teaching resource

U.S. Branches of Government Sorting Activity

Updated: 24 Oct 2022

Learn about the branches of the U.S. government, each branch's responsibilities and those that are involved in each branch using a sorting activity.

Editable: Google Slides
Non-Editable: PDF
Pages: 6 Pages
Grades: 1 - 3

Curriculum

Social Studies 1.12

Citizenship. The student understands characteristics of good citizenship as exemplified by historical figures and other individuals. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 1
Social Studies 2.1

History. The student understands the historical significance of landmarks and celebrations in the community, state, and nation. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 2
Social Studies 2.11

Citizenship. The student understands important symbols, customs, and celebrations that represent American beliefs and principles that contribute to our national identity. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 2
Social Studies 3.2

History. The student understands common characteristics of communities, past and present. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 3
Social Studies 3.9

Citizenship. The student understands characteristics of good citizenship as exemplified by historical and contemporary figures and organizations. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 3
Social Studies 4.14

Citizenship. The student understands important customs, symbols, and celebrations of Texas. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 4
Social Studies 4.17

Culture. The student understands the contributions of people of various racial, ethnic, and religious groups to Texas culture. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 4
Social Studies 5.3

History. The student understands the significant individuals who contributed to the creation of the U.S. Constitution and the government it established. The student is expected to identify the contributions of Founding Fathers James Madison and Georg...
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 5
Social Studies 5.14

Government. The student understands important ideas in the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 5
Social Studies 5.15

Government. The student understands the framework of government created by the U.S. Constitution of 1787. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 5
Social Studies 5.18

Citizenship. The student understands the importance of effective leadership in a constitutional republic. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 5
Social Studies 5.19

Citizenship. The student understands the fundamental rights of American citizens guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. The student is expected to describe the fundamental rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, including freedom of religion, speech, and...
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 5

teaching resource

U.S. Branches of Government Sorting Activity

Updated: 24 Oct 2022

Learn about the branches of the U.S. government, each branch's responsibilities and those that are involved in each branch using a sorting activity.

Editable: Google Slides
Non-Editable: PDF
Pages: 6 Pages
Grades: 1 - 3

Learn about the branches of the U.S. government, each branch's responsibilities and those that are involved in each branch using a sorting activity.

How to Teach Government in Elementary School…That is the Question…

No matter how you slice it, the United States government is a difficult concept to cover with young learners. Identifying who does what, who is involved, and how it all works is confusing! Congress, the Supreme Court and other high courts, state governments, and many other political actors make up the U.S. government’s vast branches. Learning about their roles can be a lot to take in. This resource is designed to help your learners discover:

What are the three branches of government?
Which branch of government makes laws?
What branch of government declares war?
What branch of government vetoes bills?
And more!

This activity is perfect for helping students study the three branches of government, who is involved, and their responsibilities. The Three Branches of Government Sorting Activity includes 18 cards and three sorting headers (Legislative, Executive, and Judicial). Students will match each card with the appropriate branch that it matches. Great for assessing the students’ mastery!

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your Social Studies lessons.

In addition to individual student work time, use this sorting activity to enhance learning through guided reading groups, whole class lessons, or remote learning assignments.

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts:

🆘 Support Struggling Students

Help students who need help understanding the concepts by

Completing the activity as a whole group or in a small group session.
Provide students with a Branches of Government anchor chart or reference sheet to use during the completion of the activity.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

Have students make an anchor chart or slide presentation about the different branches of government.
Have students turn their learning into an infographic or research project.

🧑‍🏫 Group Lesson (or Other Activity)

Complete the sort together underneath a document camera and discuss the concepts during the lesson.

Plan lessons for more U.S. government topics with our President’s Day Ideas!

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the color or blackline versions of the resource.

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access.

This resource was created by Lindsey, a teacher in Michigan and Teach Starter Collaborator.

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time:

[resource:4820484] [resource:4795409] [resource:4819840]

Curriculum

Social Studies 1.12

Citizenship. The student understands characteristics of good citizenship as exemplified by historical figures and other individuals. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 1
Social Studies 2.1

History. The student understands the historical significance of landmarks and celebrations in the community, state, and nation. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 2
Social Studies 2.11

Citizenship. The student understands important symbols, customs, and celebrations that represent American beliefs and principles that contribute to our national identity. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 2
Social Studies 3.2

History. The student understands common characteristics of communities, past and present. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 3
Social Studies 3.9

Citizenship. The student understands characteristics of good citizenship as exemplified by historical and contemporary figures and organizations. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 3
Social Studies 4.14

Citizenship. The student understands important customs, symbols, and celebrations of Texas. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 4
Social Studies 4.17

Culture. The student understands the contributions of people of various racial, ethnic, and religious groups to Texas culture. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 4
Social Studies 5.3

History. The student understands the significant individuals who contributed to the creation of the U.S. Constitution and the government it established. The student is expected to identify the contributions of Founding Fathers James Madison and Georg...
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 5
Social Studies 5.14

Government. The student understands important ideas in the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 5
Social Studies 5.15

Government. The student understands the framework of government created by the U.S. Constitution of 1787. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 5
Social Studies 5.18

Citizenship. The student understands the importance of effective leadership in a constitutional republic. The student is expected to:
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 5
Social Studies 5.19

Citizenship. The student understands the fundamental rights of American citizens guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. The student is expected to describe the fundamental rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, including freedom of religion, speech, and...
1. TEKS Social Studies
2. TEKS Social Studies 5

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