Virginia SOL 3.9.d
The Standard
explaining what governments do at the national, state, and local levels
Virginia Standards of Learning for History and Social Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify which level of government handles specific jobs and services. They explain why a national, state, or local government is responsible for each example.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students correctly sort examples such as national defense, state highways, and local fire protection. They support each choice with a clear reason tied to the area served.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think the president controls all government services or that mayors make state laws. They may also confuse state and national responsibilities when both levels work on roads, schools, or safety.
How to Assess It
- Give students three items: national defense, issuing driver’s licenses, and collecting neighborhood trash. Have them name the responsible level and explain one choice.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Label three boxes national, state, and local, then have students sort job cards such as mail delivery, state parks, and police services.
Ask students to write which government level should repair a damaged neighborhood playground and explain why.
Play Government Level Corners by reading a responsibility aloud and having students move to the national, state, or local corner.
Examine a school bus, road sign, and postage stamp, then connect each object to the government level involved.
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Printable 3.9.d Worksheet
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Related Standards
- 3.9.a
explaining the purpose of governments and understanding that other countries have governments similar to and different from that of the United States;
- 3.9.e
explaining how local, state, and national governments are organized
- CE.4.c
comparing and contrasting powers and responsibilities of local, state, federal, and tribal governments, including, but not limited to citizen engagement, how ea...
- CE.4.a
describing the structure and powers of the local government and explaining the local lawmaking process;
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