Fifth Grade: Social Studies Checks and Balances

Week 3: April 20, 2020

A Day to Remember

​

Twenty-five years ago, this week was an important part of Oklahoma’s history. Watch the video and take a moment to pause and reflect on this time in history.

​

​

​

The Oklahoma Standard

The Oklahoma Standard

“The Oklahoma Standard is a statewide initiative preserving and promoting a culture of caring citizens by encouraging Acts of Service, Honor, and Kindness.

It lives on today as the model by which Oklahomans live their lives in response to the needs of their neighbors, fellow citizens, and communities. The foundation and significance of the Oklahoma Standard are its core values—SERVICE, HONOR and KINDNESS.

Through continued awareness, education, and the preservation of these values, the Oklahoma Standard unites the people of Oklahoma to build a bright future of caring citizens who actively serve the community, honor the past, and demonstrate kindness.” https://oklahomastandard.com/

​

​

​

25th Anniversary Virtual Trunk

The first trunk, a 25th Anniversary Virtual Hope Trunk will help you understand the Looking Back — Thinking Forward story of the Memorial.

​

Click on the image to tour the virtual trunk.

Lesson One: I Can Statements

I can describe what powers each branch of government is given and how they use that power to watch over the other branches.

​

I can explain how each branch of government can check or control the decisions of the other branches.

​

​

Warm Up Activity

1. Take a sheet of paper, any kind, and cut out three circles.
2. Write one of the following words on each circle.

-Executive Branch

-Legislative Branch

-Judicial Branch

• Cut out 6 strips of paper with an arrow on the end of each strip of paper.
• Hold on to all pieces. You will need them for the next activity at the end of the lesson.

​

What are Checks and Balances?

1)Checks and balances represent the separation of powers to prevent any one of the 3 branches of government from becoming too powerful.

​

2)The power is spread out into 3 separate branches, each operating independently from the others.

What are Checks and Balances?

3)Checks and balances mean that each of the 3 branches have some power to check the actions of another branch. Each branch of government has specific jobs to do but the checks and balances give all the branches the power to hold another branch back.

Checks and Balances

Directions:

​

Watch the video:

​

As you watch, notice

some ways each

branch checks

another.

​

​

​

Name that Branch! (The answer is on next slide.)

​

• Write bills
• Makes laws
• Passes taxes
• Approves treaties
• Approves appointments

The answer is:

Name that Branch! (The answer is on next slide.)

​

• Decides whether or not laws are unconstitutional
• Explains the meanings of treaties

The answer is:

​

​

Name that Branch! (The answer is on next slide.)

​

• Carries out, or enforces the law
• Manages the government
• Suggests new laws
• Makes treaties
• Heads the armed forces

The answer is:

Wrap Up Activity: What are Checks and Balances?

Directions:

1. Create: On a sheet of paper, glue the three circles you cut out earlier in a triangular shape. Using the 6 strips of paper with arrows, write on each arrow one way a specific branch can control another. Glue that arrow with the point towards the branch it can check or control.
2. Write: In your opinion, is this a fair way to control the branches of government and keep one branch from becoming too powerful? Write 3-4 sentences explaining your opinion on the same paper.
3. Share: When you have completed the activity, share your paper with a loved one.

Check Your Work.

This is an example

of the Checks and

Balances system.

Your creation

may be similar.

​

Write:

In my opinion, . . .

​

Lesson Two: I Can Statements

​

I can describe the Checks and Balance system to another person.

​

Warm up Activity

1. Using your paper from yesterday:

Choose one example for each below:

• The Judicial branch checks the

Executive and Legislative branches

• The Executive branch checks the

Judicial and Legislative branches

• The Legislative branch checks the

Executive and Judicial branches

• Write your answers on a sheet of paper.

​

​

​

What is the purpose of Checks and Balances?

The system of checks and balances is an

important part of the Constitution. With

checks and balances, each of the

three branches of government can limit the

powers of the others. Each branch “checks”

the power of the other branches to make sure that the power is balanced between them. That way one branch cannot have too much power over the other two branches.

Checks and Balances

Directions:

�Watch the video. Notice

how each branch has

power over another

branch.

​

Click here to get your own copy- Drag the seal to the right to reveal the correct answer.

Recall

Checks and Balances. In order to make sure that one branch didn't become too powerful, the Constitution has "checks and balances" that enable each branch to keep the others in line.

​

Separation of Powers. The powers of the government are "balanced" between the three branches.

Review: Checks and Balances

Watch:

Watch the

final video.

Wrap Up: Checks and Balances Reflection

Directions:

1. Write: On a sheet of notebook paper, answer the following question in a short paragraph.

Question: How does the system of checks and balances affect the lives of citizens of the United States today? Cite examples from what you’ve learned this week to support your thoughts.

• Create: Illustrate an example of one branch “checking” another on the back of your paper. Add a sentence describing what you illustrated.
• Share: Please share your reflection with a loved one or send to your teacher through Seesaw or Google Classroom.