Grade 2 | HISTORY AND SOCIAL STUDIES
WEEK 5 • STUDENT TEXTBOOK • DAYS 21–25
Read each lesson with a parent or teacher and study the worked example. Then answer the questions for that day in the Week 5 Practice Workbook.
Week 5 Student Textbook | Week 5 Practice Workbook | Week 5 Teacher Guide | Week 4 Student Textbook | Week 6 Student Textbook | Grade 2 index
Day 21: Why Government Has Three Branches
The Constitution divides the national government into three branches, like three branches of a tree. Each branch has its own job.
Dividing the work keeps any one person or group from having too much power. Each branch can check the others. This is called checks and balances.
Worked example: Why does the Constitution divide power among three branches?
- Find the reason in the lesson.
- Dividing power keeps one person or group from having too much power.
Worked answer: So no one person or group has too much power.
Day 22: The Legislative Branch: Congress
The legislative branch is called Congress. Its main job is to make laws for the nation. Congress meets in the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Congress has two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each state has 2 senators. States with more people have more members in the House. Citizens vote to choose the members of Congress.
Worked example: How many senators does Alabama have in the United States Senate?
- Each state has 2 senators.
- Alabama is a state.
Worked answer: Alabama has 2 senators.
Day 23: The Executive Branch: The President
The executive branch carries out, or enforces, the laws. It is led by the President of the United States, who lives and works in the White House in Washington, D.C.
The President leads the armed forces, meets with leaders of other countries, and signs bills to make them laws. The Vice President helps the President. Citizens vote for the President every 4 years.
Worked example: Where does the President live and work?
- Find the building in the lesson.
- The President lives and works in the White House.
Worked answer: The White House in Washington, D.C.
Day 24: The Judicial Branch: The Courts
The judicial branch is made up of courts and judges. Judges decide what laws mean and whether laws follow the Constitution.
The highest court in the nation is the Supreme Court. It has 9 judges, called justices. When people disagree about what a law means, the courts settle the question.
Worked example: What is the highest court in the United States?
- Find the highest court in the lesson.
- The highest court is the Supreme Court.
Worked answer: The Supreme Court.
Day 25: Independent Check: Three Branches
Today you will read new information and answer on your own.
Use what you learned this week: the three branches and the job of each.
Worked example: Which branch carries out the laws?
- Remember Day 23.
- The executive branch carries out the laws.
Worked answer: The executive branch.
Week 5 Student Textbook | Week 5 Practice Workbook | Week 5 Teacher Guide | Week 4 Student Textbook | Week 6 Student Textbook | Grade 2 index