Idaho Social Studies 3.SS.4.3

Social Studies3rd GradeCivics and Government

The Standard

Identify and explain the basic functions of local and state governments.

Idaho Content Standards: K-12 Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify jobs handled by local government and jobs handled by state government. They explain how each government serves people in a town or across the state.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can match city park repairs to local government and state highway repairs to state government. They can explain why a statewide law applies beyond one town.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think the state fixes every road, including city streets. They may think a mayor makes laws for the whole state.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: A city park needs a new swing, and a law will apply across the state. Which government handles each job? Explain your choices.

Lesson moves

Have students sort cards labeled city park repair, city street repair, state highway repair, and statewide law into local and state piles.
Ask, 'Who should fix a broken swing in a city park? Who should make a law for the whole state? Why?'
Play Government Match: name a job and have students hold up a local or state card, then explain their choice.
Use a local map to find a city park and a state highway, then label which government maintains each.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 3.SS.4.3, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.