Lesson Plan #:AELP-GOV0002

Citizenship and the Constitution

An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan

Submitted by: Tana Carney Preciado
School or Affiliation: CVAVTS, El Reno, OK
Endorsed by: These lesson plans are the result of the work of the teachers who have attended the Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshop. CEC is a consortium of teacher from 14 western states dedicated to improving the quality of education in the rural, western, United States, and particularly the quality of math and science Education. CEC uses Big Sky Telegraph as the hub of their telecommunications network that allows the participating teachers to stay in contact with their trainers and peers that they have met at the Workshops.

Date: May 1994

Grade Level(s): 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Subject(s)

Overview: Students need to be informed citizens on a local, state and national level.

Purpose: To identify government officials and resources on a local, state and national level. To demonstrate an understanding of the government on a local, state and national level.

Objectives:

  1. To list government officials to a local, state and national level.
  2. To identify government agencies on a local, state and national level.
  3. To list the 2 houses of Congress.
  4. To name the 3 branches of the United States government.
  5. To name the 3 departments represented in the President's cabinet.
  6. To determine what is a presidential veto.
  7. To name the 2 major political parties in the United States.
  8. To describe an amendment.
  9. To identify federalism.
  10. To determine who makes the laws of a state.
Resources/Materials:
local telephone directory
US Government/ Citizenship textbook.

Activities and Procedures:

  1. Read and discuss government textbook/citizenship textbook with students. Create an awareness of how the government works and the officials at the local, state and national level.
  2. Discuss the government agency services provided at the local, county, state and national levels. Have a local telephone directory available as a resource material.

Activity 1: Write the names of government officials

  1. President
  2. Vice-President
  3. United States Senators from your state
  4. Member of the United States House of Representatives from your congressional district
  5. Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court
  6. Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
  7. United States Secretary of State
  8. Governor of your state
  9. Mayor city manager of your municipality
  10. Name the 3 branches of the United States Government
  11. Who elects the President
  12. Name the 3 departments represented in the President's Cabinet
  13. What is a presidential veto
  14. Name the 2 house of Congress
  15. List the qualifications for a United States Senator
  16. Name the 3 United States Courts
  17. Who heads the Supreme Court
  18. Name the 2 major political parties in the United States
  19. What is an amendment
  20. What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called
  21. How old must a citizen be to vote
  22. What is federalism
  23. Who makes the laws of a state

Activity 2: Study the following chart of federal, state, county and local governmental agencies. Then write the agency that you would contact to help you solve the problems listed below.

Federal:

Internal Revenue Service
Post Office
Social Security Administration
State:
Division of Motor Vehicles
Environmental Protection Agency
County:
Commissioner of Voter Registration
Department of Human Services
Local:
Police Department
Fire Department
Tax Assessor
Board of Education

Questions:

  1. Your parents have added a room to your home and want to protest an increase in their property tax.
  2. You have moved to a new town and need to enroll in school.
  3. Your brother has reached driving age and wants to apply for a driver's license.
  4. Your mother wants to know if she can deduct the cost of home insulation from her income tax.
  5. You have obtained your first job and need a social security number.
  6. You need advice about how to dispose of flammable materials.
  7. Your new bicycle is stolen.
  8. Heavy smoke and fumes from a chemical factory are polluting your neighborhood.
  9. You have moved and need to have your mail forwarded to your new address.
  10. Your sister has turned 18 and wants to register to vote.
  11. Your friend has home and family problems and wants some help.