Click here for a printable version of the Teacher's Guide for Grade Three

Arkansas Studies Curriculum

2007-2008

Teacher’s Guide
for
Grade Three

Vivianna Becomes an Arkansan

Ideas for Lesson Plans

Our Community (Culminating activities)

Emphasis

The emphasis in this lesson is on learning about the nature of the local government of the community and how the government directly effects daily life.

This lesson plan addresses the 2006 Student Learning Expectations .

Items Needed

A knowledge of the governmental structure of your local community

Expectations

At the conclusion of this lesson, students should be able to

1)   know the basic structure of their local government
2)   appreciate the nature of many of the governmental services in their community

Activities

One of the best ways to conclude this Unit is by involving students, now that they are all citizens, in researching their local government.  This would involve having students, either as a group or by some sort of representation, develop a chart of their local government.    Is there a written document that spells out the rules and regulations of the local government?  Who is the chief executive officer?  Is it the major of a city?  The County Judge for a county?  What is the local legislative body?  Is it a City Council?  A Quorum Court?  Are their local courts?  The class could develop an administrative chart that shows the different agencies of the local government such as law enforcement, fire protection, sanitation, road work, library, and hospitals.

Have the class, again as a whole or by representation, write letters to the officials of these governmental units to ask them to explain their role and how they were elected.  Or, invite selected officials to visit the class.  If it is possible to arrange a classroom session you might want to have the class prepare questions to ask before hand.  Follow-up with ‘thank you’ letters.

The class could also invite someone who serves within a local, state, or federal administrative agency to class to explain what their agency does, either by letter or in person.  It all likelihood one or more class members will have a family member who works in a local agency.  Again, if it is possible to arrange a classroom session you might want to have the class prepare a set of questions to ask before hand.  And follow-up with ‘thank you’ letters.

Culminating Exercise
As a final, culminating exercise have the class develop its own charter and governmental organization.

Previous Page

Curriculum Map
Sample Chapter
Order Now!

   For more information please contact Arkansas Stories, Arkansas Studies at aaimjb@aol.com