TITLE:  SEPARATION OF POWERS BETWEEN THE THREE BRANCHES OF
                           GOVERNMENT

AUTHOR:  Tim Brennan, Weiser High School, ID

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:  10-12

OVERVIEW:  In studying the development of the Constitution students
have a  difficulty understanding the checks and balances between the
three branches of government.

PURPOSE:  The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand
the concept of the three branches of government.  By understanding
the development of the these branches the students will better
understand the decision making process by which our government lives.

OBJECTIVES: 
1.  Students will list the specific powers of the three branches of
government.
2.  Students will give current examples of the system of checks and
balances in the national government.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
Textbook and instructor to help groups develop their list.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1.  Divide the class into three teams each representing one of the
executive, judicial and legislative branches of government.
2.  Each teach shall develop a list of powers for their branch of
government.
3.  Record the powers of each branch on the board from the list the
students have developed.
4.  Then start with any of their branch's powers.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:  Discuss current examples of how the governmental
branches have used their checks on each other.