communication for their voting values and views.