State and Local Government
Session 1: State Government, Executive and Legislative Branches: Part 1

Materials

• Names of Virginia State government officers and local representatives to the General Assembly

Instructional Activities

1. Ask students to identify the individuals in the following Virginia government positions:
   •    Governor (Executive)
   •    Lieutenant Governor (Executive)
   •    Attorney General (Executive)
   •    Their House of Delegates Representative (Legislature)
   •    Their Virginia Senate Representative (Legislature)
   
   
2. Ask the students to provide the correct names as positions are recorded on an overhead transparency. (Prepare in advance a transparency of the correct Delegates and Senators from the districts(s) in which students reside.)
   
   
3. Explain that the Virginia Constitution provides for a government organization similar to that of the United States government, with three branches.
   
   
4. Place the following note on the board or overhead transparency:
   
   The legislative branch of Virginia is known as the General Assembly. It is the oldest continuous legislative body in the Americas. The General Assembly is a bicameral (two-house) law-making body.
   
   
5. Discuss with the class the significance of this statement. Ask them why they think Virginia’s legislature is so old.
   
   
6. Instruct students to work in groups to prepare a series of statements describing the duties of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. Assign groups one of these positions (several groups may work on the same position). After a sufficient time period, instruct each group to report their findings to the class. As they report, ensure that all the information from the essential knowledge in Standard GOVT.8a has been identified.
   
   
7. Assign a teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or other reinforcement activity, using available teacher resources.