Checks and Balances SEL

In this 90 minute lesson, students will develop SEL skills such as self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills while analyzing examples of checks and balances. This lesson opens with a Do Now that assess students’ prior knowledge of the constitutional principle of separation of powers, as well of each branch’s basic role in government. Next, the whole class will read about checks and balances. The students will then work through four historical examples of checks and balances in action. The teacher will model the first example, the whole class will complete the second example together, the third example will be completed in small groups, and the final example will be completed individually. After each step, students will pause and reflect on their progress as a learner. The class will end with students completing an exit ticket that has students share their understanding of the lesson’s topic, reflect on their progress as a learner, and set goals. Answer keys for all activities are included.  This lesson is aligned to the Common Core Standards for History/Social Studies and the Ohio State Content Standards for American Government.

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