Grades 2–5
Local, State or National?
Learn the leader of each level of government (mayor, governor, President) and sort 9 jobs into local, state or national.
Social studies worksheet · Government and citizenship
The Three Branches of Government
A tree diagram of the legislative, executive and judicial branches: who is in each one and what each one does.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–5
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Government and citizenship, Rules and laws, Voting, Rights and responsibilities
What kids do
“Fill in each branch with words from the word bank.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Checks and balances
- Each branch can check, or limit, the other two, so no branch gets too much power.
- Congress has two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Words on this sheet
makes lawsLegislative branchExecutive branchJudicial branch
Teacher tip
Draw a tree on the board and add the branches as you talk.
How to use it
- Connect the sheet to your class rules or a class vote.
- Use simple examples: the mayor helps the town, the governor helps the state.
- Start with a quick question that connects the topic to kids’ own lives.
Watch for
Keep politics neutral. Focus on how government works, not on parties or people.
Talk about it
- What makes a good leader?
- What question would you ask an expert on this topic?
Take it further
Write a letter to a local leader about a real problem.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More government and citizenship worksheets
Grades 2–5
How I Can Be a Good Citizen
A good citizen checklist kids can use all week, plus a drawing and a promise for how they will help their community.
Grades 2–5
Class Vote: Ballots and Tally
Hold a real class election: 6 cut-out ballots, a tally chart and a results box. In the United States, citizens can vote at 18.
Grades 2–5
If I Were President
Kids imagine being President: draw a portrait, make 3 promises and invent a new law, with real facts about the job.
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