In this Grade 3 lesson from Social Studies Alive! Our Community and Beyond, students learn how government in the United States is organized across three levels: local, state, and federal. They explore key civics vocabulary including city hall, Constitution, legislature, and public works, and examine the specific services each level of government provides to communities. The lesson also introduces tribal government, helping students understand the full range of governing bodies that shape life in the United States.
Section 1
Local Governments Serve Communities
Your community, like a city or town, has its own government. This is called the local government, and it helps run the place where you live.
This government provides services you use every day. It runs your local parks, libraries, and fire departments. It also makes sure you have police officers to keep you safe.
Section 2
Governments Provide Services with Tax Money
Every level of government provides helpful things for its community. These are called government services. These services include building roads, running schools and libraries, and paying for police and firefighters to keep people safe.
To pay for these services, governments collect money from people and businesses. This money is called taxes.
Section 3
State Governments Help Their People
Each of the 50 states has its own government to take care of the people who live there. This state government makes rules and laws just for that state.
A governor is the elected leader of the state. The governor works with a group of lawmakers to make sure the state runs smoothly and its laws are fair.
Section 4
The Federal Government Leads the Nation
The federal government is the national government for the entire United States. It follows the rules of the U.S. Constitution to lead the country and provide services for people in all 50 states.
The leader of our country is the President. The President works with Congress, which is the group that makes laws for the whole nation.
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Section 1
Local Governments Serve Communities
Your community, like a city or town, has its own government. This is called the local government, and it helps run the place where you live.
This government provides services you use every day. It runs your local parks, libraries, and fire departments. It also makes sure you have police officers to keep you safe.
Section 2
Governments Provide Services with Tax Money
Every level of government provides helpful things for its community. These are called government services. These services include building roads, running schools and libraries, and paying for police and firefighters to keep people safe.
To pay for these services, governments collect money from people and businesses. This money is called taxes.
Section 3
State Governments Help Their People
Each of the 50 states has its own government to take care of the people who live there. This state government makes rules and laws just for that state.
A governor is the elected leader of the state. The governor works with a group of lawmakers to make sure the state runs smoothly and its laws are fair.
Section 4
The Federal Government Leads the Nation
The federal government is the national government for the entire United States. It follows the rules of the U.S. Constitution to lead the country and provide services for people in all 50 states.
The leader of our country is the President. The President works with Congress, which is the group that makes laws for the whole nation.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter