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Welcome to Local Government! – Meet our community leaders – Mayors, council members, and more help our town – What is local government? – It’s the government closest to us, like city or town hall – Why local government matters – They make decisions that affect our daily life, like parks and schools – Examples of local government – City councils, school boards, and police departments | This slide introduces students to the concept of local government and its relevance to their everyday lives. Begin by discussing the roles of various community leaders, such as mayors and council members, and how they help to manage the town or city. Explain that local government is the administrative body for a small geographic area, such as a city, town, county, or district. Emphasize the importance of local government in making decisions that directly impact the community, such as maintaining public spaces, providing education, and ensuring safety. Provide examples of local government bodies, including city councils, school boards, and police departments, to illustrate the different aspects of local governance. Encourage students to think about how these entities play a role in their own community and to come up with questions or topics they would like to learn more about.

Branches of Local Government – Three branches explained – Executive, Legislative, Judicial branches work together. – Meet local government officials – Mayor, council members, judges are some officials. – Roles and responsibilities – They make laws, enforce them, and resolve disputes. – Importance of each branch – Each branch has a special job to keep our city running smoothly. | This slide introduces the concept of the three branches of local government to third-grade students. Begin by explaining that local government is like a team, where each branch has a different role to play. The executive branch (mayor and city workers) carries out laws, the legislative branch (city council) creates laws, and the judicial branch (courts and judges) makes decisions on disagreements. Introduce the students to the idea of elected officials like the mayor and council members, and appointed officials like judges. Discuss the specific responsibilities of each branch and how they work together to manage the city. Emphasize the importance of each branch in maintaining order and providing services. Encourage students to think of questions they would like to ask local officials.

Services Provided by Local Government – Local governments run schools – Schools are important for learning new things – They maintain parks and libraries – Parks for play and libraries for reading – Provide police and fire services – They keep us safe and help in emergencies – Manage trash and recycling – They keep our towns clean and green | This slide aims to educate third-grade students on the various services that their local government provides to the community. Local governments are responsible for running educational institutions like schools, where children learn. They also maintain recreational areas such as parks and provide resources for learning and research through libraries. Safety is a priority, with services like police and fire departments ready to respond to emergencies. Additionally, local governments handle essential sanitation services, including trash collection and recycling, to maintain a clean environment. Encourage students to think about how these services impact their daily lives and the importance of community support for these services.

How Local Government Impacts Our Community – Organizes community events – Think parades, festivals, and fairs – Maintains parks and public spaces – Playgrounds, libraries, and sports fields – Implements laws for safety – Traffic rules, fire safety, and school zones – Manages local projects – Road repairs, new playgrounds, and library updates | This slide aims to help third-grade students understand the role of local government in their daily lives. Local governments are responsible for organizing events that bring communities together, like parades and festivals. They also take care of public spaces such as parks, playgrounds, and libraries, making them safe and enjoyable for everyone. Laws and regulations are put in place by local governments to ensure public safety, including traffic rules and fire safety measures. Additionally, local governments oversee projects that improve the community, such as fixing roads and updating public facilities. Encourage students to think about their favorite park or community event and discuss how the local government played a role in it.

Who Makes the Decisions in Local Government? – City Council governs the city – City Council members are elected to make laws and budgets for the city. – Mayor’s Office leads the city – The Mayor is like the city’s president, making important decisions and leading. – Public Voting decides leaders – We choose our leaders through voting, which is both a right and a responsibility. – Town Hall Meetings for your voice – Town Hall Meetings let you speak up about what’s important in your community. | This slide introduces the key decision-makers in local government and the processes through which citizens can participate. The City Council is a group of elected officials who work on creating laws and managing the city’s budget. The Mayor’s Office is responsible for executing these laws and leading the city forward. Emphasize the importance of public voting and elections as a means for citizens to choose their leaders and have a say in government. Town Hall Meetings are an opportunity for community members to express their opinions and influence decisions. Encourage students to think about how they can be involved in their local government and the importance of their voice in shaping their community.

Our Responsibilities in Local Government – Follow laws and rules – Laws keep our community safe and orderly. – Engage in community service – Helping in a garden or cleaning a park. – Stay informed about local issues – Learn what’s happening in our town. – Vote in local elections – Your vote decides who makes big decisions. | This slide aims to educate third-grade students on their civic responsibilities within the local government. It’s crucial to instill the importance of following laws and rules for the well-being of the community. Encourage students to participate in community service by giving examples like community gardening or park cleanups. Highlight the importance of staying informed on local issues, perhaps through school or local newspapers. Lastly, discuss the significance of voting in elections, even though they’re too young to vote, they can understand the concept of choosing leaders. Use this slide to foster a sense of community and responsibility in the students.

Let’s Meet Our Local Leaders! – Talk with a City Council Member – Learn what a council member does for our town. – Explore a Mayor’s day – Discover the daily responsibilities of a mayor. – Ways to participate in local government – Find out how we can help our community. – Understanding local government roles | This slide is designed to introduce third-grade students to the concept of local government and its leaders. Start by discussing the role of a city council member and how they help make decisions for the town. Then, move on to describe a typical day for a mayor, highlighting their key responsibilities. Encourage students to think about ways they can get involved, such as participating in community events or school government. Lastly, ensure students understand the importance of each role in keeping the local government functioning. Activities can include role-playing interviews with a council member, creating a diary entry of a mayor’s day, or brainstorming ways to contribute to their community.

Class Activity: Create Your Own City! – Divide into groups, assign roles – Choose a city service to improve – Think about parks, libraries, or transportation – Discuss your improvement plan – How will your service help everyone? – Present your plan to the class | This activity is designed to teach students about the roles and responsibilities of local government by engaging them in a collaborative and creative project. Students will work in groups to understand different government roles and think critically about public services that could benefit their city. Encourage them to consider services like parks, libraries, and transportation, and how these services can be improved or newly implemented to help citizens. After discussion, each group will present their plan, practicing public speaking and sharing ideas. For the teacher: Prepare a list of government roles for students to choose from, guide the discussion with questions, and ensure each student participates in the presentation.