Organize Your Own Government

Lesson Details Subject: Social Studies Learning Level: Author(s): Karen Nielsen Submitted by:

Abstract The purpose of this project is to allow the student to combine all of the information learned in this unit to create a government that would incorporate all of the duties, characteristics and functions of government. The students have already learned all of the information needed to complete this assignment and it is just a matter of them applying what they know and adding a twist of creativity in the construction of a Web Page. This project is complex and quite lengthy, so it should only be attempted if the students are fully prepared and the teacher has class time to designate for this specific purpose. Lesson fundamental understandings: Essential Questions: Standards National Standards Students should be able to explain and evaluate competing ideas regarding the relationship between political and economic freedoms. Students should be able to evaluate, take, and defend positions on the importance of the rule of law and on the sources, purposes, and functions of law. Students should be able to explain the essential characteristics of limited and unlimited governments. Students should be able to evaluate, take, and defend positions on competing ideas regarding the purposes of politics and government and their implications for the individual and society. Students should be able to explain the major arguments advanced for the necessity of politics and government. Students should be able to explain the meaning of the terms civic life, politics, and government. Understands the physical and human characteristics of place Understands that culture and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions State Standards Lesson Prerequisite Skills Students must have knowledge of the following: 1. The Four Characteristics of all Nation-States 2. The Organization of Government Systems (Autocracy, Oligarchy and Democracy) 3. The Concepts of Power vs. Authority 4. Governmental Leadership Responsibilities 5. The Four Functions of Government 6. The Physical and Human Characteristics of Place 7. Web Site Construction Teacher Information/Situations/Setting/Time Students should work in groups of three or four for this project. The teacher should strategically place students in the group based on the following factors: knowledge of technology, artistic ability, writing skills. (Do not allow students to choose their own groups because you may encounter a group with limited knowledge in one of those areas.) The teacher should allow the students one or two days to construct a visual plan for the Web Page. The following link will provide the teacher with instructions on how to create a Web Page. The teacher should allow several days for the students to actually construct the Web Page containing information on their original government. The teacher should allocate one or two days for in class presentations of projects. Assessment The assessment for this project should be based on the Web Page Design Project Rubric. The teacher can design a rubric or the students could do this through cooperative learning. Your rubric should include the following categories and it is up to the individual teacher to determine the worth of each: Layout/Design Graphics Information Accuracy in Determining Type of Government with Appropriate Leadership and Governing Style Working Together Following Classroom Guidelines Student Activity/Tasks Students will create an original government, which is to be presented in the form of a Web Page. All students should follow this simple outline: I. Describe your nation- A. Geographically: Where is it located? How big is your civilization? What is the population? What are 3 natural resources? B. Culture: What are 5 customs or traditions of the people? What do people do to pass the time? What is the name of your government? II. Organizations and Functions- A. Identify the type of government found there. B. Who is in power or authority? How did the leader acquire this position? (inheritance, force, etc.) C. What are the nation's requirements for becoming the leader? D. Is there a term limit for leadership? E. What is the name of your leader(s). III. Describe the Relationship of Government with the following: A. Keeping Order in Society (Identify 10 Laws) B. Providing for National Security (by what means) C. Providing Public Services (Identify 10) D. Promoting Social Standards (Identify 10) IV. Choose six of the following and explain/illustrate how your government would manage or supervise that particular issue. A. An Unexpected War B. Taxation C. Social Policies and Programs D. Policies Toward Business E. Education F. Energy and the Environment G. Citizen's Rights H. Transportation V. Design a Flag and National Symbol for your Government. Please be sure to explain the significance of each and why these were chosen to represent your nation. Enrichment/Alternate Activity: Cross-Curricular: Technology Requirements/Tools/Materials Classroom set of computers Web Page Design access or PowerPoint technology Acknowledgements: Additional Resources Main URL: Related Lessons Related Resources Copyright © 1997-2003 Career Connection to Teaching with Technology USDOE Technology Innovation Challenge Grant Marshall Ransom, Project Manager All rights reserved.