Chapter 8 Government

Lesson 1 Vocabulary authority – the right given to leaders to give orders, make decisions, and take action for a community government service – the work that the government does for everyone in its area legislative – having to do with the branch of government that makes laws

4. executive – having to do with the branch of government that sees that laws are obeyed 5. judicial – having to do with the branch of government that decides whether laws are fair or are based on the Constitution

Levels of Government There are three levels of government.

2. Each level of government has their own jobs to do. 3. People pay for these government services with their taxes.

Lesson 2 Vocabulary county – a section of a state, including cities and towns in an area council – a group of people chosen to make laws 3. mayor – a leader of a community government

4. county seat – the city or town in which the main government offices of the county are located 5. court – a place where a judge or jury decide if someone has broken the law 6. recreation – an activity done just for enjoyment

7. public works – a department of a community government that provides services to meet the daily needs of citizens, such as repairing streets and collecting trash

City and Town Government One type of city government is called the mayor-council government. Voters elect a mayor and council members. 2. A mayor makes sure the city laws are carried out and that everyone’s safe. 3. The council makes laws and collects taxes.

Another type is the council-manager government. Voters elect council members and then the council chooses one of its members as the mayor. 2. They also hire a city manager to run the city.

County Government Each county has its own government to run its county. County governments often have their own courts. County laws only affect people in that county. Judges lead the courts.

Community Services Community government provides services to people in its town or city. Some of these government services include the fire department, police department, and education. Local government also provides places for recreation, such as pool, parks and sports fields.

4. The public works department provides services to meet the daily needs of citizens. 5. They repair roads, and collect garbage. 6. They also make sure the community gets clean water and takes care of wastewater.

Lesson 3 Vocabulary governor – elected leader of a state’s government capitol – the government building in a capital city where lawmakers meet supreme court – the highest court in any state

4. Congress – the legislative branch of the national government 5. representative – a person chosen by a group of people to act or speak for them 6. appointed - chosen

State Government Every state elects a governor. A governor suggests laws and makes sure they are being carried out. Each state has its own Constitution.

5. A state’s supreme court is the most important court in the state. 4. Lawmakers meet in a building called the capitol in the state’s capital city. 5. A state’s supreme court is the most important court in the state.

National Government National government is also called the federal government. The national government is located in our nation’s capitol in Washington, D.C. The president is the leader of the executive branch of the national government.

4. The President enforces laws and suggests new ones 4. The President enforces laws and suggests new ones. He is leads our military. 5. The President lives in the White House.

Congress Congress is the legislative branch of the national government. Congress has two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Members of Congress are elected by voters in their state.

4. Congress writes new laws and decides how taxes should be spent. Laws passed by the national government need to be followed by all 50 states.

Supreme Court The federal courts make up the judicial branch of the national government. The Supreme Court is the most important court in the US. Nine judges serve on the Supreme Court.

4. Supreme Court justices are not elected, they are appointed by the President.

State and National Services Our national government provides services that: 1. keep the country safe 2. make life easier, like the USPS 3. provide goods, like books

Lesson 4 Vocabulary patriotic symbol – a symbol, such as a flag, that stands for pride in a nation monument – something that is built to honor or remember a person or event in history memorial – something that helps keep a memory of a person or event alive anthem – a patriotic song

Our Nation’s Symbols The US flag is a symbol of our country’s history and beliefs. The flag has 13 stripes for the original 13 colonies. It has 50 stars for the 50 states.

4. The American bald eagle is the national bird 4. The American bald eagle is the national bird. It is a symbol of the strength and freedom of America. 5. The Liberty Bell is a symbol of freedom. It was rung after the first reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Monuments Many patriotic symbols are located in Washington, D.C. A monument is built to honor a person or event in history. It can be a sculpture, a fountain, or a building.

4. The Washington Monument is a huge stone column in honor of our country’s first President, George Washington. 5. Some monuments are built as memorials to keep the memory of a person or event alive. 6. The Lincoln Memorial helps people remember President Lincoln.

7. Some memorials remember people who died in wars. 8. The Vietnam Memorial and the Korean War Memorial honor citizens who fought in those wars. 9. The National World War II Memorial honors soldiers who fought in World War II.

Words of Patriotism Francis Scott Key wrote the words to our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The Pledge of Allegiance is a promise that people make to be loyal, to the United States.