U.S. Government
Ohio Academic Content Standard – Social Studies – 5th grade
Explain major responsibilities of each of the three branches of the U.S. government:
The legislative branch, headed by Congress, passes laws.
The executive branch, headed by the president, carries out and enforces the laws made by Congress.
The judicial branch, headed by the Supreme Court, interprets and applies the law.
Explain the essential characteristics of American democracy including:
The people are the source of the government's authority.
All citizens have the right and responsibility to vote and influence the decisions of the government.
The government is run directly by the people or through elected representatives.
The powers of government are limited by law.
Resources - Books
J 328.73 De Capua, Sarah. Making a law. New York : Children's Press, 2004. Explains what laws are, how local, state, and federal laws are made, and what citizens can do to participate in the lawmaking process
J328.73 Egan, Tracie. How a bill becomes a law. New York: Rosen Pub. Group, 2004. Discusses how legislators devise, debate, and approve new laws, with the concurrence of the president.
J 328.73 Hamilton, John. How a bill becomes a law. Edina, Minn: ABDO Pub. Co. 2005. explanations of how our government works and the rights and duties of citizens. Bill focuses on passage of federal laws, and the narrative is enhanced by a spread that graphically indicates the steps in passing legislation. Office shows the various stages in a campaign and discusses basic differences between Republicans and Democrats.
J 328.73 Donovan, Sandra. Making laws : a look at how a bill becomes a law. Minneapolis : Lerner Publications Co., 2004. Contains : It all starts with an idea : people and interest groups, Introducing ...,Getting a fair hearing : the committee stage, Traffic cop : the rules committee and calendars, On the floor: debating and voting, sorting things out : conference committees, to the president : getting signed into law.
J 347.73 Giddens-White, Bryon. The Supreme Court and the judicial branch. Chicago, Ill.: Heinemann Library, 2006. Includes: The Supreme Court upholds the right to free speech -- Introduction to the judicial branch -- The constitution and the judicial branch -- Judicial checks and balances -- The organization of the judicial branch -- Federal courts vs. state courts -- The district courts -- The appellate courts -- The Supreme Court -- How the Supreme Court decides a case -- Important Supreme Court decisions -- The Supreme Court building and a day in the life of a justice.
Websites
Kids in the House – Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
Includes Meet the Clerk, Learn about Congress, How Laws are Made, Time Traveler, Field Trip, and Fun and Games.
Ben’s Guide: Grades 3 - 5
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/index.html
Website about the U.S. Government for Kids contains how laws are made, national versus state government, and election process.