1. Essential Questions Why does a government have certain powers?
What different needs should be addressed by the different levels of government?
Has the idea of what is an appropriate power of a government changed or remained the same over time?

2. Enduring Understandings
Governments are given certain powers so that they can fulfill the purposes for which they were created.
Governments are structured to address the basic needs of the people in a society.

3. Preamble to the United States Constitution
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
What do you already know about the Preamble?
According to the Preamble, what are the purposes for the U.S. government?
How might the Preamble impact citizens?

4. ABC’s of the Government’s Power and Purpose
Work in groups of 2-4
Brainstorm powers that government have:
What are examples of the government using its power?
What actions can the government take to achieve its goal/purpose?
Hint: You can use a word or a phrase.

5. QUICK FIRE
What is one purpose of government that Madison could be hinting at in the above quote? Explain your answer.

6. MANAGE CONFLICT MAINTAIN ORDER PROVIDE NATIONAL SECURITY
PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT
MAINTAIN ORDER
PROVIDE NATIONAL SECURITY
MANAGE CONFLICT
PROVIDING PUBLIC SERVICES
MANAGE RESOURCES
ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER JUSTICE

7. ABC’S of Governmental Powers
MAINTAIN ORDER
Choose 10 of the powers and relate them to the broad purposes of government. Under which category does each power fall?
Write each of the 10 powers on a post-it note.
Place the post-it note on the poster labeled with the corresponding purpose.
ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER JUSTICE
PROVIDE NATIONAL SECURITY
PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT
MANAGE RESOURCES
MANAGE CONFLICT
PROVIDING PUBLIC SERVICES

8. Newspaper Scavenger Hunt
Scan the newspapers for articles that… • …illustrate the six general purposes of government. Write brief summaries of the articles, headlines, cartoons, etc., that illustrate the purposes of government • …provide examples of 4 powers of government. Write brief summaries of the articles, headlines, cartoons, etc., that illustrate the powers of government

9. Discuss with a Partner
What is a problem in your community that might require government solutions?
What power would government need to solve that problem?