Our Federal System of Government
Session 6: Organization of the National Government

Materials

• Textbook
• Transparency: “Three Branches of Government” (Attachment D)

Instructional Activities

1. Explain that the power of the United States government comes from the Constitution. Power is divided into three branches.
   
   
2. Display the transparency in Attachment D, and briefly explain the three branches of government. Explain that each branch has members that serve different terms and have different qualifications. (Cite some examples.)
   
   
3. As each branch is explained, ask students to turn to the appropriate articles of the Constitution and point out where the organization, powers, and terms are located.
   
   
4. Ask students to name the current officeholder for the executive and legislative branches. Explain that these individuals and their jobs will be discussed later in the unit.
   
   
5. Explain that the United States had a Congress under the Articles of Confederation. The founding fathers trusted this group of representatives and had a clear idea of how they wanted this group structured in the new government. Show students that Article I of the Constitution is the longest and most detailed description.
   
   
6. For homework, ask students to read the section on the legislative branch in their textbook.