Citizenship and the Constitution
Author: Tana Carney Preciado; CVAVTS, El Reno, OK
Grade Level/Subject: 7-12 / citizenship and the constitution.
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.
Activites 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 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
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.
*This lesson plan was found and adapted from the web site Lesson Plans and Resources for Social Studies [http://www.csun.edu/~hcedu013/plans.html]
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