jan 23 Branches of Government

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Social Studies

Science of Reading

Teacher Facing
January 23, 2025

Student Assistance Form (SAF)

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What is a SAF?

A SAF is an electronic referral form submitted when a Houston ISD student’s need
has been identified. Information provided in a SAF is immediately sent to a caring

professional to be processed.

Wraparound

Team

Campus

Staff

Students

Parents

Community

Members

School

Counselors

District

Personnel

Service

Providers

Who can submit a SAF?

SAF

Instructions

Scan

Submit a Student Assistance Form (SAF) to notify a caring professional about a

student’s need. A SAF can be submitted to connect a student to

resources/services for:

Identified a Need? Submit a SAF

www.HoustonISDsaf.com

•Housing

•Transportation

•and more!

•School Supplies

•Attendance/Truancy

Submit a SAF by scanning the QR code or by typing

•Mental Health

•Food/Clothing

Submit a Student Assistance Form (SAF) to notify a caring professional

about your needs. A SAF can be submitted to connect you to

resources/services for:

Do You Have a Need? Submit a SAF

www.HoustonISDsaf.com

•Housing

•Transportation

•and more!

•School Supplies

•Attendance

Submit a SAF by scanning the QR code or typing

•Mental Health

•Food/Clothing

MRS Icons

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Materials

Social Studies

SoR

Student:
● Three Branches of

Government worksheet

● Scenario card

Teacher:
● Slide Deck

Student:
● Student Activity Page
● Whiteboard
● Response card

Teacher:
● Slide Deck

Open Ended

What are we learning today?

Use two or three words from the Learning Objective (the LO).

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LO:

SWBAT identify leaders in state, local, and national

governments, and the leadership qualities of state and local
leaders, and explain the basic functions of the three branches of
government according to the Texas Constitution.

DOL:SW identify leaders in state, local, and national

governments, and the leadership qualities of state and local
leaders, and explain the basic functions of the three branches of
government according to the Texas Constitution in at least 1 of 2
questions.
SST.4.16A Identify leaders in state, local, and national governments, including the governor, local members of the Texas Legislature, the local mayor, U.S.

senators, local U.S. representatives, and Texans who have been president of the United States.

SST.4.16B Identify leadership qualities of state and local leaders, past and present.
SST.4.13B Identify and explain the basic functions of the three branches of government according to the Texas Constitution.

Texas Through Time

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Lesson Vocabulary

Governor

Legislator

Law

noun

noun

noun

The leader of the Executive
Branch in Texas, responsible for
ensuring laws are followed and
making important decisions.

A member of the Legislative
Branch who helps create
laws.

A rule made by the
government that people must
follow.

Match

Match the correct vocabulary term, or word to its definition.

• governer

• legislator

• law

  ley

the leader of the executive branch

a person who helps create laws

rules that we must follow

• the leader of the executive branch

• a person who helps create laws

• rules that we must follow

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the Blanks

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How They Work Together

➢ Each branch has special jobs

➢ They check each other's work

➢ No branch is more powerful

➢ They must agree on big decisions

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Three Branches of Texas Government

Executive Branch
Led by the
Governor
Makes sure laws
are followed

Legislative Branch
Makes laws
Has two parts:
House and Senate

Judicial Branch
Courts
Makes sure laws
are fair

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The Executive Branch

● The governor is in charge.

● They make sure laws are followed.

● They help keep Texas safe.

● They work with other leaders.

● They sign or veto new laws.

Why is it important for the Governor to work with other leaders?
It is important for the Governor to work with other leaders because…

Open Ended

Name one thing that the executive branch does.

The executive branch ...

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The Judicial Branch

➢ Texas courts

➢ It makes sure laws are fair.

➢ It solves disagreements.

➢ It protects people's rights.

➢ It explains what laws mean.

How does solving disagreements in court help the community?

Solving disagreements in court help the community by…

Open Ended

Name one job of the Judicial Branch.

One job of the Judicial Branches job is ....

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The Legislative Branch

➢ It is like making classroom rules

➢ It has two parts:

○ Texas House of Representatives

○ Texas Senate

➢ It makes new laws.

➢ It decides how to spend money.

➢ It listens to what people need.

Multiple Choice

What Real World Connection with you is most appropriate with the Legislative Branch?

• One of your teachers works in the Legislative Branch

• We have classroom rules (laws)

• You can spend your money how you want.

• Your parents don't listen to you.

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How They Work Together

➢ Each branch has special jobs

➢ They check each other's work

➢ No branch is more powerful

➢ They must agree on big decisions

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Why This Matters to You

➢ Government helps our community.

➢ Leaders make important decisions.

➢ Laws keep us safe.

➢ You can help by:

○ Learning about government

○ Following laws

○ Being a good citizen

Multiple Choice

All of the following are ways you can help EXCEPT -

• learning about government

• follow the laws

• Be a good citizen

• Buying presidential memorabilia

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What do you think would happen if
one branch of government had too
much power?

If one branch of government had too
much power…

Word Bank

unfair laws

control

unbalanced

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Why is it important for the three
branches of government to work
together?

It is important for the three
branches of government to work
together because…

Word Bank

balance

fairness

laws

checks