Separation of Powers: What's for Lunch?

Lesson Plan

Students find out how the checks and balances of the three branches of government work. Through the process of creating a healthy school lunch menu, students…

Overview

Students find out how the checks and balances of the three branches of government work. Through the process of creating a healthy school lunch menu, students role-play each branch’s responsibility in the law-making process. They then compare the simulation activity to a real-life example of a bill that became law.

iCivics en español! Student and class materials for this lesson are available in Spanish.

Grade Levels

  • 6-8

Learning Objectives

  • Simulate the roles of each of the three branches of government
  • Identify the main role and function of each of the three branches
  • Compare the simulation to a real-life example of a bill that became law
  • Compare and contrast the simulation activity to the real-life interaction of the three branches

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