1. Government Decision- Making Processes and Citizenship Essential Question: How are government decisions shaped by different points of view?

2. Terms to discuss: Point of view School government local government state government national government Who leads each of the above?

3. Governments frequently have to make important decisions affecting thousands or even millions of people. For example: Should students be allowed to leave a campus on their own during the day? Should Walmart be allowed to be built within the city? Should a state be allowed to implement a lottery? Should American military troops be kept in Iraq or Afghanistan to fight terrorism?

4. Governments officials often make decisions and follow a logical decision-making process. Arrange the following processes in a logical order: Identify a problem Gather information List various options consider advantages and disadvantages of each option choose a solution Evaluate the effectiveness of the solution

5. Answers to flow chart 1.Identify a problem 2.Gather information 3.List options 4.Consider advantages and disadvantages of each option 5.Choose a solution 6.Evaluate the effectiveness of the solution

6. POLITICAL PROCESSES AND CITIZENSHIP F ocus Question: How are government decisions shaped by different points of view? ACTIVITY: Your group will now represent different points of view in a city council meeting on a zoning issue. The proposal before the council is a permit request to build a dirt bike path in close proximity to a housing neighborhood. GROUPS- 1. A neighborhood association 2. The land developer for the dirt bike path 3. Company executives from a well-known bike company 4. Members of an anti-noise environmental group 5. Young adults representing the youth in the neighborhood 6. Members of the "Freedom in America" organization 7. City council members Prepare your points of view and arguments (for or against) the dirt bike path. Your group must have a minimum of 5. Your group will present your point of view to the city council.