Levels of Government
This level of government runs our city or town and provides things like police, libraries, and local parks.
What is the local government?
Being honest and telling the truth is one example of what kind of trait?
What is Truthfulness or honesty?
This public service helps keep people safe by enforcing laws and responding to emergencies.
What is the police (or fire department, emergency services)?
One thing citizens do to help their community is pick up litter, volunteer, or help a neighbor. This is called what?
What is community service?
This level of government makes laws that apply to the whole state of Texas and manages the state’s schools and highways.
What is the State government?
This means treating people fairly and giving everyone the same chances
What is equality or fairness?
Name a public service that helps students learn in our community.
What is public school?
Serving on a jury is an example of which type of civic action: a duty, a right, or a privilege?
Serving on a jury is a duty (a required civic responsibility for citizens called to serve).
This level of government makes national laws, protects the country, and handles things like mail and national parks.
What is the national government?
Give two examples of respectful behavior toward others that show good citizenship.
Answers may vary. Ex: Listening when others speak; using polite words; taking turns; helping a classmate; showing respect for others’ property.
What level of government provides water and trash pickup?
What is the local government?
What is something you can do so show civic responsibility?
Obeying laws; serving and improving the community (volunteering); serving on a jury; voting.
Name one person you might find in local government (for example: mayor, city council member). How is this person usually chosen?
These members in local government are chosen through an elections process.
The class wants to decide on a game to play. Everyone writes their choice and the class counts votes to pick the game. What concept of citizenship is being used here? Name it and briefly explain.
What is voting? (group decision making). Explanation: People choose by voting and accept the group's decision.
What level of government provides drivers licenses and state highways?
What is the state government?
Why is it important for people to learn about issues before they vote?
Answers may vary. Examples: o make a smart choice; to know what each option will do; to choose what is best for the community.
Describe the basic structure of government across the three levels (local, state, nation) in one or two sentences — include who leads each level (example: mayor, governor, president) and one job for each.
Answers may vary but can be: Local government is led by a mayor or city council who run city services (police, parks); state government is led by a governor and state legislature who make state laws and manage state services (schools, highways); national government is led by the president and Congress who make national laws and handle national services (defense, mail).
Explain the phrase "consent of the governed" in kid-friendly language (one or two sentences).
Example answer: "Consent of the governed" means that leaders get their power because the people agree to be governed by them — usually by voting for them.
What level of government provides post offices and national parks?
What is the national government?