Catch a Clue

What will we learn about in our current unit?

Relatives and ancestorsOceans and landforms

Countries and continentsGovernment and democracy

Catch a Clue

Relatives and ancestors

Oceans and landforms

Countries and continents

1. We will not focus on bodies of water.

4. We will learn about the functions of our government.

3. We will not focus on where people live.

2. We will not focus on the past.

Government and democracy

U. S. GovernmentKey Learning: Our United States Government is a DemocracyUnit Essential Question: What is government and how does it work?

Created by: Suzi Heter, North Side Elementary

Concept Map

What is government? – KWL

Word Warm-Up

Which words might you expect to find while learning about government?

equator constitution state latitude

continent local executive legislative

judicial climate national capitol

You are a Member of Many Communities!

Where do you live?

Where do you live?

Your planet:

Your country:

Your state:

Your county:

Your city:

What is government?

What is government?

National Government

State Government

Local GovernmentDauphin County,

Lower Paxton Township

What type of government does the United States have?

The United States has a form of government called a democracy.

What is a democracy?

A democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people

and exercised directly by them or by their

elected agents under a free electoral system.

A democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people

and exercised directly by them or by their

elected agents under a free electoral system.

Sharpen Your Word Skills

Noun: democracy, democracies

Noun: democrat, democrats

Adjective: democratic

Adverb: democratically

Democracy is the type of government practiced in the United States.

Mr. Smith is a registered democrat.

John F. Kennedy was a member of the democratic party.

We chose our new leader democratically.

What does a democracy mean to U.S. citizens?

What democracy means to U.S. Citizens.

How is our National Government Organized

The Government is divided into three branches:

The Legislative Branch

• What is the duty of the legislative branch of the U.S. government?

• What are its two parts?• How are members chosen?• How many senators and

representatives are sent from each state?

The Legislative Branch

• The Capitol Grounds A photo tour of the Capitol building grounds

• A View of the Capitol Building Outer views of the Capitol Building

• Inside the Capitol Building Photos of the inside of the Capitol Building

• Statuary Hall State Statues located in the Capitol Building

• Ben’s Guide: Branches of Government

The Executive Branch

• Who is in charge of the Executive branch of our government?

• Where does this leader live and work?• What is the function of the

Executive Branch?• What are four duties

of the President?

The Executive Branch

Video Tour of the Whitehouse

Record facts that you learn on the tour into your Whitehouse journal!

The Judicial Branch

• What are the leaders of the judicial branch called?

• What is the name of the highest court in the land?

• What is the function of the judicial system?

• How are the nine Supreme Court justices chosen?

The Judicial Branch

Photo tour of the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C.

Supreme Court Virtual Tour

How are State Governments Organized?

State Government

Executive Legislative Judicial

Leader: Governor

Departments of Health and Education

Senate and House of Representatives

or Assembly

State Supreme CourtLocal Courts

How are Local Governments Organized?

• County Governments• Board of Supervisors and Courts

• Local Governments• Town or city council• Mayor or City manager

Anticipation Guide

True or False?1. Government service is the work that people

do for the government in a community.2. One job of the health department is to offer

special programs for children in the summer.

3. Public schools and libraries are not the responsibility of community government.

4. Without the public works department a community might not have clean water.

5. People pay sales taxes on the land and buildings they own.

What Services do Local Governments Provide?

Community governments provide many services for its citizens.

Reading the Text

Group 1 – Safety and HealthGroup 2 – Public EducationGroup 3 – Parks and RecreationGroup 4 – Public WorksGroup 5 – Taxes Pay for Services

Directions: 1. Read the assigned section in your

group2. Prove whether or not the anticipation

guide statement is true or false. If false, correct the statement to make it true. If true, explain why the statement is true.

Anticipation Guide

True or False?1. Government service is the work that

people do for the government in a community.

Anticipation Guide

True or False?2. One job of the health department is

to offer special programs for children in the summer.

Anticipation Guide

True or False?3. Public schools and libraries are not

the responsibility of community government.

Anticipation Guide

True or False?4. Without the public works department

a community might not have clean water.

Anticipation Guide

True or False?5. People pay sales taxes on the land

and buildings they own.

What is Patriotism?

Patriotism is a feeling of pride that citizens have for their country.

What is a symbol?

The symbols of our country help us honor our heritage and think of the U.S. as a country of hope, freedom, and friendship.

Can you name any U.S. symbols?

The U.S. Flag

• What do the stars on the flag represent?

• What do the stripes on the flag represent?

• Why red, white, and blue?

• How many stars on the current US flag?

The Liberty Bell

• The Liberty Bell cracked the first time it was rung in 1753. A new bell was made but it, too, cracked!

• The Liberty Bell is on display near Independence Square in Phhiladelphia, PA

The Statue of Liberty

• Biggest birthday present the US ever received.

• Symbol of hope for freedom.

• France created the statue as a gift of friendship.

• Arrived in New York harbor on October 26, 1886

The Bald Eagle

• Represents freedom and power.

• Placed on Great Seal of our country in 1782.

What important documents helped to shape our government?

• Constitution• Checks and Balances• The Bill of Rights

How can citizens help to promote changes to the lives of others?

• Can you name any Americans who have worked to make life better for others?

• What risks have some people taken to secure freedom for themselves and others?

• Can you identify ordinary people who exemplify good citizenship?

Citizens Who Made a Difference

Citizen Born/Died Occupation Contribution

Thomas Jefferson 1743-1826 Third president, vice-president, secretary of state, member of congress, governor of VA

Worked hard for freedom of speech, religion, and the press

Harriet Tubman 1820-1913 Slave Risked her life to help more than 300 people escape from slavery

Helen Keller 1880-1968 Public speaker and author

Read and studies, using her sense of touch, and encouraged people not to give up when challenged

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

1929-1968 Baptist Minister Spoke out against unfair laws and called on people to work for civil rights peacefully

Get Logical

There were four guest speakers at the charity event. Each speaker was an elected official or was running for office. Each person spoke about his or her job and area. Use the clues to decide who works in each area of government.

Get Logical

Mayor

Governor

Manager

PresidentMr. Komisky

Ms. Penner

Ms. Consuelos

Mr. Olson

• Ms. Penner does not govern a state.• Mr. Olson does not govern a city or county. He was running

for an office that has a term of four years.• Mr. Komisky works for the city. He is not the mayor.• Ms. Consuelos is in charge of a state.

Review for the test

PA State Standards

Civics and Government

5.1.3.A Describe what government is.5.1.3.B Explain the purposes of rules and laws and why they are important.5.1.3.C Define the principles and ideals shaping government.5.1.3.E Identify documents of US government.5.1.3.G Describe the purpose of the United States Flag, The Pledge of Allegiance, and The National Anthem5.1.3.I Explain why government is necessary in the classroom, school, community, state and nation and the basic purposes of government in the United States.5.1.3.K Identify symbols and political holidays5.2.3.D Identify the importance of political leadership and public service in the school, community, state, and nation.5.3.3.A Identify the elected representative bodies responsible for making local, PA, and US laws.5.3.3.B Identify the role of the three branches of government.

History

8.3.3.A Identify contributions of individuals and groups to U.S. history.8.3.3.B Identify and describe primary documents, material artifacts, and historic sites important in U.S. history.

ISTE Standards

1. Basic Operations and Concepts4. Technology Communications Tools5. Technology Research Tools

Resources

Berson, M. (2005). Harcourt Horizons: People and Communities. Orlando, FL: Harcourt School Publishers.

Callella, T. (2002). Integrating Maps and Money. Huntington Beach, CA: Creative Teaching Press.

The American Government. United Learning (2003). Retrieved March 15, 2007, from unitedstreaming: http://www.unitedstreaming.com/

The Education Center, (2000). The White House. Exploring Social Studies, TEC 1483, 84-87.

This is Our Government. 100% Educational Videos (2003). Retrieved March 15, 2007, from unitedstreaming: http://www.unitedstreaming.com/

TLC Elementary School: Understanding Government. Discovery Channel School(2006). Retrieved March 15, 2007, from unitedstreaming: http://www.unitedstreaming.com/

U.S. Symbols. 100% Educational Videos (1998). Retrieved March 31, 2007, from unitedstreaming: http://www.unitedstreaming.com/