Learning About the 
Three Branches of Government
Created by Lisa Day; White Hall Elementary
A Third Grade Branches of Government WebQuest
Last Updated Fall 2000
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion

INTRODUCTION:

Hi! I am Polly the Patriot Eagle. I work for the United States Government. My primary job is to teach school children about how the United States Government was developed and how the three branches of Government work.

I recently got a phone call from your school principal. He wanted me to visit your class and share my information with you and the other students.  

One Problem! I was so excited about meeting you that I forgot my information handouts and hands-on activity back at the White House! What's a bird to do? Can you help me? I hope so!

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TASK:

Using the scavenger hunt Polly the Patriot Eagle found in the bottom of his suitcase and the note sheet your teacher provided you, you decide to help Polly create a new activity and/or infromation sheet.  

Polly does not care what type of activity or information sheet you develop as long as it is informative and contains information about the United States government and its three branches of government. He is just so grateful that you have agreed to help that he will take anything you can make!

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PROCESS:

Before you begin to help Polly, you must decide what type of activity he could use when teaching students about Government. Could a coloring book, story, poster, or pamphlet be helpful to the students? Could Polly use a crossword puzzle or a cut and paste activity to teach about government?  The choice is yours!

The only thing you need to remember is that Polly could lose his job if your activity is not a success, so do your best!

 

 

Once you have decided what you will make, let your teacher know and she will give you everything that you need to begin gathering government information for your project.

She will give you a copy of the Government Scavenger Hunt that Polly the Patriot Eagle found in his suitcase and a government note-taking sheet.

 

 

 

Once you have enough information, begin creating the activity you decided on earlier. I am sure your teacher can provide you with scissors, crayons, paper, and anything else you need for your project.

 

 

When your activity is complete, have a grown up review it to make sure the information is accurate. Remember this will be used to teach other children so no errors are acceptable. When it is has been edited and you have checked its contents with the scoring checklist, give it to your teacher so that she can score it and get it to Polly. He is eager to see what you have created!

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EVALUATION:

After completing your Teaching About Government Activity, you will turn-in the following items to your teacher.

Government Scavenger Hunt

Note-Taking Sheet

Teaching About Government Activity

The project and note-taking sheet will be scored by using a scoring rubric. The scavenger hunt will be scored by giving the student 1 point for each correct answer.

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CONCLUSION:

Congratulations! I, Polly the Patriot Eagle, have been saved, thanks to you! The students loved me, and they had lots of fun reading and/or completing the activity you created!

You did such a good job; I was wondering if you would consider making an activity that would teach students how a bill becomes a law?

Will you do it? Or have you had enough of Government?

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