What are the levels of government?
SS.3.C.3.1
Identify the levels of government (local, state, federal).
LAFS.3.RI.1.1 – Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text
as the basis for the answers.
LAFS.3.RI.1.2 – Determine the main idea of a text. Recount the key details and explain how they support the
main idea.
LAFS.3.RF.4.4 – Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
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SS.3.C.3.1
Identify the levels of government (local, state, federal).
Correlated Florida Standards (See Full Text on Cover Page)
 LAFS.3.RI.1.1, LAFS.3.RI.1.2, LAFS.3.RF.4.4
Essential Question
What are the levels of government?
Learning Goals/Objectives
 Students will understand that there are three levels of government.
 Students will understand some of the responsibilities and government officials at each level.
Overview
Students will read a passage about the three levels of government and fill out an activity sheet identifying the
responsibilities and officials for each level of government.
Materials
 Blank paper
 Three Levels of Government reading
 Three Levels of Government handout
Time
 15-20 minutes
Activity Sequence
INTRODUCTION/HOOK
1. Give each student a sheet of blank paper
2. Have students make three columns: local government, state government, and federal government.
3. Have students write down what they think they know about each level of government to activate any prior
knowledge.
ACTIVITY
4. Pass out the Three Levels of Government reading and handout.
5. Explain to students that they will work as a whole class and read the passage to understand some of the
major responsibilities and leaders for the three levels of government. Explain to students that as they read
aloud they will mark or highlight text that helps them understand the responsibilities and leaders for each
level.
6. Work as a whole class to read the passage.
7. Instruct students to use their marked text to complete the Three Levels of Government handout.
CLOSURE
8. Instruct students to summarize what they have learned about one of the levels of government as an
exit slip.
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Three Levels of Government
In the United States, there are three levels of government. As Americans, we live under the rule of all three
of these governments. The three levels of government are the federal government, the state government and
the local government.
The federal government, located in Washington, D.C., has three branches: the executive, the legislative and
the judicial. Each of the three branches has different responsibilities. The U.S. Constitution separates power
between the three branches. The executive branch executes or carries out the laws. The President of the
United States is the head of the executive branch. The legislative branch refers to Congress and is the branch
that makes our nation’s laws. Congress is made up of two parts, or houses: the House of Representatives and
the Senate. Each state has the right to representation in the House of Representatives depending on its
population. Members of the House of Representatives are known as representatives. Every state also has the
right to two members of the Senate known as senators. The judicial branch refers to the courts. This is the
branch where judges and justices interpret the laws. The writers of the U.S. Constitution included a system of
checks and balances to make sure that one of the three branches could not become more powerful than the
others.
State governments are governed by state constitutions. Individual states cannot create any laws that conflict
with national laws because the U.S. Constitution is “the supreme law of the land”. This means that no state
laws can go against what the U.S. Constitution says. State constitutions separate state government power into
three branches, similar to the federal government. These branches are also called executive, legislative and
judicial. Instead of dealing with national laws, state branches of government are concerned with state level
laws. People living in a state elect a governor as the head of the executive branch. In Florida, the state
legislative branch is also made up of two parts: the House of Representatives and Senate. Members of the
state legislative branch are called state representatives and state senators.
Local government refers to city and county governments. Local governments have leaders such as a mayor
and commissioners. Citizens give leaders power to make decisions concerning the city or county. Local
government leaders pass local laws called ordinances and focus on providing services such as clean water,
garbage pick up, playgrounds, parks, streets, lights, and police and fire protection.
Adapted from: http://socialsciences.dadeschools.net/pdf/elementary_lessons-civic_integration/SS.3.C.3.1.complete-edited.pdf
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Name________________________________
Date_____________
Three Levels of Government
Level
Major Responsibilities
Government Officials
Level: __________________
Level: ___________________
Level: ____________________
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Three Levels of Government – Answer Key
Level
Major Responsibilities
Executive – carries out the laws
Legislative – makes our nation’s laws
Government Officials
President, Representatives, Senators,
Judges, Justices
Judicial – interpret the laws
Level: Federal
state branches of government are
concerned with state level laws
Governor
State Representative
State Senator
Level: State
Local government leaders pass local
laws called ordinances and focus on
providing services such as clean water,
garbage pick up, playgrounds, parks,
streets, lights, and police and fire
protection
Mayor, Commissioner
Level: Local
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