Beacon Lesson Plan Library

Can We Live Without Government?

Clifford Snipe

Description

This lesson helps students understand the role that government plays in the lives of its citizens and how the government protects individual rights.

Standards

Florida Sunshine State Standards
SS.C.1.3.2
The student understands major ideas about why government is necessary and the purposes government should serve.

Florida Process Standards
Information Managers
01 Florida students locate, comprehend, interpret, evaluate, maintain, and apply information, concepts, and ideas found in literature, the arts, symbols, recordings, video and other graphic displays, and computer files in order to perform tasks and/or for enjoyment.

Materials

-Computer with Internet access
-3x5 note cards
-Pencil
-Writing paper
-Highlighter

Preparations

1. Print Web Link articles and make copies for each student.
2. Facilitate open discussion.

Procedures

Prerequisites: Students are competent in writing essays that meet the Florida Writes standards.

1. Ask students, "Do we need government?" Enter into discussion.

2. State that the purpose of the lesson is to help students understand the role government plays in the lives of its citizens and how the government protects individual rights.

3. Distribute the articles from the Internet website.

4. Allow students time to read and highlight important facts.

5. Facilitate a discussion on what makes government necessary and its purpose (protects individual rights, provides legislation and a court system, and provides services to its citizens).

6. Students take notes on the notecards during discussion.

7. Recap the discussion and review the Checklist in Attached File.

8. Assign the writing prompt. Why is government necessary and what is the purpose of government?

9. Students write essay with concepts taught in this lesson (see Checklist in Attached File).

10. Student submits essay and eight note cards.

11. Teacher evaluates essay.

Assessments

-Student's essay should contain the three areas from the checklist and at least one sub-point from each area to satisfactory complete this assignment.
Assess student's essay by using the attached checklist.

Web Links

Web supplement for Can We Live Without Government?
Free Republic

Web supplement for Can We Live Without Government?
Importance of Philosphy

Web supplement for Can We Live Without Government?
The Necessity of Government

Web supplement for Can We Live Without Government?
Politics

Attached Files

A checklist to help assess the essay content. File Extension: pdf