Chapter 2, Lesson 2We the People

Americans have a strong voice in howthe government of the nation is elected, organized, and run.

FOCUS ON THE MAIN IDEA

Citizens of the United States elect representatives who make and enforce laws.

PLACES:

Washington, D.C.

VOCABULARY WORDS:

1. government- the laws that are followed and the people that run a country.

2. republic- a type of government in which people elect leaders to represent them.

3. represent- the act of leaders making decisions for those who elected them.

4. democracy- a system of government in which every citizen has a right to take part.

5. citizen- an official member of a country.

6. Constitution- the written plan for governing the United States of America.

7. federal- a system of government in which the national and state governments share power.

8. legislative branch- the part of government that makes laws.

9. Capitol- the building where the Congress of the United States meets.

10.executive branch- the part of the government that enforces the laws.

11.White House- the place where the President of the U.S. lives and works.

12.judicial branch- the part of government, made up of courts and judges, that interprets laws.

13.Supreme Court- the highest court in the United States

14.amendment- a change to the Constitution of the U.S.

15. Bill of Rights- the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution; they state the basic rights of U.S. citizens

Shoulder Partner Activity

Read pages 46-47 quietly with your shoulder partner and answer the

questions on the next slide.

Be sure to answer in complete sentences and volume is at level 1.

A Government for the People

1. What are some of the jobs the government does?

2. Why is “government for the people” a good way to summarize these jobs?

3. Explain how the term representative democracy describes the United States.

4. How do you think the picture on page 47 relates to the functions of our government.

ANSWERS!

1. Some of the jobs done by the government include protecting the water supply, building and maintaining roads, delivers mail, and protects people.

2. All of the government jobs benefit the people.3. Citizens elect people to represent them in our

government, a democracy.4. The picture shows the inaguration of a leader,

the President.

The Three Levels of GovernmentLocal- village, town, city, and parish government.State- government set up by the people of each state.National- the government of our entire country.