LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Comparing Governments - Local, State, and National

This lesson on comparing governments will focus on looking at the similarities and differences between local, state, and federal governments in North Carolina and the United States. It is suggested that this lesson be followed by "Comparing Governments - International" by Tami Weaver and Wendy Pineda, also found on the Learn NC website.

This plan could be easily adapted for eighth grade or high school ESL students.

A lesson plan for grade 5 English Language Arts, English Language Development, and Social Studies

By Tami Weaver and Wendy Pineda

About the authors

Tami Weaver is a fifth grade teacher at Merrick Moore Elementary School in Durham, NC. She has been teaching for 19 years.

Wendy Pineda is an ESL Teacher at Merrick Moore Elementary School in Durham, NC. She has been teaching for 8 years.

Learn more

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  • A'Planting We Will Go: This lesson is based on the book, The Tiny Seed, by Eric Carle. This story will be used to introduce the children to the concept that seeds change and grow into plants when conditions in the environment including temperature, light, water and soil are appropriate. Children will learn that plants produce seeds that can become new plants. Through extended activities, the children will experience first-hand the germination of seeds. They will become familiar with the parts of a plant and learn how each part works to produce a healthy plant.
  • Comparing Governments - International: This lesson focuses on comparing and contrasting national governments in North America and/or Central America. It is the second in a sequence, the first being "Comparing Governments - Local, State, and National" by Tami Weaver and Wendy Pineda, also on the Learn NC website.

    This plan could be easily adapted for eighth grade or high school ESL students.

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

  • identify the three branches of government and explain how they function.
  • compare similarities and differences between local, state, and federal government.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

3-5 days

Materials/resources

  • Books on local, state, and national governments.
  • index cards, markers
  • chart paper
  • overhead projector
  • transparencies, markers for transparenciesphotocopies of flowchart
  • How the Government Works by Syl Sobel

Technology resources

computer lab with internet connections
LCD projector
TV
VCR

Pre-activities

Review and build on background knowledge of the branches of government. Review and discuss name of local(city), state, and national government.

Reserve the computer lab for class research.

Activities

  1. Read the book, How the Government Works by Syl Sobel. As a whole class complete the first level of the flow chart on an overhead projector to review the branches of government. Government
  2. Go to the computer lab to research the functions of the different branches of the government using Ben’s Guide to the US Government for Kids or any of the other websites listed below. The students may take notes and complete the flow chart.
  3. Have students watch a video on the three branches of government. One video you may choose is from the School House Rock company called America Rock.
  4. As a whole group, on chart paper or on an overhead projector, create a tri-venn diagram to compare the similarities and differences between the local, state, and national governments.
  5. Have students create and play a Concentration game to review names and functions of each branch and official titles at each level. Ex. One card would say Legislative Branch and the matching card would be The branch that makes the laws. Or one card would say mayor and the matching card would say leader of the local government.

Assessment

The students will take a quiz based on the information on the concentration cards

Supplemental information

The state adopted fifth grade Social Studies book.

Related websites

Ben’s Guide to the US Government for Kids is a great resource that deals with the different branches of government but is written at different reading levels.

School House Rock has a song that explains about the three branches of government called the Three Ring Government Way.

The White House has information on the government and the White House.

The Three Branches of Government - Think Quest is another website on the branches of government appropriate for children.

Modifications

Have a bilingual dictionary or picture dictionary for the students to look up vocabulary words that they do not understand.

Have students do a vocabulary practice sheet before the lesson with the ESL teacher. One possible activity is a folding activity as shown in The Big Book of Books and Activities: An Illustrated Guide for Teacher, Parents, and Anyone Who Works With Kids! by Dinah Zike.

Let students work in pairs and give them extra time to finish.

Alternative assessments

Create their own personal picture dictionary using the vocabulary words.

The ESL students will work with a partner to complete the flowchart

The students will take the quiz QUIZ but will be able to use the concentration cards that they have practiced with to take the quiz.

Critical vocabulary

legislative, executive, judicial, local, state, national, mayor, governor, president

Comments

This lesson plan was developed during the English Language Development Standard Course of Study lesson planning institutes hosted by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and LEARN NC, June and July, 2004. It includes specific strategies, instructional modifications, and alternative assessments which make this lesson accessible to limited English proficient students. Please note that this lesson has been aligned with the goals and objectives of the N.C. English Language Development standards.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 5

  • Goal 2: The learner will analyze political and social institutions in North America and examine how these institutions respond to human needs, structure society, and influence behavior.
    • Objective 2.02: Describe the similarities and differences among the local, state, and national levels of government in the United States and explain their legislative, executive, and judicial functions.

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 5

  • Goal 1: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
    • Objective 1.02: Select key vocabulary critical to the text and apply appropriate meanings as necessary for comprehension.
    • Objective 1.03: Increase reading and writing vocabulary through:
      • wide reading.
      • word study.
      • word reference materials.
      • content area study.
      • writing process elements.
      • writing as a tool.
      • debate.
      • discussions.
      • seminars.
      • examining the author's craft.
    • Objective 1.04: Use word reference materials (e.g., glossary, dictionary, thesaurus, on-line reference tools) to identify and comprehend unknown words.

English Language Development (2005)

Grade 5

  • Goal 1. Listening: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
    • Objective NH 1.02: Understand and follow one-step and two-step directions and instructions with modeling and prompting when spoken slowly and distinctly.
  • Goal 3. Reading: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
    • Objective NH 3.05: Demonstrate comprehension of a story in simple or patterned text through graphic organizers, pictures or responding to simple questions or statements.