Checks and Balances Scenarios

3rd Grade Social StudiesBranches of Government3 pages

About this worksheet

Two matching sets and one written answer on checks and balances for 3rd grade, over 3 pages. First, students match six terms such as veto a bill, override a veto and unconstitutional to their meanings, with the first one done for them. Next, they match six scenarios to the check being used, from the President vetoing a highway bill to the Senate approving a new justice. Question 7 asks how the veto and the override keep one branch from getting too strong. It ties to C3 D2.Civ.1.3-5 and D2.Civ.3.3-5, and the answer page gives both letter sets and a sample answer.

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Curriculum objectives covered

D2.Civ.1.3-5

โ€œDistinguish the responsibilities and powers of government officials at various levels and branches of government and in different times and places.โ€

The scenario match asks which branch checks which, such as the President choosing who serves on the Court.

D2.Civ.3.3-5

โ€œExamine the origins and purposes of rules, laws, and key U.S. constitutional provisions.โ€

The term unconstitutional and the scenario about a law that goes against the Constitution link each check to the Constitution.

What's inside this worksheet

Checks and Balances in Action

Six terms to match to six meanings by writing a letter in each box. Checks and balances is done as the example.

Scenario match

Six scenarios, including the Supreme Court striking down a law that stops peaceful protests and Congress voting on the national budget, to match with statements such as The Judicial Branch checks the Legislative Branch.

Written answer

Students explain how the highway bill veto and the two-thirds vote work together.

Answers

Both letter sets and a sample answer for question 7.

How teachers use it

Act it out

Give three students signs for Congress, the President and the Court. Read the highway bill scenarios and have them pass a paper bill along.

Words the day before

Do page 1 on its own a day early. Students who already know override and confirm finish the scenarios much faster.

Exit ticket

Use question 7 alone at the end of the lesson. A strong answer names both the veto and the two-thirds vote.

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