State Laws and the Three Branches of Government

This four-minute web-based interactive introduces elementary students to the responsibilities of the three branches of government. With some preparation, students may complete the interactive individually.

The interactive:

Discusses what laws are.
Introduces the three branches of government and their responsibilities of making, enforcing, and interpreting/applying laws.
Includes a brief quiz at the end.

The interactive uses the example of a state law that requires drivers to stop for a school crossing guard (MCL 257.613d). The text of this statute can be found by searching the web site of the Michigan Legislature (www.legislature.mi.gov/).

>>> Play Video

HINTS

For better playback, allow the file to download before playing.
Play/pause controls appear at the
bottom-left corner of the video screen.
To answer a quiz question, click on the answer and press "Submit" at the bottom-right corner of the question screen.

>>>Three Branches of Government Poster (29KB PDF)

>>>Three Branches of Government Coloring Sheets (29KB PDF)

>>>Interpreting the Law Lessons (77KB PDF)