Community Captains Worksheet
Community Captains
Government & Citizenship Reading Passage
Name:
Date:
The Rule of the Land
Have you ever wondered who decides where a stop sign goes? Or who makes sure our schools are safe? This is the job of the government. A government is a group of people that sets rules and provides services for a community. In the United States, our government is divided into three parts, or "branches." Each branch has a different job so that no one person has all the power.
The first part is the Legislative branch. This group is called Congress. Their main job is to write and vote on new laws. The second part is the Executive branch. The President is the leader of this branch. Their job is to make sure the laws are followed. The third part is the Judicial branch. This branch is made up of courts and judges. They explain what the laws mean and decide if a law has been broken.
But the government isn't the only thing that matters. Citizens are important, too! A citizen is a member of a community. Being a good citizen means more than just living in a place. It means helping out and following the rules. Good citizens vote in elections, volunteer to clean up parks, and respect their neighbors. When the government and citizens work together, our community stays strong and happy.
Check Your Understanding
1. What is the main purpose of a government according to the passage?
To build stop signs only
To set rules and provide services
To tell people what to wear
To cancel all schools
2. Which branch of government is responsible for writing and voting on new laws?
The Executive branch
The Judicial branch
The Legislative branch
The Citizen branch
3. Who is the leader of the Executive branch?
The President
The Supreme Court
The Principal
A volunteer
4. What is the main job of the Judicial branch?
To lead the Executive branch and the President
To explain laws and decide if a law has been broken
To vote on new laws in Congress each year
5. Based on the passage, which action is an example of being a good citizen?
Making your own laws for your community and friends
Respecting neighbors and volunteering to help out
CITIZEN REFLECTION
What is one thing YOU can do this week to be a good citizen in your classroom?
Community Captains Answer Key
Answer Key
Community Captains
To set rules and provide services for a community
Paragraph 1 defines government as a group that sets rules and provides services.
The Legislative branch
Paragraph 2 identifies Congress as the Legislative branch whose job is to write and vote on laws.
The President
Paragraph 2 states the President is the leader of the Executive branch.
To explain laws and decide if a law has been broken
Paragraph 2 explains that courts and judges explain laws and decide if they've been broken.
Respecting neighbors and volunteering
Paragraph 3 lists volunteering and respecting neighbors as qualities of a good citizen.
Instructional Strategy
After completing the worksheet, lead a class discussion on "Checks and Balances." Ask students: "Why is it helpful to have three separate branches instead of one person in charge of everything?" Connect this to classroom roles (teacher, student leader, principal) to make it concrete.
