Is Government Necessary?

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Overview

In this lesson students discuss the purposes of the United States Government and investigate how the U.S. Congress affects their lives. Students explain what life would be like in the absence of government and Congress.

Grade Levels

5 - 8

Objectives

Students will:

• the three branches of government and explain the functions of each branch;
• investigate how Congress affects their lives;
• write a story that describes what life would be like in the absence of government; and
• determine why Congress is necessary.

Estimated Time

2 days

Materials Needed

• E-Learning Module: Public Criticisms of Congress
• Chalk and chalkboard or an overhead projector

Procedure

Day 1

1. Ask students to name several things that the U.S. Government does. Guide students to suggest basic functions of government, such as making laws, providing for the national defense and security of the country, and allocating funds to schools or for transportation.
2. Have students identify the three branches of the U.S. Government. Discuss the activities that each branch may perform. Encourage students to think about how each function pertains to their lives.
3. Have students listen to Opinion 7 on the Public Criticisms of Congress E-Learning Module. Discuss whether students agree or disagree with the statement.
4. Ask students to generate a list of things they do on a regular basis. For example, they may list riding a car or bus to school, buying food, drinking water from the tap, listening to music, or conducting a search on the Internet. Write this list on a chalkboard or overhead projector.
5. Remind students that one of the primary roles of Congress is to make laws. Explain that many of these laws have some impact on their daily activities.
6. Tell students to conduct research and learn about the impact that acts of Congress have on two of their listed activities. Students should start by reading " The Role of Congress in American Society." For more information, students can visit The Brookings Institution’s Web site on Governance and read “Government’s 50 Greatest Endeavors of the second half of the 20th century” at http://www.brookings.edu/endeavors.
7. Ask some students to share their findings with the class.
8. Have students listen to the response to Opinion 7 on the Public Criticisms of Congress E-Learning Module. Discuss the response.
9. For homework, have each student write a story that describes what his or her life would be like without government. Each story should include a description of the functions of U.S. Government and explain why life would be different in the absence of each activity.

Day 2

1. Select a few students to share their stories.
2. Explain that most people can agree that some type of government is necessary. However, some people may ask whether the United States should have a Congress. Have students listen to Opinion 8 on the Public Criticisms of Congress E-Learning Module. Discuss whether students agree or disagree with the statement. Students should consider what life would be like without Congress.
3. As a whole class, compile a list of the benefits of having a Congress.
4. Have students listen to the response to Opinion 8 on the Public Criticisms of Congress E-Learning Module. Discuss the response.

Extending the Activity

Have students create a multimedia presentation that describes how the United States Government might function without Congress.

 

Have students create a presentation that describes daily life without a Congress and without any national laws in place.

 

Assessment

Basic Concepts and Processes

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

1. What is the major function of Congress? How do acts of Congress affect at least two activities in your daily life?
2. Describe at least two functions of government. What would your life be like without each governmental activity?
3. Why is Congress necessary in the United States ? Identify at least three reasons.

Scoring Guide for A Closer Look at Voting Patterns

Elements	Possible Score	Assigned Score	Notes
Correct spelling	10
Correct grammar	10
Good beginning, middle, and end	10
Identifies a specific issue	20
Explains functions of Congress	25
Includes a well-thought-out story about what life would be like without Congress	25

Lesson Plan Feedback

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