๐ What is Local Government?
Local government is like the team that takes care of your town or city. Just like your family has rules and responsibilities at home, local governments have rules and responsibilities for the whole community. They make sure everything runs smoothly where you live!
๐ซ Objectives
- ๐ฏ Students will be able to define local government.
- ๐๏ธ Students will be able to identify the main functions of local government.
- ๐ค Students will understand the importance of local government in their community.
๐๏ธ Materials
- ๐บ๏ธ Map of your local area.
- ๐ฐ Newspaper or online news source about local events.
- ๐ Worksheets with questions about local government.
โ๏ธ Warm-up (5 mins)
Ask students: What are some things that make our town/city a good place to live? (e.g., parks, schools, libraries). Who do you think is in charge of making sure these things are taken care of?
๐๏ธ Main Instruction
What Does Local Government Do?
- ๐๏ธ Garbage Collection: They make sure the trash is picked up so our neighborhoods stay clean.
- ๐๏ธ Parks and Recreation: They create and maintain parks, playgrounds, and sports fields for everyone to enjoy.
- ๐ Libraries: They run libraries where you can borrow books, use computers, and attend fun programs.
- ๐ฃ๏ธ Roads and Transportation: They build and fix roads, and sometimes run public transportation like buses.
- ๐ฎ Police and Fire Departments: They keep us safe by responding to emergencies and protecting our community.
- ๐ซ Schools: While schools can be managed at different levels, local governments often support education in various ways.
๐ณ๏ธ Who Works in Local Government?
Local government has different people with different jobs:
- ๐งโ๐ผ Mayor: The leader of the city or town.
- ๐๏ธ City Council or Town Board: A group of people who make laws and decisions for the community.
- ๐ท Other Workers: Many people work to provide services, like teachers, police officers, firefighters, and librarians.
โ๏ธ Assessment
True or False:
- The mayor is the leader of the city or town. (True)
- Local government does not help with garbage collection. (False)
- Parks are not part of local government responsibilities. (False)
Discussion Questions:
- ๐ค Why is it important to have local government?
- ๐ก What is one thing you would change or improve in your town or city if you were the mayor?