OUR GOVERNMENT

2.04 Evaluate rules and laws and suggest appropriate consequences for noncompliance.

1.03 Analyze and evaluate the effects of responsible citizenship in the school, community, and other social environments.

“The government is us: we are the government; you and I.”

Theodore Roosevelt said this in a speech, in 1902

What do you think he meant by this?

Let’s take a look at some

vocabulary!

governmentA group of citizens that runs a community, state or country.

communityA group of people

who live or work together in the

same place.

taxMoney paid to the government that is used to pay for services.

patriotismA feeling of pride people have for their country.

vote A choice that gets counted.

How do we all get along in a Community?

For a community to work everyone has to do their

part or role.

Look at the people below. How do they play their

role in a community?

The people in communities are called citizens. Parents,

teachers, police officers, doctors and you, are all citizens in communities.

To keep order and to keep people safe, each community has a government.

Let’s explore some more vocabulary!

lawA rule that people in a community must follow.

A government makes laws to tell citizens what to do and what not to do. Laws are there to protect citizens and communities.

consequence

Something that happens because of what a person

does.

All the people in a community must obey the same laws. A consequence happens when someone breaks a law. They might get a ticket, a fine, or jail.

Let’s Review!

1. What do governments do for the community?

2. What are some consequences of breaking laws?

3. Who is a citizen?4. How does a government pay for

services?