Understanding Balance of Power with a Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament!

After learning about the three branches of government this week,  many students began to ask: "Which branch is the most powerful?". We explored this question in more depth. Here are some of our responses:

*"Executive is the most powerful because they approve our laws and make sure they are followed."
*"Legislative is the most powerful because it has representatives for every state."
*"The judicial branch is the most powerful because they decide what the laws actually mean."
*"They are equal because they all have an important part.

Next, we had a "rock, paper scissors" tournament. You may be thinking....WHY?? During the tournament, we began to ask ourselves which item is the most powerful (rock, paper, or scissors). The students discussed how each had an advantage and a disadvantage. Although one item may have seemed more powerful because it was used often, that didn't mean it could actually beat out the other two. The tournament really helped students to understand the concept of checks and balances and how all of the branches are considered "equal".