Date: April 4, 1998
Grade Level(s): 3
Subject(s)
Subject: Community Government/Problem Solving
Overview:
In this creative process of introducing community government and its function in the local community, students become active participants in the local government and handle a problem that has the entire community alarmed.
Objective:
The learner will identify the mayor/city council (city manager) form of government as the leadership of community government.
Procedure:
Lesson 1 :
After a teacher-lead study of the city-manager form of community government, the students will have a mayoral/city council election (six councilmen and one mayor).
Lesson 2:
After the election has taken place in the classroom, a city council meeting will convene. At this time the council will be presented with a problem to solve. The problem: Tammy the Tiger has escaped from the city zoo. The local citizens and animal rights groups are upset. The teacher, at this time, can assign positions to the students (those who were not elected to the city council). One City Manager, One City Clerk, two PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) members, One Zoo Director, One Zookeeper, One Vet, One Police Chief, Two TV Reporters, One Newspaper Reporter, Two Hunt Club Members, and Three Civic League Members.
Lesson 3:
The City Council listens actively to all sides of the issue as to how Tammy the Tiger can be "taken off the city streets".
The PETA members do not want Tammy harmed. The Civic League wants the citizens protected. All points of view should be addressed.
Lesson 4:
The problem of the Tiger is discussed at the council meeting. All present know that action must be swift. Students playing their roles will use problem solving skills learned in class and information learned about Community Government to solve the problem. Each group is given the opportunity to speak before the mayor and council as to how to safely solve this problem.
Lesson 5:
Resolution of Problem. All participants summarize their points of view before the City Council. The Council votes on the matter. It will be left to the City Council as to how the Police Chief and Zoo Director will handle capturing Tammy the Tiger.
These activities should give the class an active hands-on experience with community government.
Extensions:
Invite the mayor or city council member to speak to the class. Visit City Hall for a field trip.
Culminating Activity: Unit test on Community Government