United States Government

A fourth grade lesson developed by Velma Jo Collier

Objectives: The purpose of this lesson is to help students gain a better understanding of government. After studying about the branches of government, levels of government, citizenship and responsibility, and how laws are made, students will complete My Democracy Project. The project takes three days:

· How does Government affect me?

· President for a day!

· Inside the voting booth.

Procedures: Read the following directions carefully, then click on the Democracy Project site and begin.

Day 1- How Government Affects Me - click on Capital and follow the arrows. When you have read and completed Capital go back to Town and click on each building. Be sure to read all the information. Pay close attention to the information about schools. Click on the site now. How Government Affects Me

Day 2 - Go to President for a Day. You will now fill out a job application for the job of President of the United States of America. Be sure to read about your job description before filling out the application. After you have completed your application, click on an activity and see what choices you have to make as you run the country. You are finished with this activity when the newspaper congratulates you on your first successful day in office. Now click on President for a Day.

Day 3- Inside the Voting Booth has three parts. The first one is called, What a Difference One Vote Makes. Click this one on and read about some interesting facts and learn why each vote is important. Now Step into a Voting Time Machine. Learn about the history of voting in the United States. Think about how things have changed over time. When you have completed your time travel go to the bottom of your screen and click on Cast Your Vote. You will now fill out a Future Voter’s Card and answer questions about issues that you think are important. Just follow the arrows to the end. When you are done click on Get Your Future Voter Card and print your voter’s card. Turn your card into your teacher. Click on Inside the Voting Booth now.

Assessment:

Students will participate in a group discussion and share information that they have learned about government. They will then compare their Future Voter’s Card and discuss the concept of Point of View and how we all have different opinions about important government issues.