2nd Grade Social Studies
Government
Unit 6
Welcome to Unit 6: Government!
Welcome to Unit 6: Government!
What are the three branches of government?
What are the three branches of government?
The U.S. Constitution divides the federal government into three branches to make sure no individual or group will have too much power. Each branch of government can change acts of the other branches.
Legislative
Legislative
The legislation branch creates laws. The branch includes Congress, which is made up of two parts: the Senate and House of Representatives.
The legislation branch creates laws. The branch includes Congress, which is made up of two parts: the Senate and House of Representatives.
Executive
Executive
The executive branch carries out laws. The executive branch includes the president, vice president, Cabinet, and most federal agencies.
The executive branch carries out laws. The executive branch includes the president, vice president, Cabinet, and most federal agencies.
Congress:
Congress:
Senate: There are two Senators per state (elected by the people) which means there are 100 Senators in total. A Senator serves for six years and there is no limit to the number of terms they can serve.
Senate: There are two Senators per state (elected by the people) which means there are 100 Senators in total. A Senator serves for six years and there is no limit to the number of terms they can serve.
House of Representatives: There are 435 elected Representatives. Each state has a different number of representatives because it depends on the state's population (for example, Georgia has 14 representatives, but New York has 27 representatives). A Representative serves a two-year term, and there is no limit to the number of terms they can serve.
House of Representatives: There are 435 elected Representatives. Each state has a different number of representatives because it depends on the state's population (for example, Georgia has 14 representatives, but New York has 27 representatives). A Representative serves a two-year term, and there is no limit to the number of terms they can serve.
President: The president leads the country as the head of state and leader of the federal government. The president serves for four-year terms and can only be elected up to two times.
President: The president leads the country as the head of state and leader of the federal government. The president serves for four-year terms and can only be elected up to two times.
Vice President: The vice president supports the president. If the president can't serve, the vice president becomes president. The vice president can serve as many times as they want as vice president.
Vice President: The vice president supports the president. If the president can't serve, the vice president becomes president. The vice president can serve as many times as they want as vice president.
The Cabinet: The Cabinet are advisors to the President. The Cabinet includes the vice president, and heads of executive departments. The president nominates members of The Cabinet and and members must be approved by the majority of Senate.
The Cabinet: The Cabinet are advisors to the President. The Cabinet includes the vice president, and heads of executive departments. The president nominates members of The Cabinet and and members must be approved by the majority of Senate.
President Jimmy Carter
President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter was the Governor of Georgia and was the first and only Georgian to become President of the United States. He was the 39th President and served one term (4 years), from 1977-1981.
Jimmy Carter was the Governor of Georgia and was the first and only Georgian to become President of the United States. He was the 39th President and served one term (4 years), from 1977-1981.
Judicial
Judicial
The judicial branch evaluates laws and includes the Supreme Court and other courts.
The judicial branch evaluates laws and includes the Supreme Court and other courts.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. The members of the Supreme Court are nominated by the president and must be approved by the Senate (like The Cabinet)
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. The members of the Supreme Court are nominated by the president and must be approved by the Senate (like The Cabinet)
- There are nine members in the Supreme Court: a Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.
- There is no required amount of years for terms. Members serve until retirement, death, or removal.
Let's watch this super fun video to learn what bills are! Sing along to Schoolhouse Rock!
Let's watch this super fun video to learn what bills are! Sing along to Schoolhouse Rock!
Let's play this super fun game on Branches of Power!
Let's play this super fun game on Branches of Power!
What are the differences between governors and mayors?
What are the differences between governors and mayors?
Governors
Governors
Governors are in charge of the state and its government. There are 50 states in the United States so there are 50 governors.
Governors are in charge of the state and its government. There are 50 states in the United States so there are 50 governors.
Mayors
Mayors
Mayors are in charge of the city or town. They have their own local government under the authority of the state government.
Mayors are in charge of the city or town. They have their own local government under the authority of the state government.
Voting
Voting
Watch this important video on voting!
Watch this important video on voting!
Constitutional Rights
Constitutional Rights
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 Amendments (parts) in the U.S. Constitution. They protect our individual rights. The first amendment includes:
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 Amendments (parts) in the U.S. Constitution. They protect our individual rights. The first amendment includes:
- The freedom of press
- The freedom of assembly
- The freedom of petition
- The freedom of religion
- The freedom of speech
You can remember these rights through the acronym P.A.P.R.S.
You can remember these rights through the acronym P.A.P.R.S.
Congratulations! You're done with 2nd Grade Social Studies! Give yourself a pat on the back!
Congratulations! You're done with 2nd Grade Social Studies! Give yourself a pat on the back!
Test & Try what you learned! Click the button below.
Test & Try what you learned! Click the button below.