The Purpose of Government

 

Please select your state to view the corresponding standards:

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict_of_ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettesMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew_HampshireNew_JerseyNew_MexicoNew_YorkNorth_CarolinaNorth_DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode_IslandSouth_CarolinaSouth_DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest_VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

Overview

This lesson examines how the Founders defined government and explains the purpose of government. Students will learn how the United States government fulfills its responsibilities.

 

Grade Levels

9–12

 

Objectives

Students will:

• describe the purpose of government, as stated in the Declaration of Independence;
• explain how the purpose of government is reflected in the Preamble of the Constitution; and
• describe one way that the United States government fulfills its responsibilities.

Estimated Time

2 days

 

Materials Needed

• E-Learning Module: An Ordinary Day
• Internet connection with Macromedia FLASH ® enabled
• Projection device
• One copy of the Declaration of Independence per student
• One copy of the U.S. Constitution per student

Procedure

Day 1

1. Remind students that Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence and the Continental Congress adopted it in July 1776. It is the United States’ founding document.
2. Distribute copies of the Declaration of Independence to students and ask them to read it. Have students answer the following questions:
   • How does the Declaration of Independence define the purpose of government?
   • According to the Declaration of Independence, where does government get its power?
   • According to the Declaration of independence, what do people have the right to do if government does not protect their rights?
3. Distribute copies of the U.S. Constitution to students and have them read the Preamble. Ask students the following questions:
   • According to the Preamble, what is the purpose of the Constitution?
   • How is the purpose of government, as outlined in the Declaration of Independence, reflected in the Preamble of the Constitution?

Day 2

1. Remind students that the Founders believed the main purpose of the government is to protect people’s rights to life, liberty, and property. The government is responsible for making sure that our rights and welfare are protected.
2. Ask students to name some ways the government protects the general welfare of its citizens. Explain to students that one way the government fulfills its responsibilities is by passing laws or regulations that address the needs of citizens.
3. Have student volunteers name some of their daily activities. Write these activities on a chalkboard, whiteboard, or overhead transparency. Ask students to name which of the activities written on the board may involve the law in some way.
4. Tell students that the law is involved in many of their daily activities. Use a projection device to show students the An Ordinary Day E-Learning Module. Discuss the impact of law on their daily lives.

Extension Activity

Have students read portions of John Locke’s Treatises of Civil Government (1690). Discuss how the Founders were influenced by Locke’s concepts of government and natural rights.

 

Assessment

Basic Concepts and Processes

Ask your students to respond to the following requests for information and assess their knowledge of key concepts taught in this lesson.

1. Describe the purpose of government, as stated in the Declaration of Independence.
2. Explain how the purpose of government is reflected in the Preamble of the Constitution.
3. Describe one way that the U.S. government fulfills its responsibilities.

Lesson Plan Feedback

If you have suggestions for improving this lesson plan, or if you have ideas for others using the module, please let us know. We value your input. Thank you!

Feedback: