SSCI 110: Gutierrez, Amanda
Lesson Plan
BASIC INFORMATION
Summary
Grade Level
Time Frame
Subject(s)
Topic(s)
Instructional Materials & Prep
STANDARDS AND OBJECTIVES
CA Content Standard(s)
CA ELD/ELA Standard(s)
Lesson Objective(s)
● This lesson is going to introduce students to The US Constitution and
its major elements, as well as the three branches of government and
their roles
● 4th grade
● 1 hour
● Social Studies, English Literacy
● The US constitution, Three branches of government,
● Projector to display worksheet and show videos
● Pencils
● Worksheet
● Large lined paper
● markers
4.5 Students understand the structures, functions, and powers of the
local, state, and federal governments as described in the U.S.
Constitution.
4.5.1 Discuss what the U.S. Constitution is and why it is important (i.e.,
a written document that defines the structure and purpose of the U.S.
government and describes the shared powers of federal, state, and local
governments).
4.5.3 3. Describe the similarities (e.g., written documents, rule
of law, consent of the governed, three separate branches) and
differences (e.g., scope of jurisdiction, limits on government powers,
use of the military) among federal, state, and local governments.
RI.4.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific
words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area.
(See grade 4 Language standards 4–6 for additional expectations.) CA
SL.4.2 Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information
presented in diverse media and formats, including visually,
quantitatively, and orally.
● Students will understand the role of the US constitution in American
government

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
Vocabulary and/or Vocabulary
Resources
ASSESSMENT
Assessment of Learning
LEARNING EXPERIENCES
Sequence of Activities
● Students will be able to identify the key elements of the US
constitution
● Students will be able to identify the three branches of government and
their roles
● Constitution
● Popular Sovereignty
● law
● Checks and balances
● Veto
● Amendment
● Students will have filled out Three Branches of Government
worksheet correctly.(shows understanding of the three branches and
their roles in government.
● In groups, students will write and present their own constitution for
the classroom with justification for why it would make the classroom
environment better.(shows understanding for what a constitution is,
it’s uses, and the weight it carries)
Introduction
● Have a class discussion. Ask guided questions as a class to introduce
the topic and get the students thinking (Have they heard of the
constitution? What is the constitution? What do they think it’s used
for? Have they heard of the branches of government?) [5 mins]
● Display the BrainPop video on the US constitution and watch it as a
class. [7 minutes]
● Come together as a class to discuss the video. Revisit the questions
asked earlier “What is a constitution? What is the constitution
used for? What are the 3 branches of government? Students will
raise their hands and come up to the board to write down their
answers.[5minutes]
Group work
● In groups students will write their own “constitution” to make
the classroom a better place.[10 minutes]
● Students will read their constitution to the class and explain
their reasoning behind it.[15 minutes]
● Display the Three Branches of Government SchoolHouse Rock
video and watch it as a class. [3 minutes]
● Discuss the video as a class. Ask questions regarding the three
branches of government, “ Who is in charge of the executive branch?
Who is in charge of the judicial branch?Who is in charge of the
legislative branch? Students will raise their hands and come up to
the board to write down their answers.[5minutes]
 Independent work
● Students will now independently fill in their 3 branches of
government worksheets with what they’re learned. [4 minutes]
● Now students can share their answers with their table groups and add
any information they might have missed.[4 minutes]
CLOSURE
Closure ● Each student will receive a sticky note and write one new thing that
they learned and stick it on the door on the way out of class as an exit
ticket. [1 minute]

Sources

Youtube video “The US Constitution: What Powers Does it Have?

Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?vE2NdpRHIJDw

Youtube video Three Branches of Government School House Rock

Link:Three Branches of Government School House Rock - YouTube

Worksheet on my own drive : Three branches of governmnet.pdf - Google Drive

Appendix A