State and Local Government
Session 5: Local Government

Materials

• Information on selection of local government officials
• Overhead projector

Instructional Activities

1. Remind students they that have studied the organization of the national and state governments. Further explain that local governments exist to provide services not provided by the larger governments. Ask students if they know the various types of local governments in Virginia. 
   
   
2. Place the following list on the board or overhead and ask students if they know what level of government provides the following services. Remind them that some services may be provided at more than one level:
   •    Military
   •    Fire departments
   •    Police protection
   •    Water
   •    Sewage
   •    Parks and recreation
   •    Automobile registration
   •    Schools
   •    Road and bridge construction
   •    Product safety regulations
   •    Air Traffic Safety regulations
   •    Environmental protection
   •    Additional services (teacher should insert those desired)
   
   
3. Explain that it takes several layers of government to provide the various services required by a modern population.
   
   
4. Display the following list on the board or overhead transparency, and instruct students to develop a definition, using available resources, for each type of local government and elected official in Virginia. How officials are selected should be included. In addition, instruct the students to identify their local government types:
   •    County
   •    Independent city
   •    Incorporated town
   •    Board of supervisors
   •    Council
   •    Regional authority
   
   
5. Review the student descriptions of the local government types.
   
   
6. Assign a teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or other reinforcement activity using available teacher resources.