created by Deb Genet, CAIU DHH Program, 2008-2009

The Structure of Government

Key Concept: Our government is a democracy of the people, by the people, and for the people.

created by Deb Genet, CAIU DHH Program, 2008-2009

Government

With your group, brainstorm words or draw pictures that come to mind when you think of the word “Government”.

created by Deb Genet, CAIU DHH Program, 2008-2009

Unit Essential Question:What is government and how does it work?

created by Deb Genet, CAIU DHH Program, 2008-2009

Concept: What is the purpose of government?

Lesson Essential Question 1: Why do we have governing bodies and what do they do for us?

In your book, read pages 282-284

Click around town P. 293 WebQuest: Government Services

On 3 pieces of chart paper, write/draw 3 of the most important things government does. Be ready to share your ideas.

*packet pages

created by Deb Genet, CAIU DHH Program, 2008-2009

Lesson Essential Question 2: What principles and documents helped shape our government system?

Think back - why did Europeans immigrate to the New World?Listen to pp. 6-9 How the U.S. Government WorksRead page 285 in your book. Watch Schoolhouse Rock – The ConstitutionPacket page, “The Constitution”

created by Deb Genet, CAIU DHH Program, 2008-2009

Let’s do a FrayerIn your packet, turn to the “Government” Frayer.

created by Deb Genet, CAIU DHH Program, 2008-2009

Concept: Federal, State and Local Government

Lesson Essential Question 3: What are the responsibilities of local, state and federal government?

Federal/National The United State of America

StatePennsylvania

LocalHarrisburg

Newville

created by Deb Genet, CAIU DHH Program, 2008-2009

Match the place and power with the correct level of government

National/Federal

State

Local

cities and counties

Pennsylvania

United States

city police and firefighters

state lands and resources

national defense

county roads and bridges

printing money

relations with other countries

created by Deb Genet, CAIU DHH Program, 2008-2009

Concept: Branches of government

Lesson Essential Question 4: How would you identify the three branches of government and their powers?

created by Deb Genet, CAIU DHH Program, 2008-2009

The Legislative BranchThis branch makes laws.

Federal level – Congress; U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives

State level – General Assembly; State Senators, State Representatives

Local level – City Council

created by Deb Genet, CAIU DHH Program, 2008-2009

The Executive BranchThis branch carries out the laws, signs or vetoes laws, commands

military forces, makes a budget.

Federal level – President Barack Obama

State level – Governor Edward G. Rendell

Local level – Mayor, City Manager

created by Deb Genet, CAIU DHH Program, 2008-2009

The Judicial BranchThis branch has the courts. It decides what a law means. It decides if a person has broken the law. It decides how to punish people who do not obey laws.

Federal level – U.S. Supreme Court

State level – PA State Court

Local level – District Justices/Magistrates

created by Deb Genet, CAIU DHH Program, 2008-2009

Let’s see what you know…In your packet, do the worksheet “The Branches of Government”

created by Deb Genet, CAIU DHH Program, 2008-2009

Checks and BalancesAll three branches are equal – no one branch is more powerful than another.

Executive

Legislative

Judicial

created by Deb Genet, CAIU DHH Program, 2008-2009

Lesson Essential Question 5: How do the branches of government work together to make and pass a bill?

1 – House of Representatives/City Council (skip to #3)

2 - Senate 3 – The President/Governor/Mayor

created by Deb Genet, CAIU DHH Program, 2008-2009

Final Project We will be making an ABC Book of

Government. Brainstorm government related words a-z. Write the word on the corresponding page,

glue on an image of the word, write a sentence using the word.

created by Deb Genet, CAIU DHH Program, 2008-2009

It’s time to answer the Unit Essential Question…

What is government and how does it work?