The Government & You Handouts

GY#1: "Levels of Government"

FEDERAL LEVEL

STATE LEVEL

LOCAL LEVEL

 

GY #2: "Federal and State Governments"

Federal Government

President

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Congress

State Government

Governor

Missouri Supreme Court

State Legislature

 

GY #3: "Local Government"

Organization of Local Government in St. Louis

VOTERS

BOARD OF ALDERMEN

28 members +a president

MAYOR

CITY DEPARTMENTS

Health

Police

Fire

Streets

Other

planning

parks

recreation

housing

sanitation

 

GY #4: "Responsibilities of Local Government"

Local government is responsible for many services including the following:

CARRYING OUT STATE LAWS

ADMINISTERING JUSTICE

RECORDING LEGAL DOCUMENTS

MANAGING THE STATE WELFARE SYSTEM

PROVIDING POLICE PROTECTION

PROVIDING FIRE PROTECTION

 

GY #5: "Levels of Government Quiz"

Below is a list of problems that might be solved by local, state, or federal governments. On the blank next to each law, indicate which level of government would most likely be responsible for the problem. Write F for federal, S for state, or L for local.

Problems:

1. Your mail is not being delivered on time.

2. The United States representative to the United Nations is retiring.

3. Sales tax on gasoline was increased.

4. Your next door neighbor is AWOL from the Navy.

5. The schools need more money to pay good teachers.

6. The vacant building next to your apartment is a fire hazard.

7. There have been three robberies on your street in the last month.

8. You received a counterfeit ten dollar bill as part of your change.

9. There is no curfew for young people in your community.

10. You need a copy of the property deed for your home.

11. You receive a parking ticket.

12. United States Troops are sent to the Middle East.

13. Your doctor is practicing without a license.

14. Your driver's license expired.

15. Your spouse filed for divorce.

 

GY #6: "Branches of Government"

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

President

Governor

Mayor

Carrying out laws

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The U.S. Congress

State legislatures

Boards of Aldermen

Making laws

JUDICIAL BRANCH

The courts

Determining what the law means

 

GY #7: "Branches of Government Quiz"

Below is a list of responsibilities and words related to the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. In the blank next to each responsibility or term below, show which branch of government goes with each one. Write L for legislative, E for executive, and J for judicial.

Responsibilities/Words:

1. Appointing judges

2. Carrying out laws

3. Court of Appeals

4. Declaring a law unconstitutional

5. House of Representatives

6. Interpreting the law

7. Interpreting treaties

8. Making laws

9. Overriding a veto by the president

10. Repealing laws

11. Senate

12. The president

13. The U.S. Department of Agriculture

14. U.S. Supreme Court

15. Vetoing a law

 

Community Resource Lesson

1. Introduce yourself to the students, and explain your role as it relates to federal, state, or local government. Describe some of the services that are provided by your agency or group.

2. Tell students that you will be talking with them about where in the government they can go for help.

3. Have students brainstorm other problems and help them identify ways of getting helpful information or assistance.

4. Close the lesson by emphasizing the importance of individual actions and responsibility in making the government work.

 

Family Involvement Activities

Possible activities for family involvement include the following:

1. One important government service is the "911" emergency number. Young children should all know what the number is, how to use it, and when to use it. Parents can use the attached handout to help their children understand these important concepts. Children can then decorate the 911 activity sheet and it can be posted near the telephone in the home.

2. Children won't understand the concept of laws, but they will understand rules because of the rules parents have set for them at home. Children need to know that rules are important because they keep us safe, they keep us healthy, and they help us to get along with one another. Parents can use the attached activity sheet to reinforce these important concepts. Children can decorate the activity sheet and post it in a prominent place in the home.

IMPORTANT RULES

DIAL 911 FOR HELP

DON'T CROSS THE STREET UNTIL YOU LOOK BOTH WAYS.

DON'T PUT ANYTHING BUT FOOD INTO YOUR MOUTH.

KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF.

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