Summary
This civics explainer breaks down the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the U.S. government — what each does and how they share power. A clear anchor for a government or citizenship unit.
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All ages
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
The government is split into three branches so no one part has all the power.
- What are the three branches of government?
- Which branch makes the laws? Which one carries them out? Which decides what they mean?
- Why might it be a good idea to divide power among three branches?
- Who leads the executive branch?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: government, legislative, executive, judicial, branch.
Try it: Make a three-box chart, one per branch, and write that branch's main job in each box.