Government

=  = = = = = =Role of Government= 1. Explain reasons for the creation of governments such as: a. Protecting lives, liberty and property; b. Providing services that individuals cannot provide for themselves.

2. Describe how the world is divided into countries that claim sovereignty over territory, and countries may be further divided into states or provinces that contain cities and towns. http://www.mrnussbaum.com/countriescode2.htm This interactive map of the world has hotspots for each country. Simply mouse over a coutry and you will get detailed information including name, flag, population, area, capital, and description. **United States Interactive Map ** http://www.mrnussbaum.com/stateimageindex.htm This is an interactive map of the United States. When you click on any state, you get info about it including flag, capital, population, area, motto, and much more. Then you can click a "Home Page" link to go to an interactive map specific to that state with even more information. http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/mapsouthamerica/ This lesson is a very good introduction to South America. In it, students are asked to brainstorm what they already know about the continent and then are broken down into groups to study various parts of the continents geography.
 * Interactive World Map **
 * Discovery Education**

3. Explain the ways that countries interact with each other including: a. Diplomacy; b. Treaties; c. International meetings and exchanges (e.g., United Nations); d. Military conflict. http://catlinclassroom.si.edu/lessonplans/al-b.html This is a lesson on the relationships built between Native Americans and early American government structures. Students are asked to create a timeline of the treaties made between Native American tribes and various governmental entities in the early history of the U.S.
 * Campfire Stories**

=Systems of Government=

4. Describe the defining characteristics of democracies, monarchies and dictatorships. http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/government/index.htm An easy to follow site with links to each type of government. Follow the "States" link to discover the differences between a monarchy, an oligarchy, a dictatorship, and a democracy http://www.nationmaster.com/index.php This lesson unit is good, but is specific to learning the various types of world governments
 * Comparing Monarchy,Oligarchy,Dictatorship and Democracy **
 * Nation Master**