State and Local Government

I. Unit Goals:
1. Students understand power, authority, and governance as it relates to their State and
Local Governments.
2. Students comprehend how change and continuity has shaped the Government we have
today.
3. Students grasp how they fit into the political landscape in relation to the Pennsylvania
State Government and their local governments and the impact their civic ideals and
practices have on that branch of government.
4. Students discover how the Pennsylvania State Government works through reading its
Constitution.
5. Students describe how people create places that reflect culture, human
needs, current values and ideals, and government policies.
6. Students realize the importance of history and civics and how it will affect them for the
rest of their lives and that knowledge of both can help them chart a better path for
themselves individually and our country.

II. Unit Objectives:

Students will be able to…

A. Cognitive:
1. Explain the source and nature of state and local governmental power
2. Distinguish reserved powers from federal powers
3. Identify types of powers that are held at the state or local level
4. Examine the differences between statewide laws and local ordinances/laws.
5. Explain the duties of various local officials
6. Describe the essential characteristics of state government.
7. Identify the purpose of a state’s constitution.
8. Explain the impact of state agencies and commissions on citizens’ lives and
property.
9. Identify the role of initiatives and referenda in the state lawmaking process.
10. Describe the role of state governments in providing services and regulating activity.
11. Examine the history, content, and significance of the first Pennsylvanian
constitution.
12. Describe the structure, powers, and authority of the state executive branch
13. Identify the source of a governor’s power
14. Decide which of a governor’s powers is best used in specific situations.
 15. Describe how a governor can use executive power to maintain order and safety in
the state
16. Evaluate the role of state government in issues related to public safety and
maintaining order
17. Identify counties as an extension of state government.
18. Define Dillon’s Rule and Home Rule.
19. Identify the organizational structures and duties of county government, including
the names and functions of county officials.
20. Describe the types of services counties provide.
21. Compare counties’ revenue sources.
22. Explain the effect of unfunded mandates on counties.
23. Understand that multiple points of view exist in a society
24. Participate in community democratic decision-making
25. Asses the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy
26. Identify issues in their community
27. Interpret the interrelation between various issues in the community
28. Conduct neighborhood interviews to validate classroom perceptions
29. Classify issues according to issue subject
30. Define federalism
31. Examine the structure of their local government
32. Determine how to locate the names and contact information of their elected
officials
33. Understand the powers of various government offices and how each level of
government affects a community issue differently
34. Deduct how citizens and government can work together to address issues

B. Skill:
1. Read and comprehend information from their reading packet.
2. Analyze different graphs and maps related to cities, towns, etc.
3. Work together in small groups to help better communication skills.
4. Examine historical images and describe the different parts of it.
5. Orally communicate with both fellow classmates and teacher questions or answers
to questions in a respectful manner.
6. Use the computer and internet to discover the requested information.
7. Separate fact from opinion while reading from multiple sources.

C. Affective:
1. Appreciate what many of our fellow Americans had to go through to both get and
keep the rights we have today.
2. Empathize with people who try to get things done in government but are
stonewalled by just enough opposition.
3. Listen to others viewpoints and understand where they might be coming from.
4. Assist fellow classmates who need help with the material.
 5. Become more involved in their local community.

III. Unit Content:

1. Introduction to State and Local Government
2. Pennsylvania Political History
3. The State Governor
4. The Capable County
5. You and the Community
6. Community Issues
7. Who Represents You?
 Introduction to State and Local Government
Standards:
NCSS:

 Theme 2: Time, Continuity and Change

 Theme 3: People, Places and Environments
 Theme 6: Power Authority and Governance
 Theme 10: Civic Ideals and Practices

PA SAS:

 5.1.9.: A, B, D, F
 5.2.9.: B
 5.3.9. E

Objectives:
Students will be able to…

1. Explain the source and nature of state and local governmental power
2. Distinguish reserved powers from federal powers
3. Identify types of powers that are held at the state or local level
4. Examine the differences between statewide laws and local ordinances/laws.
5. Explain the duties of various local officials
6. Read and comprehend information from their reading packet.
7. Assist fellow classmates who need help with the material.

Materials:
 Vocab Worksheet
 PowerPoint with answers
 Reading on State Power from iCivics

Subject Matter:
 States powers, federalism, counties, cities, towns

Procedure:
A. Set:
I. Current Events: Students are encouraged to bring in currents events happening in both the
United States and around the world and share them at the beginning of class. Students who
take part in this can give up to 3 different current events for a bonus point each.

II. Essential Question: What are some of the differences in powers between the federal
government and the state governments?
 B. Reading:
I. Students will read about state government compared to federal government from iCivics.
II. The reading will allow them to complete accompanying worksheets.

C. Reading:
I. Students will use their reading packet and read the State Power: Got A Reservation? Pages
in the packet from iCivics.

D. PowerPoint Mini-Quiz:
I. After the reading the students will do a little mini quiz as a class to see if they understand
the material they read.
II. When an answer is false encouraging students to explain why before revealing it.

E. Activity Worsheets:
I. First have students complete the strike it activity in pairs or individually.
II. Use the PowerPoint again to go over the correct answers for this activity.
III. Second give students the State/Local activity and have the students complete that
individually or in pairs.
IV. Review the answers as a class for that activity.
V. Assign the cartoon story strip activity that if there is time they may start but is due
tomorrow if they don’t finish.

F. Close:
I. Essential Question: What are some of the differences in powers between the federal
government and the state governments?

Assignments:
 Cartoon story strip activity

Assessment:
 Teacher will informally assess students through reviewing several in class activities.
 Teacher will formally assess students knowledge of state powers through the completion of the
cartoon story strip activity.

Reflection:
 Introduction to State and Local Government
Standards:
NCSS:

 Theme 2: Time, Continuity and Change

 Theme 6: Power Authority and Governance
 Theme 10: Civic Ideals and Practices

PA SAS:

 5.1.9.
 5.2.9.
 5.3.9.

Objectives:
Students will be able to…

1.

Materials:


Subject Matter:


Procedure:
A. Set:
I. Current Events: Students are encouraged to bring in currents events happening in both the
United States and around the world and share them at the beginning of class. Students who
take part in this can give up to 3 different current events for a bonus point each.

II. Essential Question:

B. Video:
I.
C. PowerPoint:
I.
D. Close:
I. Essential Question:

Assignments:


Assessment:
 Teacher will
  Teacher will

Reflection:
 Introduction to State and Local Government
Standards:
NCSS:

 Theme 2: Time, Continuity and Change

 Theme 6: Power Authority and Governance
 Theme 10: Civic Ideals and Practices

PA SAS:

 5.1.9.
 5.2.9.
 5.3.9.

Objectives:
Students will be able to…

1.

Materials:


Subject Matter:


Procedure:
A. Set:
I. Current Events: Students are encouraged to bring in currents events happening in both the
United States and around the world and share them at the beginning of class. Students who
take part in this can give up to 3 different current events for a bonus point each.

II. Essential Question:

B. Video:
I.
C. PowerPoint:
I.
D. Close:
I. Essential Question:

Assignments:


Assessment:
 Teacher will
  Teacher will

Reflection:
 Introduction to State and Local Government
Standards:
NCSS:

 Theme 2: Time, Continuity and Change

 Theme 6: Power Authority and Governance
 Theme 10: Civic Ideals and Practices

PA SAS:

 5.1.9.
 5.2.9.
 5.3.9.

Objectives:
Students will be able to…

1.

Materials:


Subject Matter:


Procedure:
A. Set:
I. Current Events: Students are encouraged to bring in currents events happening in both the
United States and around the world and share them at the beginning of class. Students who
take part in this can give up to 3 different current events for a bonus point each.

II. Essential Question:

B. Video:
I.
C. PowerPoint:
I.
D. Close:
I. Essential Question:

Assignments:


Assessment:
 Teacher will
  Teacher will

Reflection:
 Introduction to State and Local Government
Standards:
NCSS:

 Theme 2: Time, Continuity and Change

 Theme 6: Power Authority and Governance
 Theme 10: Civic Ideals and Practices

PA SAS:

 5.1.9.
 5.2.9.
 5.3.9.

Objectives:
Students will be able to…

1.

Materials:


Subject Matter:


Procedure:
A. Set:
I. Current Events: Students are encouraged to bring in currents events happening in both the
United States and around the world and share them at the beginning of class. Students who
take part in this can give up to 3 different current events for a bonus point each.

II. Essential Question:

B. Video:
I.
C. PowerPoint:
I.
D. Close:
I. Essential Question:

Assignments:


Assessment:
 Teacher will
  Teacher will

Reflection:
 Introduction to State and Local Government
Standards:
NCSS:

 Theme 2: Time, Continuity and Change

 Theme 6: Power Authority and Governance
 Theme 10: Civic Ideals and Practices

PA SAS:

 5.1.9.
 5.2.9.
 5.3.9.

Objectives:
Students will be able to…

1.

Materials:


Subject Matter:


Procedure:
A. Set:
I. Current Events: Students are encouraged to bring in currents events happening in both the
United States and around the world and share them at the beginning of class. Students who
take part in this can give up to 3 different current events for a bonus point each.

II. Essential Question:

B. Video:
I.
C. PowerPoint:
I.
D. Close:
I. Essential Question:

Assignments:


Assessment:
 Teacher will
  Teacher will

Reflection:
 Who Represents You?
Standards:
NCSS:

 Theme 2: Time, Continuity and Change

 Theme 6: Power Authority and Governance
 Theme 10: Civic Ideals and Practices

PA SAS:

 5.1.9.
 5.2.9.
 5.3.9.

Objectives:
Students will be able to…

1.

Materials:


Subject Matter:


Procedure:
A. Set:
I. Current Events: Students are encouraged to bring in currents events happening in both the
United States and around the world and share them at the beginning of class. Students who
take part in this can give up to 3 different current events for a bonus point each.

II. Essential Question:

B. Video:
I.
C. PowerPoint:
I.
D. Close:
I. Essential Question:

Assignments:


Assessment:
 Teacher will
  Teacher will

Reflection:
 Introduction to State and Local Government
Standards:
NCSS:

 Theme 2: Time, Continuity and Change

 Theme 6: Power Authority and Governance
 Theme 10: Civic Ideals and Practices

PA SAS:

 5.1.9.
 5.2.9.
 5.3.9.

Objectives:
Students will be able to…

1.

Materials:


Subject Matter:


Procedure:
A. Set:
I. Current Events: Students are encouraged to bring in currents events happening in both the
United States and around the world and share them at the beginning of class. Students who
take part in this can give up to 3 different current events for a bonus point each.

II. Essential Question:

B. Video:
I.
C. PowerPoint:
I.
D. Close:
I. Essential Question:

Assignments:


Assessment:
 Teacher will
  Teacher will

Reflection:
 Introduction to State and Local Government
Standards:
NCSS:

 Theme 2: Time, Continuity and Change

 Theme 6: Power Authority and Governance
 Theme 10: Civic Ideals and Practices

PA SAS:

 5.1.9.
 5.2.9.
 5.3.9.

Objectives:
Students will be able to…

1.

Materials:


Subject Matter:


Procedure:
A. Set:
I. Current Events: Students are encouraged to bring in currents events happening in both the
United States and around the world and share them at the beginning of class. Students who
take part in this can give up to 3 different current events for a bonus point each.

II. Essential Question:

B. Video:
I.
C. PowerPoint:
I.
D. Close:
I. Essential Question:

Assignments:


Assessment:
 Teacher will
  Teacher will

Reflection:
 Introduction to State and Local Government
Standards:
NCSS:

 Theme 2: Time, Continuity and Change

 Theme 6: Power Authority and Governance
 Theme 10: Civic Ideals and Practices

PA SAS:

 5.1.9.
 5.2.9.
 5.3.9.

Objectives:
Students will be able to…

1.

Materials:


Subject Matter:


Procedure:
A. Set:
I. Current Events: Students are encouraged to bring in currents events happening in both the
United States and around the world and share them at the beginning of class. Students who
take part in this can give up to 3 different current events for a bonus point each.

II. Essential Question:

B. Video:
I.
C. PowerPoint:
I.
D. Close:
I. Essential Question:

Assignments:


Assessment:
 Teacher will
  Teacher will

Reflection: