webquest.html

How Government Works
Michelle Pettigrew

Michigan Framework

Perspective: Civics / Iquiry
Benchmarks:

Distinguish amoung making, enforcing, and interpreting laws, Explain the basic organization of the federal government / Gather and analyze information in order to answer the question posed, Construct an answer to the question posed and support their answer with evidence

Grade Level: 3/4

Introduction

Congratulations!!! You have just been selected as an advisor to the new country of Independenceland. They need you to help them set up their government. In order to do that you must first learn about the make-up of our government and the jobs and duties involved in running the government successfully. You will keep your findings in a journal and you will create a poster explaining our government to the new country of Independenceland.

Task Back to Top

To guide your research, answer the following questions.

1. Explain the role of each of the three branches of government.
2. How are the three branches of government different?
3. Summarize how a bill becomes a law.
4. Describe the role and the make-up of the Supreme Court.
5. Describe the role of the President and Vice President in the Executive branch of the government.

Process Back to Top

Step 1: Independently, visit the Web sites listed in the "Task" section and use complete sentences to write the answers to the questions in your journal.
Step 2: In the "Treasure Hunt" section, take the White House tour. Using complete sentences, answer the questions in your journal.
Step 3: Create a poster using details, text, and pictures to explain our government to the new country of Independenceland.

Resources Back to Top

Web Sites

Three Branches of Government

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Supreme Court

President and Vice President

White House

Literature Links

Our Michigan Adventure David B. McConnell

Treasure Hunt Back to Top

As you tour the White House, answer the following questions in your journal to help you find out...

What are the major features of the White House?

1. In addition to books, what would you find in the White House Library?

2. What was the First Lady Laura Bush's job before she was the First Lady?
3. Describe the Green Room.
4. Compare any two rooms in the White House.
5. Who was the first President to live in the White House.
6. Describe your favorite part of the White House tour.

Evaluation Back to Top

Activities	Excellent	Satisfactory	Poor
Journal Questions	All of the questions from the "Task" section and the "Treasure Hunt" were answered thoughtfully and in complete sentences.	Most questions were answered thoughtfully and in complete sentences.	Few questions were answered thoughtfully and in complete sentences.
Create a Poster	The poster is appealing and contains details, pictures, and text.	The poster contains some details, pictures, and text.	The poster contains few details, pictures, and text.

Conclusion

In this project you have helped the country of Independenceland understand our government through visiting Web sites, answering questions, and creating a poster. You have learned about the branches of government, the Supreme Court, the roles of the President and Vice President, and the White House. Congratulations!!! You have done a fine job!

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