Three Branches of Government Matching

5th Grade Social StudiesUS Government5 pages

About this worksheet

Three matching sets, 17 items in all, test how well 5th grade students know the branches of government. Set 1 pairs each branch and Articles I, II, and III with a description, and Legislative Branch is done as an example. Set 2 matches powers such as declaring war and nominating federal judges to a branch. Set 3 gives real scenarios, like two states arguing over a river. A Beyond Matching question on one branch checking another closes the 5 pages. It covers C3 Framework indicators D2.Civ.1.3-5 and D2.Civ.5.3-5, with a full answer key.

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Three Branches of Government Matching: US Government - page 1

Three Branches of Government Matching: US Government - page 2

Three Branches of Government Matching: US Government - page 3

Three Branches of Government Matching: US Government - page 4

Three Branches of Government Matching: US Government - page 5

Curriculum objectives covered

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.”

Sets 2 and 3, which ask who declares war, who nominates judges, who acts as Commander in Chief, and who settles a dispute between two states.

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.”

Set 1, which ties each branch to the article of the Constitution that sets it up.

What's inside this worksheet

Constitutional Structure

Students match Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branch plus Article I, Article II, and Article III to six descriptions. Number 1 is already filled in with the letter C.

Specific Powers

Six powers, from signing or vetoing bills to overriding a veto with a two-thirds vote. Each choice names a branch plus a clue in parentheses, such as "Court's check on the President," so students must read past the branch name.

Real-World Scenarios

Five situations, including a new highway safety law, a treaty with a foreign nation, military orders for an overseas emergency, and a citizen who says a voting law violates their rights.

Beyond Matching

Students pick one power from the sets and explain, with an example, how another branch can check it.

How teachers use it

Test review

Set 1 goes well with a copy of the Constitution's article titles. Students who mix up Article II and Article III usually fix it once they link the President to the second article.

Tricky set

Set 2 has two Executive, two Legislative, and two Judicial choices. Warn students ahead of time, because many stop at the branch name and take the first match.

Small group

Groups can argue over the real-world scenarios before they check the key. Scenario 4, the voting law, often pulls students toward Congress.

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