Dwire+May+Social+Science

In our class we have rules. Can you point to where they are hanging? Just like our class, communities have written rules too.

A community rule is called a law. A community needs laws. Laws help keep a community safe, clean, and fair for everyone.



A government is a group of people chosen to make laws. There are community, state, and country governments. This is our government center in Ventura County.

People can work to make and to change laws. This crossing guard helps walkers and drivers to follow laws.

1) Why does a community need laws? (Laws help keep our community safe and fair) 2) Are they ways that you help with laws or rules?

Part 2:

Leaders

Your teacher is a leader. Governments have leaders too.

Before we get in the lesson. Let's go over the key vocabulary or words for this lesson.

The leader of a city or town

The leader of a state.

The leader of our country.

There are governments of cities and towns, of states, and of the country. Each place has a main government building. Your community may have a city or town hall. This is the city hall for Ventura.



There is a capitol building in your state.This is the capitol building for the state of California.

The White House and other government buildings are in Washington, D.C.

What are the names of buildings where government leaders work? (city or town hall, state capitol building, or the White House)

In the United States, government leaders are chosen by the people. Each leader works to make our country a good place to live. A mayor is the leader of a city or town government. This is Mike Tracy, he is the mayor of Ventura County. He helps to take care of many things such as schools and libraries.



A governor is the leader of a state government. This is the governor of California, Jerry Brown. He helps to take care of state roads, colleges, and parks.

The President is the leader of the United States government. This is President Obama. He helps to make laws for all people living in the United States. He also works with leaders around the world.

Who is the President of the United States? (President Obama)

There have been government leaders from the time our country was new.

There have been government leaders for thousands of years. Here are three leaders from the past.

Why do governments need leaders? (They help to make life better for the people they lead.)

Can you tell me something about a governor? (A governor is the leader of a state.)

Part 3:

This week we are going to talk about citizens and how we can help in our community. Why is it important to be a good helper in your community and in our country? (because there is a lot of work to having a good, safe community)

Before we get started with the lesson, let's go over some important vocabulary words. A right is something that you are free to do. (ex. you have the right to have your own opinion and to say what your opinion is)

A duty to do something

A way to show your opinion or way of thinking

A time when citizens vote for a law or leader.

Citizens of the United States have rights. A right is something that you are free to do.

Citizens also have responsibilities. A responsibility is a duty to do something. One responsibility citizens have is to help make laws and to follow them. It's our responsibility to obey the law. It's the crossing guards responsibility to help us follow that law. Good citizens can help make their country a better place to live.







What are some ways that you can help or to be a good citizen? (Follow laws, help make laws, help out with work)

Sometimes people in a group want to do different things. People can vote to decide which thing to do. When people vote, they make a choice. Voting is a fair way for groups to make decisions.

Citizens help make rules and laws. In an election, citizens choose government leaders who make or change laws for their state or the country. An election is a time when citizens vote for the leader they think will do the best job. The winner is the one with the most votes. Voting is a responsibility.

1) What things have you voted on in school? (cooking lessons, free time, movies)

2) What do citizens vote for in an election? (laws, government leaders)

3) What responsibilities does a citizen have? (making laws, following laws, voting, helping others in the community)