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Ben's Guide for U.S. Government (for Kids)-offers multiple levels for reading and complexity
Details
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Activity Website:
Activity Description
Ben's Guide to U. S. Government for Kids is a service of the U.S. Government Printing Office that provides electronic access to information about U.S. history and government. This site is organized by levels and ages: Apprentice 4-8, Journeyman 9-13, Master14+. This helps in presenting the information by reading level as well as complexity.
This site is particularly useful in teaching the basics of U.S. Government as needed in the GED test. Assign each topic to a student or student pair. Have them read about the topic, write about the topic and present what they learned to the class.
Preparation
- Preview the site and tabs across the top. Check out Home, About Ben and GPO, Libraries, Learning Adventures, Glossary and Games. The icon at the top of the page just to the right of the search field it a link to information for Teachers and Parents This includes Learning Adventures, downloadable Inforgraphics on the Branches of Governent and How Laws are Implement, U.S. Government Web sites for Kids, U.S. Government Web sites for Educators
- Make summary assignments.
- Print the Example Document titled "Ben's Guide to U.S. Governemnt" or send it to students via their e-mail or use a common online site such as Dropbox or Google Drive.
How-To
- Discuss/brainstorm government topics with the class.
- Use this Web site as in-class reading or use it as a resource for students to learn more about topics such as branches of government, how laws are made, national vs. state government, election process, citizenship, or symbols of government.
- Assign summary writing—model, write, edit, revise, write on computer, share/publish. You can use the Example Document for student assignment
- Under the section "How Laws Are Made: The Language of the Law" there are links to two glossaries, one for the US Senate and one for the Congress, which can be used for vocabulary assignments.
Teacher Tips
The material at ages 9-13 is a more accessible reading level for ABE students.
More Ways
- Under Games you will find that Branch-O-Mania has a game for each branch of the government. There are also quizzes, crosswords and word searches available to download.
- The About Ben and GPO (link at the top of page) has a nice summary of Benjamin Franklin's accomplishments at a 4th-5th grade reading level. There are additional linked Resources including Ken Burns' four hour documentary, shorter PBS documentaries, and a Wikipedia entry about the Library Company of Philadelphia started by Ben Franklin
- Assign the Historical Documents section to read as a class and discuss.
Program Areas
- ABE: Adult Basic Education
Levels
- Intermediate
- High