Carley Morgan

EGP 335 Lesson Plan

Lesson Title: State Government
Day Number: 7
Author: Houghton Mifflin
Unit: 4 - Community Government
Grade Level: Third
Background Information
Summary/Description: During this lesson, students will learn about the
role of state government, specifically, the role of a governor and who is
the leaders within Pennsylvania.
Expected Duration: 50-60 minutes
Concepts
o What is State Government?
o Who is in charge?
o State Government positions
o PA State Government
Vocabulary:
o Capitol: building where leaders meet to make laws
o Governor: head of the states second branch
Skills
o Active listening
o Identifying
o Analyzing
o Synthesizing
o Applying
1.1 Integration of Learning Outcomes/Objectives
Students will be able to identify the role of a state governor.
Students will be able to identify Pennsylvanias governor and other leaders at the State
level.
Students will be identify key information about State Government by working together
collaboratively in small groups.
1.2 Standards PA Civics, History, Economics, Geography & NCSS Themes I-X
PA Standards
Civics and Government: 5.2.3.C: Identify leadership and public service
opportunities in the school, community, state, and nation.
NCSS
Standard 4: Individual Development and Identity
NCSS.1.4.h -Work independently and cooperatively to accomplish goals
Standard 6: Power, Authority, & Governance
NCSS.1.5.b -Explain the purpose of government

NCSS.1.5.c - Give examples of how government does provide for needs and
wants of people
NCSS.1.5.e - identify representative leaders at these levels such as mayor,
governor, and president;
1.3 Anticipatory Set
To start the teacher can say, Boys and girls, for the past two days we have learned all about the
first level of government, local government. Now, we are going to expand outward regarding our
government into the second level. Today, we are going to discuss what State Government is and
who is in charge in Pennsylvania. Also, we are going to be able to talk with a special guest in
class.
Teacher will say, Just like citizens in the Local Government elect people to lead their
community, citizens elect people to lead their State Government. Raise your hand if have ever
heard the word governor before. Teacher will call on a few students (3 or 4) with their hands
raised and ask them what they believe that governor means.
1.4 Procedures
Teacher will explain that a governor is the head of the states second
branch, which is the executive branch. Then say, We will learn
specifics about the branches tomorrow. But just understand, that the
governor is the leader of each state and makes important decisions for
their state and decides whether a law will be passed or not. Teacher
will have students work in groups to answer the following prompt,
Pretend that you are the governor of Pennsylvania and you have been
given the following law to either veto or sign. You will decide, as a
group, whether or not you will pass the law and why.
o The proposal: There are eight parcels of land that are available for being made
into a state park. By creating the park, many trees will have to be cut down and
animals will have to relocate due to lack of habitat. Also, by creating the park, it
will provide the community with a form of exercise and place for children to play.
o One student from each group will share their decision with the class. Teacher will
say, As you can see, the governor has a lot of responsibility within the state.
Now, lets learn more about State Government.
Teacher will break students into groups of four by counting off, then
ask one person from each group to grab a laptop.
Teacher will hand out worksheets and explain the task by saying, With your group
laptops, you are going to explore the websites written on your worksheet and answer the
questions on your worksheets. This will help you to gain a better understand of
Pennsylvanias State Government. (See Appendix B for worksheet)

Websites being used:

http://www.pa.gov/Government/Pages/default.aspx#.VkKaOMtH0b0 and
http://www.usconsulate.org.hk/pas/kids/state_govt.htm
o Teacher will circulate around the classroom to monitor students progress and as a
form of assessment
o Students will have 10-15 minutes to complete activity
Teacher will gather students back together for whole group discussion of the worksheet.
Teacher will call on a member from each group to share their answer from one of their
questions.
As the students answer, the teacher will write their answers on the blackboard under a
heading that reads Facts about PAs State Government
Teacher will transition into the next activity by saying, While you were exploring the
website and answering questions, you learned about Pennsylvanias governor, Tom Wolf.
Today, we are going to get the amazing opportunity to Skype with our governor and ask
him questions regarding the State Government. I want each group to come up with at
least four questions you would like to ask him.
o Students will get about 10-15 minutes to write down and prepare their questions.
Teacher will pull up Skype on the Interactive Whiteboard.
Students will get about a half hour to ask the Governor their questions.

1.5 Differentiation
For Gifted Students: For students who need more of a challenge, the teacher can
strategically place the gifted students in the same group. For the worksheet/website
activity, supply the group with a more complex set of questions that involve critical
thinking.
For ELL Students: Some students still struggling to learn English may need added
support and accommodations. The teacher can supply these students with an English to
Spanish app on an iPad. In addition to the worksheet/website group activity, the ELL
students will be supplied with a visual aid of the questions. Also, if student can not write
their thoughts, allow them to verbally express it to the best of their ability.
1.6 Closure
Once the students are done with their Skype with Governor Wolf, as their closure activity, the
students will pull out their journals and write a brief letter to the Governor thanking him and
write down one important thing they learned from him. The teacher will gather the letters as a
form of assessment and reference. To bring things all together, the teacher can say something
like: Boys and girls, it was great to learn about the role of a governor and what the State
Government does for us. I enjoyed watching all of you work together in your groups to answer
questions and really loved the way that you interacted with Governor Wolf. I hope you enjoyed
talking with him as much as I did. It was very kind of him to take time out of his busy schedule
to speak with us. Throughout the lesson, you worked together and made important decisions, just
like the State Government does. Tomorrow, we will go into great detail about the branches within
the State Government. Great job today! Thank you for your wonderful participation.

1.7 Formative/Summative Assessment of Students (P-12)

Formative assessment will occur throughout the lesson through teacher observation. The teacher
will observe how the students interact in their groups during the activities, including the
worksheet/website activity and group discussion (learning outcome 1, 2 and 3).
Summative assessment: There will be a culminating test at the end of the unit (learning outcomes
1, 2, and 3).
1.8 Materials/Equipment/Resources
A. STUDENT MATERIALS/ READING RESOURCES:
Laptop with Internet Access
o Website: http://www.pa.gov/Government/Pages/default.aspx#.VkKaOMtH0b0
Worksheet (one per student)
Interactive Whiteboard with SmartBoard technology
Journal (one per student)
Websites (would be useful resources for students):
o http://www.pa.gov/Government/Pages/default.aspx#.VkKaOMtH0b0
o https://kids.usa.gov/learn-about-the-states/index.shtml
o https://kids.usa.gov
o http://educators.brainpop.com/bp-jr-topic/local-and-state-governments/
o http://www.ducksters.com/history/us_state_and_local_governments.php
o http://bensguide.gpo.gov
o http://www.usconsulate.org.hk/pas/kids/state_govt.htm
B. TEACHER MATERIALS/RESOURCES FOR LESSON DESIGN: List resources you used to
design the lesson plan (teacher materials, to provide background on the content, etc
Sample Teacher Lesson Plan: State Government Lesson Plan
o https://www.icivics.org/teachers/lesson-plans/state-governor
o Used for ideas on how to structure my lesson
http://www.pa.gov/Government/Pages/default.aspx#.VkPJcstH0b1
http://www.usconsulate.org.hk/pas/kids/state_govt.htm
o used to create worksheet
Other Websites mostly for building content knowledge:
o http://www.pa.gov/Government/Pages/default.aspx#.VkPJcstH0b1
o https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/state-and-local-government
o http://www.statelocalgov.net
o https://kids.usa.gov/teachers/government/index.shtml
o http://www.loc.gov/teachers/additionalresources/relatedresources/gov/state.html
1.9 Technology
Technology will be used in the lesson in the form of a Skype on the Interactive
Whiteboard. The Skype will be displayed for the students to view and verbally interact
with on the Interactive Whiteboard.

Technology will be used when students use their laptops to explore the given website.
They will need internet access in order to complete the activity.

2.1 Reflection on Planning

While this lesson was enjoyable to create, it took time and an
abundance of research. Before I could start planning, I needed to become
highly knowledgable on the information myself. After that, I was able to
narrow down the content to what I believe was most important for third
graders to know. I believe that the lesson came together well and will be
beneficial to students.
One concern that I do have about the lesson is the amount of time I am
allotting for the anticipatory set. I am aware that the anticipatory set is
supposed to be quick time-wise. I am giving about 6-7 minutes for the
completion of the anticipatory set activity. Even though it may be slightly too
long, I believe it will properly introduce the content and relate to their
background knowledge. If it is too long, it can be changed slightly and
shortened to better suit the lesson.
My favorite part of the lesson is giving the students the opportunity to Skype with
Pennsylvanias State Governor, Tom Wolf. By doing this, it allows the student to become part of
the experience. It gives the students a first-hand account of the responsibilities of the governor
and the role of state government. It makes the lesson more interactive and concrete. I hope that
this will create a strong connection between the content and the activity. Also, I am a strong
proponent for group work. I believe that it enhances a students overall learning through
collaboration, which is why I incorporated it within my lesson.
Appendix A: Content Outline
c. Core Activity 2: State Government
i. Skill and Strategy: Main Idea and Details
ii. Background: Governors
1. Most states, 4-year term (except Vermont and New Hampshire with 2-year
term)
2. Leader of states exec. Branch must enforce state laws
a. Appoints leaders to make sure safety, environmental, other laws are
followed
iii. What is State Government

Leaders of state government work in state capitol

Capitol: building where leaders meet to make laws

What is the capital of PA? (Harrisburg)

Each state has own constitution

Each different, but share common characteristics

Three branches

All three branches of state government work together to run the

state.

1. Three Branches of State Government

a. Lawmakers represent people of their communities
i. Tell what communities need
ii. Write laws to improve state
b. Law voted for goes to governor
i. Governor: head of the states second branch
ii. Carry out state laws, signs laws to make official, veto if not
agree
iii. Who is the PA governor?
1. What has he/she done so far in their position?

c. Courts
i. Judges make sure laws follow the state and national
constitutions
ii. Decide if laws have been broken
1. If so, decides punishment
d. Leveled Practice
i. Extra Support
1. Tell which branch youd like to work in and why
2. Explain what job would involve (information from
lesson)
ii. Challenge
1. Write a class constitution
a. What rules are important to follow
iii. ELL
1. Write lawmakers, governor, court member, judge
2. Draw picture of words

3. Write word and a sentence describing word and

picture
iv. States Offer Services
1. Like local government, state government provides services to citizens.
a. Paid for by taxes
b. Governor plans how to spend
2. Departments in charge of different services
a. State police
b. Protect state land
c. Learning and education
3. The States and the Nation
a. Government that leads the nation: national government
b. State and national governments work together
i. National government makes approves highway plans, state
government plans, builds fixes highways
4. Activities
a. Art: Tax Dollars at Work
i. More examples of government services
ii. Illustrate 2 examples, write short paragraphs explaining
importance
b. Language Arts: Write a Biography
i. Research state governor and write a short report
ii. Include all laws that governor has signed or important issues
in state at this time
v. Extend Lesson 2: Geography State Capitols

Appendix B: Worksheet
Name____________________________________________

Date: ___________________

Exploring Pennsylvanias State Government

Directions: Please answer the following questions by using these two websites:
http://www.pa.gov/Government/Pages/default.aspx#.VkPJcstH0b1
http://www.usconsulate.org.hk/pas/kids/state_govt.htm
1. Find the name of the following State Government members:
Governor:
First Lady:
Lt. Governor:
Cabinet and Executive Officials (only the two head members):
2. Describe what each of the members from the previous question do for the State Government.

3. What type of services does the State Government provide to its people?

4. What are the three branches within the State Government?

5. What type of things does the Governor use tax money for? (3 things)

6. What is the building leaders make the laws called?