Grade 4 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 13, Lesson 2

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
Oh, California

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 13, Lesson 2 California Government (pp. 296-300)

The Big Idea
Framework Concepts: Continuity and Change Certain environmental problems require the efforts of state government.

Write the following sentences on the board using each of the key terms:

Lawmakers chosen by the citizens of California make up the legislative branch of state government.
The governor is the highest official of state government.
The executive branch of state government has the power to see that the state's laws are carried out. It is made up of the governor and agencies that conduct the business of the government.
Judges and courts are part of the judicial branch of state government, deciding if a law is constitutional and punishing those who break state laws.
Pollution can make the groundwater impure.

Have students use the context of the sentences to explain the meanings of these words.

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Students can write about how a bill makes its way through the state government and becomes law. Have them also include the possible affects of this law.
Have students make a chart using symbols for the different branches of the state government, and then explain how each branch might help to fight pollution.

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