Community Captains Teacher Guide Community Captains
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Grade: 3rd
Duration: 45 Minutes
Subject: Social Studies
Learning Standards
SS.CG.3.1: Describe and identify the basic functions of local government, including tribal governments.
Learning Objectives
Identify roles in local government (Mayor, City Council).
Identify roles in tribal government (Tribal Council, Chair).
Explain 3 services provided by local/tribal governments.
Essential Materials
Local Leaders Slides
Governance Grid Worksheet
Town Hall Task Cards
Lesson Flow
5 MIN
The "Who's in Charge?" Hook
Ask students: "Who makes sure our trash is picked up? Who decides where new parks go?" Discuss that even though we have a big government in Washington D.C., our local communities have their own leaders who take care of our immediate needs.
15 MIN
Local & Tribal Overview (Slides)
Use the Local Leaders Slides to define:
City/Town Government: Mayor (Executive) and City Council (Legislative).Tribal Government: Tribal Council and Tribal Chairperson/President.Services: Public safety (police/fire), infrastructure (roads/water), and community well-being (parks/schools).
Note: Montana is home to 8 tribal nations. Emphasize that tribal governments are sovereign, meaning they have the authority to govern their own people and land.
15 MIN
Town Hall Task Cards
Divide students into small "Councils." Give each group a Town Hall Task Card . They must decide: 1. Is this a local or tribal issue? 2. Which leader would handle it? 3. What is their decision?
10 MIN
Governance Grid & Reflection
Students complete the Governance Grid Worksheet individually to demonstrate their understanding of the different roles and services.
Deep Dive Questions
1. Why is it important to have both local and tribal governments in Montana?
Anticipated Answer: To make sure the specific needs of different communities are met by people who live there and understand the culture/history.
2. How is a Tribal Council similar to a City Council?
Anticipated Answer: Both are groups of people elected to make laws and decisions for the community.
Local Leaders Slides Local Leaders
Governance in our Montana Communities
City Hall
Tribal Council
Who makes the rules in your neighborhood?
Governments are groups of people who make laws and provide services to keep a community safe, healthy, and organized.
City & Town Leaders
The Mayor
The Executive leader. They carry out laws and manage the daily work of the city.
City Council
The Legislative group. They vote on new laws (ordinances) and the city's budget.
Tribal Government
Tribal Chair/President
The head of the executive branch who leads the tribal nation and represents them to others.
Tribal Council
Elected representatives who make laws and decisions for the tribal community and land.
Sovereignty
Montana is home to 8 Tribal Nations.
Tribal Sovereignty means tribal governments have the authority to govern their own people, lands, and resources.
What do they provide?
Safety
Police, Fire, & Emergency Rescue
Infrastructure
Road Repairs, Water, & Snow Plowing
Community
Parks, Libraries, & Schools
Better Together
Local governments and tribal governments often work together on things like protecting the environment, health care, and transportation in Montana.
Cooperation
Governance Grid Worksheet Governance Grid
Community Leaders & Services
Name:
Date:
1
Who Are They?
Draw a line to match the leader to their correct description.
Mayor
Tribal Council
City Council
Tribal Chair
The head leader of a tribal nation.
The executive leader of a city or town.
Elected people who make laws for a city.
Elected people who make laws for a tribe.
2
Service Station
Circle all the things that local or tribal governments provide for their community.
Fire Dept
Video Games
Garbage Pickup
Public Library
Pizza Delivery
Police Safety
3
Why It Matters
Choose one community service from above. Why is it important for a local or tribal government to take care of this?
Town Hall Task Cards Scenario A
The New Playground
A group of kids in the city wants a new playground with better slides and swings. They have collected 50 signatures on a petition.
Team Discussion:
Is this a City or Tribal issue?
Who decides if there is enough money for a park?
What is your Council's decision?
Scenario B
River Protection
A local factory is accidentally leaking chemicals into the river on tribal land. The fish are getting sick.
Team Discussion:
Is this a City or Tribal issue?
Why does Tribal Sovereignty matter here?
What is your Council's first step?
Scenario C
The Big Blizzard
A huge snowstorm has blocked the streets in town. People can't get to work or the grocery store.
Team Discussion:
Which city department handles snow plows?
Who should the citizens call to complain?
How will you prioritize which roads to clear?
Scenario D
Culture & Language
Tribal elders want to start a new school program to teach their traditional language to all children in the tribe.
Team Discussion:
Who should the elders talk to about this?
Why is this service important for a tribal nation?
How will you support this program?
