Social Studies Chapter 3 People and Their Local Government

Lesson 1- Leaders in the Community Jane Addams and Virginia Ramirez were community leaders. Jane Addams was once called “Chicago’s most useful citizen” because she started the Hull House, a community center used to help people in need. Jane Addams and Virginia Ramirez were community leaders. Jane Addams was once called “Chicago’s most useful citizen” because she started the Hull House, a community center used to help people in need. She believed in public service. She believed in public service. Public service is doing work for the good of the community. Public service is doing work for the good of the community.

You can do a public service by: You can do a public service by: ~ collecting food and clothing for those in need ~ collecting food and clothing for those in need ~ acting as a community or government leader ~ acting as a community or government leader ~ acting as a volunteer ~ acting as a volunteer A volunteer is someone who chooses to work without being paid. A volunteer is someone who chooses to work without being paid.

The leaders of a community, or government leaders, are elected by the people of a community. The leaders of a community, or government leaders, are elected by the people of a community. To elect means to choose by voting. To elect means to choose by voting. The MAYOR, JUDGES, and OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CITY OR TOWN GOVERNMENT are all elected. The MAYOR, JUDGES, and OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CITY OR TOWN GOVERNMENT are all elected. Some leaders, like the head of the police and fire departments, are appointed by government leaders. The citizens have given them the authority to do this. Some leaders, like the head of the police and fire departments, are appointed by government leaders. The citizens have given them the authority to do this.

Lesson 2- Communities Have Governments Governments make laws to help keep order and to keep people safe. Governments make laws to help keep order and to keep people safe. People living in a community together may have conflicts, or disagreements. (playing music too loud) People living in a community together may have conflicts, or disagreements. (playing music too loud) Some conflicts must be settled in court by a judge. The judge listens to both sides and tells the neighbors what they must do to get along. (A jury listens to the facts and decides guilt or innocence. The judge decides the punishment.) Some conflicts must be settled in court by a judge. The judge listens to both sides and tells the neighbors what they must do to get along. (A jury listens to the facts and decides guilt or innocence. The judge decides the punishment.)

Community governments protect people and their property. Community governments protect people and their property. There are 2 types of property. There are 2 types of property. a. Public Property- belongs to everyone in the community. (parks, streets, roads, some libraries, and some museums) a. Public Property- belongs to everyone in the community. (parks, streets, roads, some libraries, and some museums) b. Private Property- belongs to one person or a group of people. (homes, businesses, farms) b. Private Property- belongs to one person or a group of people. (homes, businesses, farms)

Lesson 3- Community Governments Provide Services A government service is work done by the government for everyone in a city or town. A government service is work done by the government for everyone in a city or town. One government service that we know about is the public school system. Most communities have a board of education, or school board. Their job is to make decisions and solve problems for the community’s schools. One government service that we know about is the public school system. Most communities have a board of education, or school board. Their job is to make decisions and solve problems for the community’s schools.

Many communities have parks and recreation areas for people to go and enjoy nature and open space. Many communities have parks and recreation areas for people to go and enjoy nature and open space. Recreation is any activity, hobby, or sport done for enjoyment. (reading, playing games, exercising) Recreation is any activity, hobby, or sport done for enjoyment. (reading, playing games, exercising) The parks and recreation department takes care of community swimming pools, public softball diamonds, basketball and tennis courts, and golf courses. They also offer special programs for children in the summer. The parks and recreation department takes care of community swimming pools, public softball diamonds, basketball and tennis courts, and golf courses. They also offer special programs for children in the summer.

These government services cost money, which is why we as citizens pay taxes. These government services cost money, which is why we as citizens pay taxes. Tax- is money that citizens pay to run the community government and provide services. Tax- is money that citizens pay to run the community government and provide services. Property tax- money paid by people who own land and buildings in the community. Sales tax- extra money that all people pay each time they buy something.

Lesson 4- Branches and Levels of Government Most governments are made up of three branches. Most governments are made up of three branches. Legislative Branch – (the Capitol Building) makes the laws. Legislative Branch – (the Capitol Building) makes the laws. Executive Branch – (the White House) sees that laws are obeyed. Executive Branch – (the White House) sees that laws are obeyed. Judicial Branch – (the Supreme Court) decides whether laws are fair and whether they have been carried out fairly. Judicial Branch – (the Supreme Court) decides whether laws are fair and whether they have been carried out fairly.

Local Governments The county government is a local government. The county government is a local government. A county is part of a state. The county board of commissioners meets in a town or city known as the county seat. They discuss and solve problems that affect the county. A county is part of a state. The county board of commissioners meets in a town or city known as the county seat. They discuss and solve problems that affect the county. The leader of a city or town is the mayor or city manager. The leader of a city or town is the mayor or city manager.

State Governments In each state, voters ELECT a leader called a governor. In each state, voters ELECT a leader called a governor. The governor suggests laws that he or she thinks will be good for the state. The governor suggests laws that he or she thinks will be good for the state.