Pictures of the US Capitol, the White House, and the Supreme Court open this 3rd grade civics sheet. Students use a word bank to write each branch name and its main job under the right building. Three scenarios follow, such as nine justices hearing a case about the Constitution, and students pick the branch doing the work. The 3-page sheet practices C3 Framework D2.Civ.1.3-5. An answer page gives each building's branch and job and the three scenario letters.
D2.Civ.1.3-5
“Distinguish the responsibilities and powers of government officials at various levels and branches of government and in different times and places.”
Section 2, where students link the President, Congress, and the justices to the work each one does.
D2.Civ.5.3-5
“Explain the origins, functions, and structure of different systems of government, including those created by the U.S. and state constitutions.”
The building match, which pairs each branch with its home in Washington, D.C. and its main job.
Under each building, students write Executive, Legislative, or Judicial and one of three jobs: makes the laws, carries out the laws, or makes sure laws are fair.
Three scenarios with a, b, and c choices. The President signs a bill to protect national parks, the Senate and House vote on a school law, and nine justices hear a court case.
The Capitol is Legislative and makes laws, the White House is Executive and carries out laws, and the Supreme Court is Judicial and makes sure laws are fair.
Intro lesson
Show photos of the three buildings first. Students who know the White House still mix up the Capitol and the Supreme Court, since both have columns.
Think aloud
Do scenario 1 together. Some students pick Legislative because the word bill appears, so talk about who writes a bill and who signs it.
Civics center
Cut the word bank into cards and leave them with the sheet. Students lay the cards under each picture before they write.
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