Students find out how the checks and balances of the three branches of government work. Through the process of creating a healthy school lunch menu, students role-play each branch’s responsibility in the law-making process. They then compare the simulation activity to a real-life example of a bill that became law.
iCivics en español! Student and class materials for this lesson are available in Spanish.
Pedagogy Tags
![Separation of Powers: What's for Lunch? - Checks & Balances Simulation & Lesson Plan 01 - Simulation Activity](/sites/default/files/styles/lesson_plan_rev_slider/public/2023-10/Separation%20of%20Powers-%20What%27s%20for%20Lunch%3F%20-%20Checks%20%26%20Balances%20Simulation%20%26%20Lesson%20Plan%2001.png?itok=StKSHaLW)
![Separation of Powers: What's for Lunch? - Checks & Balances Simulation & Lesson Plan 05 - Activity](/sites/default/files/styles/lesson_plan_rev_slider/public/2023-10/Separation%20of%20Powers-%20What%27s%20for%20Lunch%3F%20-%20Checks%20%26%20Balances%20Simulation%20%26%20Lesson%20Plan%2005.png?itok=ifrhb5Dn)
![Separation of Powers: What's for Lunch? - Checks & Balances Simulation & Lesson Plan 05 - Reading](/sites/default/files/styles/lesson_plan_rev_slider/public/2023-10/Separation%20of%20Powers-%20What%27s%20for%20Lunch%3F%20-%20Checks%20%26%20Balances%20Simulation%20%26%20Lesson%20Plan%2006.png?itok=gZqlOvSf)
![Separation of Powers: What's for Lunch? - Checks & Balances Simulation & Lesson Plan 01 - Simulation Activity - Spanish](/sites/default/files/styles/lesson_plan_rev_slider/public/2023-10/Separation%20of%20Powers-%20What%27s%20for%20Lunch%3F%20-%20Checks%20%26%20Balances%20Simulation%20%26%20Lesson%20Plan%2001%20Spanish.png?itok=0I5BiGvc)
![Separation of Powers: What's for Lunch? - Checks & Balances Simulation & Lesson Plan 05 - Activity - Spanish](/sites/default/files/styles/lesson_plan_rev_slider/public/2023-10/Separation%20of%20Powers-%20What%27s%20for%20Lunch%3F%20-%20Checks%20%26%20Balances%20Simulation%20%26%20Lesson%20Plan%2005%20Spanish.png?itok=PJL4YAAp)
![Separation of Powers: What's for Lunch? - Checks & Balances Simulation & Lesson Plan 05 - Reading - Spanish](/sites/default/files/styles/lesson_plan_rev_slider/public/2023-10/Separation%20of%20Powers-%20What%27s%20for%20Lunch%3F%20-%20Checks%20%26%20Balances%20Simulation%20%26%20Lesson%20Plan%2006%20Spanish.png?itok=DFzrK-rl)
I find the materials so engaging, relevant, and easy to understand – I now use iCivics as a central resource, and use the textbook as a supplemental tool. The games are invaluable for applying the concepts we learn in class. My seniors LOVE iCivics.
Lynna Landry , AP US History & Government / Economics Teacher and Department Chair, California