Paying for Government Services

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Overview

This lesson introduces students to major services provided by local, state, and national governments and describes how these services are paid for.

Grade Levels

5 – 8

Objectives

Students will:

• Identify the major sources of revenue for government spending.
• Identify the type of tax that makes up the largest percentage of the federal budget.

Estimated Time

45 minutes

Materials Needed

• E-Learning Module: Federal Budget Allocation
• Overhead projection device
• Paper and pencil

Procedure

1. Review the term budget with students. Make sure they understand what a budget is.
2. Ask students why local, state, and national governments would need a budget. Have students think about some of the expenses that local, state, and national governments would have.
3. As a class, generate a list of things that cost money to provide in the local community. For example, students may list the school, the post office, the bank, or the public library.
4. Have students decide which things on the list receive local, state, or government funds. Students may say public schools, the county courthouse, public health care, libraries, parks, and police and fire departments receive government funds.
5. Discuss where the government gets money to pay for these services. Explain that most of the money comes from citizens' income taxes.
6. Use a classroom projection device to show students the Tax Revenue by Percentage chart from the Congressional Budgets section of the Federal Budget Allocation Activity. Discuss taxes. Make sure students understand where each of these taxes comes from. You may want to refer them to the Federal Budget Allocation Activity glossary. Ask students: "Which of these types of taxes make up the largest percentage of the federal budget? Which type of tax, if any, do you think should be increased? Why? Which type of tax do you think should be decreased? Why?"
7. Discuss ways that citizens can voice their opinions about how they think tax money should be spent. Point out that they can communicate their views to their congressional representatives or they can write letters to the editors of newspapers and magazines.

Extension Activity

Have students write a paper that answers the following question: Would you rather pay for each government service with tax dollars or as each service is used? Students should explain their answers.

Assessment

Basic Concepts and Processes

Ask your students the following questions and assess their knowledge of key concepts taught in this lesson.

1. What are the major sources of revenue for the federal government?
2. What type of tax makes up the largest percentage of the federal budget?

Lesson Plan Feedback

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