An Internet WebQuest on Branches of U.S. Government

Introduction | The Task | Process| Branches of Government Questions | Group Process | Assessment | Conclusion

Introduction

You and a team of learners are presented with the task of teaching your classmates about the branches of our government. Each of you must become an expert on your assigned branch of government.

We will use the Internet for our research. In the following WebQuest, you will use the power of teamwork and the abundant resources on the Internet to learn all about the branches of government and the responsibilities of each branch. Each person will learn one branch of government and then teach that branch to their teammates.

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The Task

Your task is to read and answer questions about the 3 Branches of Government (Phase 1). You will then break into groups to research and become experts on 1 branch of Government to get ready to teach it to the rest of the class (Phase 2). Use Powerpoint to present your information and teach the class (Phase 3).
You must answer as a group the following questions:

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The Process 

In this WebQuest you will be working together with a group of students in your class.

You will begin with everyone in your group getting some background information before you divide into groups with your assigned branch of government for research.

Phase 1 - Background: Everyone in the class must answer the following questions:

Resources

Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids - Research the three branches of government here.

U.S.A. Government - This website is designed to help you master different concepts about government. It also contains links and projects so that you can expand your knowledge of the workings of our government.

Branches of Government - This is the official White House page on the Branches of Government. Scroll down and click on each Branch to learn more.

The PBS Kids Democracy Project  - Look at the structure and duties of local, state and federal government

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Phase 2 - The Branches of Government

Use the Internet resources to answer in your groups these questions specifically related to your Branch of Government:

Executive Branch

1. Who is the head of the executive branch of government?

2. Who are the other persons or agencies that are part of the executive branch?

3. What is the role of each part of the executive branch of government?

4. How often are the members of the executive branch selected to their post?

5. What are the qualifications needed for a person to become President?

6. What are the President's duties?

7. In your opinion, what is the most important duty of the President? Why?

Judicial Branch

1. What makes up the judicial branch of government?

2. What is the highest court of the judicial branch?

3. What are the three responsibilities of the judicial branch of government?

4. What is the main power of the supreme court?

5. Who makes up the supreme court?

6. How are the members of the judicial branch of government selected?

7. How long are the Justices appointed and what are the requirements to serve on the supreme court?

Legislative Branch

1. What are the two groups that make up Congress?

2. What two government agencies are part of Congress?

3. What is the primary duty of Congress?

4. What article of the Constitution established this branch?

5. How many Senators are there?

6. What are two important jobs a Senator has?

7. What is one important job of the House of Representatives

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Phase 3 - Real World Feedback

Now's the time to put your learning into a PowerPoint presentation. Discuss the importance of your branch of government. Together you will create a presentation that teaches your branches of government to the class.

Here's the group process:

Answer the Group QUEST(ION): (Title card)


 1. Plan your slides with your group. (total of 5 slides)

2. Give information that explains each branch of government and the responsibilities for each.

 3. Each person in your group should contribute to a paragraph that gives two good reasons your Branch of Government exists. Make sure to be specific in both the information (where you got your information) and the reasoning (why the information proves your group's point). 

4. Have each person on the team proofread the paragraph. Include this as a conclusion to your presentation.

5. Create a quiz on the last slide with the 7 questions you answerd to test the class.

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Evaluation
  

Beginning

1

 Developing

2

 Accomplished

3

 Exemplary

4

 Score
Working cooperatively in the group.

 
Contributed a little to the group. 
Worked a little with the group but was off  task for some of the assignment.
Worked cooperatively with group members.  Actively participated in all  parts of the assignment.
Worked cooperatively in the group. Helped the group to stay focused on the assignment. 
  

Answered all questions correctly. 
Did not answer all questions.
More than 50% wrong.
90-100% correct.
100% correct with clear knowledge of subject.
  
Powerpoint presrentation
 
 

 
Slideshow is missing most of the required items. 
Sideshow, has some of the required items, but is incomplete.
Slideshow has all of the items required. 
Slideshow has all the required items, and is well organized and neatly done. 
  
Presentation of Material.

 
Contributed a little to the presentation.
Took part in the presentation, but let other members of the group do most of the work,
Took an active role in the presentation.  All members of the group particiated equally. 
Took a leadership role in the presentation. 
  
Knowledge of Material.
Demonstrated  some knowledge of the content.
Domonstrated knowledge of most of the content, but not all.
Deomonstrated knowledge of all content objectives.
Demonstrated knowledge of all content objectives, and was able to clearly convey information to other students.
  
 

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Conclusion

 You will now present what you have learned to your classmates in your PowerPoint presentation. This WebQuest has been a lot of work, but you should be proud that you have learned a great deal about your government and have formed your own opinions about the importance of government.

Extension

If you have time, click on:

The PBS Kids Democracy Project , click on President for a day and learn the daily routine of the President.
Begin with the game 'How Government Affects Me?'
Concentrate on understanding the levels of government (state, federal, and local) and the branches of government (legislative, judicial, and executive) represented in the capitol building of the virtual town.


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Branches of Government graphic was selected from
Ben's Government http://bensguide.gpo.gov/k-2/index.html
Rubric based on a template from The WebQuest Page