The Three Branches of State Government

Help your fourth graders see how their state government is set up! In this one-page worksheet, students read a short passage about the three branches of state government, decide which branch does each of six jobs, then circle the two true sentences out of four.

The passage explains that every state government has three branches, just like the national government. The legislative branch, or state legislature, makes state laws, and voters elect its members. The executive branch carries out the laws and is led by the governor, who can sign a bill into law or veto it. The judicial branch is made up of the state courts, where judges decide what laws mean and settle disagreements. Students also meet checks and balances, the idea that each branch can limit the others so no branch has too much power. In the first activity, students write L, E, or J next to each job, so they have to think about what each branch really does. The second activity uses common mix-ups, like thinking the governor leads the courts, to check understanding. Everything students need to answer is right on the page.

What's inside:

• A short passage with key words in bold
• 6 "which branch is it?" sentences to label L, E, or J
• 4 sentences where students circle the two true ones
• A visual answer key with every answer marked in red

How teachers use it:

• As a quick check after a state government lesson
• For morning work, centers, or an exit ticket
• As homework or sub plans, with no prep needed

It takes about 5 to 10 minutes and prints clearly in black and white. This worksheet is part of our Reading in Civics series for grade 4, covering state and local government, citizenship, and how laws are made.