Branch Interaction Teacher Guide Branch Interaction
Facilitation Guide • AP Government & Politics
Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives
Explain how the interaction between the branches of government impacts the creation of domestic policy.
Define the "Power of the Purse" and its role in legislative leverage.
Analyze how the Judicial branch uses judicial review to check the other branches.
Preparation & Materials
Interaction Intersection Slides
Policy Relay Worksheets (1 per 3 students)
Constitutional Check Cards (1 set per class)
Timer / Stopwatch
Markers (Red, Blue, Black)
YouTube Video (Link in slides)
Pacing
5m Warm-up: Quickwrite
10m Video Analysis (4:52-7:06)
25m Main Activity: Policy Relay
5m Reflection & Wrap-up
1. Warm-up: The Power of the Purse (5 min)
Ask students to respond to the prompt: "If the President wants a new policy but Congress refuses to fund it, who has the real power?"
Teacher Note: Look for students mentioning appropriations, the budget process, and the check on executive power.
2. Video Analysis: Domestic Policy (10 min)
Play the video from 4:52 to 7:06 . This segment specifically focuses on the branch interactions and the case study of healthcare (ACA).
Discussion Questions:
How does the President's role differ from a goal to an actual policy?
Why does the video describe the branches as all getting "a piece of the pie"?
In the ACA example, what was the Judicial branch's specific contribution?
3. Main Activity: Policy Relay (25 min)
Split the class into three equal sections: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial . Within these sections, students can work in small clusters (triads) to pass a single sheet back and forth, or the whole section can work as one large group.
Phase 1: Executive
Draft a vague policy goal (e.g., "Help the environment," "Fix schools"). Must fit within 1 sentence.
Phase 2: Legislative
Transform the goal into a specific law . Must include 1 specific regulation and a funding amount ($) .
Phase 3: Judicial
Draw a Constitutional Check Card . Review the law against the card and rule: Uphold or Strike Down .
4. Reflection & Discussion (5 min)
Regroup and discuss: "How did the original goal change by the time it reached the Judicial branch? Was it still recognizable?"
© 2026 Lenny Education Resources • Advanced Placement® Government and Politics
Interaction Intersection Slides Branch Interaction
The Policy Making Nexus
Warm Up: Quickwrite
5 Minutes
"If the President wants a new policy but Congress refuses to fund it, who has the real power?"
Respond in your notebook
Defining Policy: Domestic Focus
TIMESTAMP: 4:52 - 7:06
Embedded media
EXECUTIVE
Agenda & Policy Goals
LEGISLATIVE
Legislation & "Power of the Purse"
JUDICIAL
Judicial Review & Validation
The Policy Relay
1
Executive
Draft a vague policy goal . What is the big dream for the country? Keep it to one sentence.
2
Legislative
Draft a specific law to meet the goal. Name the department responsible and set a funding amount .
3
Judicial
Compare the law to your Constitutional Check Card . Will you uphold it or strike it down?
Case Study: Research
Research a real-world federal domestic policy that was eventually struck down by the Supreme Court.
Name of the law/policy
Reason for Judicial Review
Constitutional clause used to strike it down
Policy Relay Worksheet Policy Relay
Domestic Policy Tracking Sheet
Name:
Date:
How to play: This sheet must travel through all three branches. Follow the instructions for your assigned branch in order. Be clear, but remember: the Executive starts with the vision, and the Legislative makes it real.
Phase 1: Executive Agenda
Establish the Goal
Draft a broad, vague policy objective for the nation (e.g., "End hunger," "Modernize energy").
Phase 2: Legislative Action
Drafting & Funding
Transform the vague goal above into a specific piece of legislation. Specify the agency in charge and the Power of the Purse (funding).
Proposed Law Title / Regulation:
Implementing Agency:
Annual Funding ($):
Phase 3: Judicial Review
Constitutional Check
Draw a Constitutional Check Card. Based on the limit provided on the card, is this law Constitutional?
Uphold
Strike Down
Justification (Reference your Card):
Branch Seal Here
Constitutional Check Cards Constitutional Check Cards
Judicial Review Guidelines for Policy Relay Simulation
The 10th Amendment
Constitutional Text:
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
Judicial Standard:
Does this policy regulate something traditional to the states (like local education or police power)? If yes, it may be Unconstitutional unless tied to a federal power.
The Commerce Clause
Constitutional Text:
"Congress shall have power... to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States..." (Article I, Section 8)
Judicial Standard:
Does the policy involve activities that cross state lines or significantly impact the national economy? If yes, it is likely Constitutional .
1st Amendment: Religion
Constitutional Text:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."
Judicial Standard:
Does the policy fund a religious activity or force individuals to violate their faith? If yes, it is likely Unconstitutional .
General Welfare Clause
Constitutional Text:
"The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes... to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare..."
Judicial Standard:
Does the law spend money to solve a national problem for the benefit of all citizens? This is a broad power and often makes policies Constitutional .
