Government and Election Day Activities

I have always loved teaching about the three branches of government. It is one of my favorite things to teach and with an election year right around the corner I thought I would share my favorite activities.

With the 2020 election taking place in November there is not a better time to teach all things government. It is very common for students to mix up the three branches of government, especially the legislative branch. One of my favorite activities to make is the 3 branches of government tree (this idea has been around forever).

Students research and learn about the three different branches of government and then each government is placed on a tree branch. Students write about the different branches. The activity with passages can be found here.

A great resource is Brain Pop. Brain Pop has an excellent video that explains the differences between the three branches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_k8UEHG7w4

Another great activity is to place students into groups and have each group research a different branch of government. Then student make a poster and present what they learn.

After teaching about the three branches of government we move onto the election process. I teach the election process using task cards and Boom Cards. Students go through the information we have learned by researching, vocabulary study, and reading comprehension passages and then we apply it to a game like activity.

Another activity that we complete is Road to the White House. Students place the steps one must go through in order to become president.

Also, students can research the two candidates running in the 2020 election and make a foldable book comparing and contrasting their stance on many of the issues that the American people are concerned about.

Election day activities can also be played in Boom Cards.

I have a freebie for you! I have made a flip book and cut and paste activity covering the three branches of government. Click here or the pictures below to receive.