Every day after school Miguel and Charles go over to Mya's house for their daily discussions about history class, enjoying their favorite snack, strawberry cupcakes. 

When the kids begin to eat, Charles starts to talk about their history lesson from class on the powers of government. 

"It's awesome that the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branch has so much power.  The legislative branch makes the law, the executive branch carries out the law and the judicial branch regulates and disciplines those who violate the laws.  For there to be balance, each branch uses checks and balances to ensure fairness in power. "

Listening to Charles, Mya wonders what it would be like to travel back in time to see how the government came to be. 

Suddenly the ground starts to shake, knocking down all the living room objects. Mya, Miguel, and Charles look scared and confused, wondering what's going on.

Then poof they disappear....

When the kids reappear they are in front of an unknown building. "Where are we?" Miguel says. "This doesn't look like Mya's house." says Charles. "It sure doesn't. Did we time travel?" says Mya.

When they start to walk around they see a man who looks like someone they've seen before.

It's Montesquieu, an enlightenment thinker who came up with the idea of separation of powers between the branches. Montesquieu believed that through the separation of power, no one branch can have complete control over the other. This theory has shaped the modern government into what it is today. 

As the kids start to approach Montesquieu he heads inside. They all follow. 

               Separation of powers

Legislative    Executive     Judicial   

~Power                 ~Security

     Democracy:       Power to the people

Inside, the group of kids see the three branches of government written out, Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. Montesquieu sees their interest and explains it. "These are the three branches that make up the government. The government exists to provide security to the people and maintain order. One of the main forms of government is Democracy. It's a system that allows the people to have a choice in who rules."