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Check out our complete list of US History Lessons.
The School House Rocks videos (most if not all the clips can be found on schooltube) are a useful and different way to review some major events and themes covered during a U.S. History course. (It also might be useful to show these just before a final exam or state assessment.) The clips are short and can be covered in a relatively short amount of class time.
Prior to watching, the students complete a viewing sheet to see how many students already know they answers. At the end of each segment, the class discusses the themes associated with each cartoon. The cartoons also can be show individually during the point of the year that you cover a particular topic.
The goal for each video is to share:

  • Pre-veiwing questions.
  • The video.
  • The lyrics.
  • The themes.

Below is the worksheet I give to the students along with a few “teacher” notes. Hopefully both are useful.
Question:

3-Ring Government

Pre-Viewing Questions (to test prior knowledge)
1. What are the federal legislative bodies?
2. What is the total number of Senators?
3. What is the total number of Representatives?
4. What are the 3 branches of government?
5. List the 3 branches of government and the function of each branch.

3-Ring Government

3-Ring Government

Going to have a three-ring circus someday
People will say it’s a fine one, son
Going to have a three-ring circus someday
People will come from miles around
Lions, tigers, acrobats, and jugglers and clowns galore
Tightrope walkers, pony riders, elephants, and so much more

Guess I got the idea right here at school
Felt like a fool when they called my name
Talking about the government and how it’s arranged
Divided in three like a circus
Ring one, Executive
Two is Legislative, that’s Congress
Ring three, Judiciary
See it’s kind of like my circus, circus

Step right up and visit ring number one
The show’s just begun, meet the President
I am here to see that the laws get done
The ringmaster of the government

On with the show!

Hurry, hurry, hurry to ring number two
See what they do in the Congress
Passing laws and juggling bills
Oh, it’s quite a thrill in the Congress

Focus your attention on ring number three
The Judiciary’s in the spotlight
The courts take the law and they tame the crimes
Balancing the wrongs with your rights

No one part can be
More powerful than any other is
Each controls the other you see
And that’s what we call checks and balances

Well, everybody’s act is part of the show
And no one’s job is more important
The audience is kind of like the country you know
Keeping and eye on their performance

Ring one, Executive
Two is Legislative, that’s Congress
Ring three, Judiciary
See it’s kind of like my circus, circus

Going to have a three-ring circus someday
People will say it’s a fine one, son
But until I get it, I’ll do my thing
With government, it’s got three rings

Themes:

Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
White House
Senate
House of Representatives
President