Checks and Balances Reading for Elementary Students

Legislative Branch 

 

Three Branches of Government 

The Constitution includes the outlines of the United States’ three branches, or three parts, of government: the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. 

Legislative Branch: This is the branch of government that makes laws. It is like the rule-makers. This includes Congress, which is made of the House of Representatives and the Senate working together to create laws. The Constitution says what Congress can and cannot do. The Constitution gives power to Congress to make laws, keep the country safe, and make sure states worked together.  

Checks and Balances 

The people who made the Constitution wanted each branch of government to keep an eye on the others. Each branch has powers, but it also has limits. This way, no branch could get too powerful and make all the decisions. They called this “checks and balances.” Imagine it like a big game where everyone has a different role, and they all need to work together to win.  

For example, if the legislative branch makes a new law, the president in the executive branch can decide if it’s a good idea and sign it into law or say no. This is called the power of the veto. The judicial branch can also look at the new law and decide if it is unconstitutional, which means it does not follow the rules of the Constitution.  

If the president does something that goes beyond the Constitution, the judicial branch can look at it and decide if it’s fair or not according to the rules in the Constitution. If the president or judges are not doing their job, the legislative branch can decide to impeach them. Impeach means to charge for bad behavior. The House of Representatives impeaches, and the Senate has a trial and votes if the person should be removed from office.  

The president can pick judges, and the legislative branch gets to approve those picks. All three branches of government must follow the rules. 

Executive Branch 

Three Branches of Government 

The Constitution includes the outlines of the United States’ three branches, or three parts, of government: the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. 

Executive Branch: This branch is like the managers. They carry out the laws that the legislative branch makes. The head of this branch is the president, who leads the country and helps make sure things are running smoothly.  

Checks and Balances 

The people who made the Constitution wanted each branch of government to keep an eye on the others. Each branch has powers, but it also has limits. This way, no branch could get too powerful and make all the decisions. They called this “checks and balances.” Imagine it like a big game where everyone has a different role, and they all need to work together to win.  

For example, if the legislative branch makes a new law, the president in the executive branch can decide if it’s a good idea and sign it into law or say no. This is called the power of the veto. The judicial branch can also look at the new law and decide if it is unconstitutional, which means it does not follow the rules of the Constitution.  

If the president does something that goes beyond the Constitution, the judicial branch can look at it and decide if it’s fair or not according to the rules in the Constitution. If the president or judges are not doing their job, the legislative branch can decide to impeach them. Impeach means to charge for bad behavior. The House of Representatives impeaches, and then the Senate has a trial and votes if the person should be removed from office.  

The president can pick judges, and the legislative branch gets to approve those picks.  All three branches of government must follow the rules. 

Judicial Branch 

Three Branches of Government 

The Constitution includes the outlines of the United States’ three branches, or three parts, of government: the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. 

Judicial Branch: This is the branch that makes sure laws are fair and followed. It i‘s like the referee of the government. The highest court in this branch is the Supreme Court, which makes sure everyone follows the rules in the Constitution. 

Checks and Balances 

The people who made the Constitution wanted each branch of government to keep an eye on the others. Each branch has powers, but it also has limits. This way, no branch could get too powerful and make all the decisions. They called this “checks and balances.” Imagine it like a big game where everyone has a different role, and they all need to work together to win.  

For example, if the legislative branch makes a new law, the president in the executive branch can decide if it’s a good idea and sign it into law or say no. This is called the power of the veto. The judicial branch can also look at the new law and decide if it is unconstitutional, which means it does not follow the rules of the Constitution.  

If the president does something that goes beyond the Constitution, the judicial branch can look at it and decide if it’s fair or not according to the rules in the Constitution. If the president or judges are not doing their job, the legislative branch can decide to impeach them. Impeach means to charge for bad behavior. The House of Representatives impeaches, and then the Senate has a trial and votes if the person should be removed from office.  

The president can pick judges, and the legislative branch gets to approve those picks. All three branches must follow the rules.