Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)

Lesson Idea Name: Branches of Government

Content Area: Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 3rd

Content Standard Addressed: SS3CG1 Describe the elements of representative democracy/republic in the
United States. a. Describe the three branches of national government: executive (president), legislative
(Congress), and judicial (Supreme Court of the United States). b. Describe the three branches of state
government: executive (governor), legislative (Georgia General Assembly), and judicial (Supreme Court of
Georgia). c. State the main responsibility of each branch: executive (enforcing laws), legislative (making laws),
judicial (determining if laws are fair).

Technology Standard Addressed:

3a. Students plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information and other resources for their
intellectual or creative pursuits.
6d. Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for their intended
audiences.

Selected Technology Tool: Bubbl.us

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable): https://bubbl.us/10000080

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

☒ Remembering ☒ Understanding ☒ Applying ☒ Analyzing ☒ Evaluating ☒ Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level):

☐ Level 1: Awareness ☐ Level 2: Exploration ☐ Level 3: Infusion ☒ Level 4: Integration
☐ Level 5: Expansion ☐ Level 6: Refinement

Universal Design for Learning (UDL):

This assignment may support UDL in the following ways:
 “Chunk” information into smaller elements
 Use checklists and guides for note-taking, and guiding questions for self-monitoring

Lesson idea implementation:

The topic of the 3 branches of government should be introduced in a way that the children can relate to
(for example breaking down how a circus can mirror the 3 branches). The students should then be given a
diagram or written example (like a list) of the analogy given. The teacher should introduce each branch
individually after she/he has thoroughly explained the example. The teacher should only introduce each
branch and who is in the branches; they should inform the students to research the branches on their own to
find out what their responsibilities are.
The students should use their student laptops or iPads to conduct this research. They will be instructed to
use the website Bubbl.us to develop a mind map for the information they find. The mind map should include
who are in the branches (which was given by the teacher) and what the responsibilities of each branch are.
Once they are complete, they students should screenshot and print their map to be looked over by their
teacher and then placed in their notebooks as notes.

Spring 2018_SJB
 Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)
Reflective Practice:
Once the students get a hang of using the website, they will be able to utilize it to create mind maps for
concepts the learn about in school (they can use it as a note taking strategy). Students could also use this for
regular assignments, like writing papers or essays, as a starter to organize their ideas.

Spring 2018_SJB