Civic Planner Teacher Guide Civic Planner
Teacher Lesson Guide • Grade 3 Social Studies
45-50 MINUTE SESSION
Objectives
Students will visualize local government services by creating a town map and explaining how tax money supports these services.
Materials
Large Drawing Paper
Colored Pencils & Rulers
City Service Checklist
Town Architects Slides
Key Concept
Local governments (Mayors/Councils) manage daily needs like garbage, parks, and safety using tax money.
Lesson Procedure
05
Warm-Up: Brainstorm
Ask: "Who takes care of the park? Who picks up the trash?" List student ideas on the board. Introduce the concept of Government Services .
05
Viewing: Local Government Video
Watch the video. Use the slides to pause at key moments (0:44, 2:03, 2:52, 3:24) to discuss the differences between state and local roles.
25
Main Activity: Community Map
Distribute large paper and the City Service Checklist . Students design a town including at least 4 specific services mentioned in the video.
10
Reflection & Extension
Students complete the caption on their checklist explaining tax money. Conduct a pair-share reflection: "What happens if the local government stops working?"
Discussion Anchors
• "The Governor is like a manager—how is leading a state like managing a team?"
• "If you saw a broken swing in our town, where would you go to fix it?"
Map Assessment Rubric
Criteria Excellent (3) Satisfactory (2) Needs Improvement (1) Content 4+ local government services included and labeled correctly. 3 local government services included. Fewer than 3 services or missing labels. Visual Clarity Map is neat, uses color effectively, and labels are legible. Map is mostly clear; some labels hard to read. Messy or difficult to understand. Reflection Deep insight into how government absence affects town safety/order. Identifies a basic problem caused by missing government. Incomplete or vague reflection. Tax Extension Clear explanation linking taxes to specific community benefits. Mentions taxes pay for things but lacks detail. Does not mention taxes or incorrect explanation.
Vocabulary Support
Executive Branch
The leader who enforces rules (Governor or Mayor).
Legislative Branch
The group that makes laws (Lawmakers or Council).
Judicial Branch
The system of courts and judges that interprets laws.
Taxes
Money citizens pay to the government to fund services.
City Service Checklist City Service Checklist
Use this to plan and label your Community Map!
Name
Date
Local Government Map Elements
Include and label at least **FOUR** of these in your town:
Public Park
With safe, working swings!
Fire Station
Keeping homes and businesses safe.
Police Station
Helping keep the town orderly.
Garbage Service
Keeping our streets clean.
Snow Plows
Clearing the roads in winter.
Public School
A place for everyone to learn.
Reflection Time
If the local government suddenly stopped working, what would happen to the town on your map?
Map Caption
Explain how tax money pays for the things on your map:
Town Architects Slides Town Architects
Building Community through Government Services
Warm-Up Brainstorm
Think about your neighborhood...
Who picks up the trash?
Who takes care of the park?
Who clears the snow?
Share your ideas with the class!
Watch & Learn
Embedded media
Video: Local Government Roles in Daily Life
Discussion Point
What is a Government?
"A government is a group of people that has the power to rule over a community."
What are some rules we have in our classroom community?
Who is the Boss?
S
State
The Governor
Whole State Policies
National Guard
Appointing Judges
L
Local
The Mayor
Parks & Playgrounds
Trash & Snow
Local Safety
The Community Map
Design your own town! You must include and label at least 4 elements controlled by local government:
Safe Parks
Garbage Routes
Snow Plowing
Fire Stations
Expert Tip:
Use your ruler for clean roads and your colored pencils to make it pop!
Pair-Share Challenge
"If the local government stopped working today, what would happen to the town on your map?"
Talk with your neighbor for 2 minutes!