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Katelin Short
WebQuest
Group 3
10/30/2014
Title

Distinguish Between the 3 Branches of Government. Preparing

students to become responsible voting citizens.
Group 3 Members: Justin Lambert, Jamia Scisco, Katelin Short, and
Julie Vondra
Social Studies Web Quest for 4th Graders

Introduction

Our founding fathers executed separation of powers between three

branches of government in the Constitution. The three branches are
Legislative, Judicial, and Executive.
The intent of this Web Quest is to give students an understanding of the
three branches of government and their responsibilities.

Learners

This lesson is focused towards 4th grade social studies. This assignment
involves the representation of the three branches of government and
their roles. Students will learn the concepts of separation of powers and
checks and balances.
In this assignment, students will research members of each branch,
each branchs responsibilities, and how each member becomes elected.
Students will watch a video and explore The United States Government
through Bens Guide website. Students will interview three adults
regarding their previous knowledge of our nations government. After
completing the online research, students will present a 2-3 minute
presentation to their class.
Students will have one week to complete this assignment.

Task

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Procedure 1

In class, students will receive their branches of government diagram to

takes notes on.
This worksheet is for students to fill in their notes from the video and
Internet research. This assignment will take 1-2 days to complete inside
the classroom.
Happy exploring!
Watch the Schoolhouse Rock video. Click on this link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5M50xBz1cU
Define each branch of government.
Explain what powers they have.
Who is in each branch? What are their roles?
Be sure to add any extra information that you find helpful for
your presentation.
Make sure to use the worksheet to fill in data.

Procedure 2

Procedure 3

When the video assignment is complete, please go to Bens Guide

website. Click on link below:
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/government/branches.html
When you get to the website:
Click on grades 3-5 (orange kite at the top).
Click on branches of government (on the chalkboard).
Click on the separation of powers and checks and balances link
in the second paragraph. Scroll down and write down each
definition.
Next, hit the back button arrow on your computer (top left) to
return to the main page.
Lastly, click on each link of the three branches of government
at the bottom of the page.
Continue to hit the back button arrow until all branches are
read.
Outside of class work (2-3 days)
Ask three different adults to define and explain the three
branches of government.
Try to choose adults who do not have government jobs and are
not involved in politics. This will allow a more accurate reading
of typical adults understanding of the government.
Write down their answers and give a reflection on it.
Try to incorporate all the data collected from the video
assignment and Internet research (people, definitions, etc.).

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Procedure 4

Students will create a short (2-3 minutes) presentation of what they

have learned. This can be done inside or outside of the classroom (2-3
days).
Students need to include their Internet research and interview results.
Students may provide what the adults did or did not know according to
their research.
Presentation:
Students will create a poster board with information about the three
branches of government using pictures and colors.
Be creative!
This is the time for each student to inform his or her class about the
distinguishing factors that make our nations government a whole.
This is a great opportunity for students to elaborate and apply the
differences of what they have learned into real life experiences.

Conclusion

After completing this assignment, each student should have a basic

understanding on how our nations government operates.
Also, this lesson will provide students to elaborate and extend their
internet research by interviewing three adults. This lesson will help
students acquire public speaking skills, creativity production through
projects, and critical thinking through their Internet research.

Credits
Group three would like to recognize the wonderful creators of the
following pictures and websites:
Clip Art Resources:
Clipart-interviewer. (2014). Retrieved from
https://openclipart.org/detail/77065/interview-by-shokunin
Bens Guide to U.S. Government for Kids, Grades 3-5. (2009). Retrieved from
http://www.rightsofthepeople.com/education-5
Branches of Government. (2009). Gud: Branch of Government (3-5). Retrieved from
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/images
Branches of Government Clipart. (n.d.). Teachers Pay Teachers. Retrieved from
http://mcch1.teacherspayteachers.com/thu-of-Government-Clip-Art
Three Qualities Every Online Presentation Needs. (2014). Business 2 Community.
Retrieved from http://www.business2community.com/control-marketing/3-qualitiesevery-online-presentation-needs
Three-Ring Government. (n.d.). School House Rock Wiki. Retrieved from
http://schoolhouserock.wikia.com/wiki/Three-Ring_Government

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Website Resources:
Bens Guide to U.S. Government for Kids, Grades 3-5. (2009). Retrieved from
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/
Branches of Government. (2014). Worksheet Works. Retrieved from
http://www.worksheetworks.com/pdf/954/7d1e6aa016ca/WorksheetWorks_3_BRAN
CHES_OF_GOVERNMENT_2.pd
Ohio Department of Education. (n.d.). Social Studies. Retrieved
http://education.ohio.gov/Teachers

Standards
The Ohio Department of Education requests fourth grade teachers to
incorporate history about The Ohio Constitution and American
Constitution into their classrooms.
Also, ODE requires teachers to assess their students on the branches of
government, laws, separation of powers, and democracy.
This Web Quest will cover the three branches of government and the
separation of powers.
In addition to ODEs standards, students will be introduced to
researching as a 21st century learner, interviewing, public speaking, and
creating art projects.

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Evaluation

Category

Grammar/Organization

Presentation aid
and notes had
little/no spelling
or grammar
mistakes. Well
organized.

Presentation aid
had some spelling
errors and
grammar
mistakes. Well
organized.

Presentation aid
had numerous
spelling and
grammar
mistakes. Well
organized.

Presentation aid
had numerous
spelling and
grammar
mistakes. Aid was
unorganized.

Procedure: Schoolhouse Rock

Notes

Notes clearly
organized and
labeled

Notes completed
and labeled, but
messy and out of
order.

Notes not entirely

completed and
unorganized.

Very little notes

taken.
Unorganized and
incomplete.

Procedure
Interview Results and
Reflection

Interviewed 3
adults and
provided a wellwritten reflection
about each
interview.

Interviewed 3
adults, but did
not give a
thorough
reflection.

Interviewed only
1-2 adults, and
provided
reflection.

Did not interview

an adult or write a
reflection.

Presentation speaking

Presentation was
well organized
with presentation
aid. Presentation
was 2-3 minutes
long.

Presentation was
well organized
with presentation
aid. Presentation
was only 1-2
minutes long.

Presentation was
unorganized and
under the time
requirement.
Presentation aid
was messy and
not used.

Presentation was
unorganized and
under the time
requirement. No
presentation aid
was used.

Presentation Aid

Presentation aid
was well
constructed and
organized. Clearly
states the different
branches and
powers. Used
colors and
pictures.

Presentation aid
was well
constructed and
fairly organized.
Clearly states the
different
branches and
powers. Did not
use colors or
pictures.

Presentation aid
was not well
constructed and
unorganized.
Stated different
branches and
powers. Did not
use colors or
pictures.

Presentation aid
was not well
constructed and
unorganized. Did
not state their
different branches
or their powers.
Did not use colors
or pictures.

Total
Points