State and Local Government
Session 3: The Big Picture

Materials

• Textbook
• Transparency: “Three Branches of State Government” (Attachment C)
• Handout: “The Big Picture” (Attachment D)

Instructional Activities

1. Display the transparency (Attachment C), and have students name each of the three branches of state government. Explain that the principle of separation of powers and checks and balances operates at the state level in the same way as it does at the national level. Ask students to state these principles and to predict how they would work at the state level.

2. Distribute the student handout, “The Big Picture” (Attachment D). Ask students to read the handout.
   
   
3. As a class, fill in information from the handout onto an overview chart drawn on the board (or as a transparency). Explain that tomorrow the class will begin their study of state government with the Legislative Branch.