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Levels of GovernmentMrs. Martin’s SS Class

SS3CG1 The student will explain the importance of the basic principles that provide the foundation of a republican form of government.a. Explain why in the United States there is a separation of power between branches of government and levels of government.b. Name the three levels of government (national, state, local) and the three branches in each (executive, legislative, judicial), including the names of the legislative branch (Congress, General Assembly, county commission or city council).c. State an example of the responsibilities of each level and branch of government.

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What is Government?A government is a group of people that sets laws or rules and runs a community.

Watch a video on government; then answer…

What kind of government do we have?

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What is the meaning of level?Think of the levels or stories of a

building.

Example: Some skyscrapers in New York have more than 50 stories or levels.

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Our country has 3 levels of government. Let’s draw a building!Think of a building with 3 stories or

levels.

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Levels of GovernmentLevel 3: FEDERAL or NATIONAL

Level 2: STATE

Level 1 (the lowest level): LOCAL or City/Town

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Why do we have 3 levels of government instead of one?The powers or authorities are

divided to prevent (or avoid) one level from becoming more powerful.

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Let’s Review our Map Skills

Trace the entire United States of America. It is our nation or country

Trace the state of Georgia. Which is bigger—a country or a state?

Can you find a city or town in Georgia? How many cities or towns do you see?

Which is the biggest— The country (national or federal), the state, or the town/city?

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Cedartown does not have a Mayor but we have a City manager!

Let’s meet our city manager…

Bill Fann!

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What does a mayor or a city manager do?

Let’s learn about a mayor’s job! We will watch an interview with a mayor.

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Meet our Local Government’s City Commissioners!

Cedartown City Commissioners are pictured above. They are, left to right: Jordan Hubbard, Matt Foster, chairman Dale Tuck, Gary Martin and chairman pro-tem Larry Odom.

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Copy: Local Level GovernmentLocal means in nearby area, usually

small, such as city or town. A local government is a group that leads a town or a city

Can you name cities in the state of Georgia?

Our local or city leaders are the: Legislative Branch: City Council or the City Commission

Executive Branch: Mayor or City Manager

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What does the local government do?

1. The local government runs the school system.

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What does the local government do?

2. The local government runs the city parks.

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What does the local government do?

3. keeps its citizens safe by providing local police and firefighters

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What does the local government do?4. makes sure that there is

clean running water 5. sets city ordinances or

rules.6. administers elections and

driver licenses.

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Meet the Leaders of our State of Georgia!Nathan Deal—Governor

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Georgia’s General Assembly or State Legislature

He is the leader of Georgia General Assembly

Our city’s very own, Representative Trey Kelley

Cedartown’s Congressman (16th District)

Take Note!!!Both state and national levels have congressmen/congresswomen and senators. There are 56 state senators in Georgia; but only 2 U.S senators representing Georgia.

There are about180 members of the House of Representatives in Georgia General Assembly; while there are only13 U.S. Congressmen representing Georgia.

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Georgia Supreme Court JusticesChief Justice Hugh Thompson and

the Justices

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The State Level of GovernmentA group of cities or towns makes up a state. There are 50 states in our country—the U.S.A.

The leaders of the state of Georgia are:

Legislative -The General Assembly (state congressmen/congresswomen and the state senators or representatives)

Executive - The governorJudicial – Georgia Supreme Court

Justices

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What does the state government do?

1. builds and maintains roads that connect communities across the state

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What does the state government do?

2. protects state’s environment

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What does the state government do?3. manages public health and safety for the state

4. develops educational systems

5. creates state laws.

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To explain further…Watch a video about the first 2 levels of government—the Local and the State Levels.

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Meet the Leaders in the Federal Level!

Barack Obama—President of the United States of America

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The U.S. representatives make up the Congress

We have 100 senators and 435 Congressmen

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The U.S. Supreme Court’s

Chief Justice and Justices

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The National or Federal Level of GovernmentNational or Federal involves our entire country. What is the name of our country?

The leaders of this level of government are: Legislative – The U.S Congress

(Senators and Congressmen/congresswomen)

Executive - The president of the U.S.A. Judicial – the Supreme Court which

consists of the Chief Justice and the Justices.

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What does the federal or national government do?

1. prints currency or money

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What does the federal or national government do?

2. declares war3. conducts foreign relations (or deals with other countries)

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Let’s create our 3 Levels of Government Building!Cut out the boxes.Put (do not glue yet) each item in

the corresponding level.Ask your teacher if all your

answers are correct.Glue the information on your

“government building”

Answer the following:1. The government of the United States is divided into

three levels. These levels are________________________________________

2. Which level (type) of government is made up of a president and U.S Congress?

______________________________________

3. A city council belongs to which level of government?________________________________

4. Which level of government takes care of fire prevention and peace and order in your town? _______________________________

5. Your class would like to have a bike path built from your school to the park. Whom should you talk to about this project?_______________________________

6. Which level of government usually makes laws for the whole country?_______________________________

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7. Most cities and towns have mayors and city council that run the government. Cedartown, Georgia has what instead?_______________________________

8. Cities or towns are run by which level of government?_______________________________

9. Which level builds and maintains roads that connect communities across the state?_________________________________

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10. Which level prints our money and takes care of foreign (other countries) relations?________________________________

11. Which level is the highest level? Why?______________________________________________________________________

12. Why do we have three levels of government?________________________________________________________________________

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Facts Every Citizen Should Know:1. What is your town or city?___________2. What is the name of your state? ____________3. What is your country’s name? ___________________

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Review all 12 questions and answers including the 3 facts.