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3rd grade · Social Studies · Unit 5 of 6

Governing Alaska

The Governor, the Legislature, boroughs and Tribes

What your child practices

How Alaska is governed: the three branches of state government in Juneau, the Legislature's 40 representatives and 20 senators, how a bill becomes law, boroughs and cities, Tribal governments, and the rights and responsibilities of Alaska residents.

Alaska content standards learning standard: SS.3.5.6.1; SS.3.1.9.1; SS.3.1.10.1; SS.3.2.8.1 · the structure of state and Tribal governments in Alaska, how Alaska's laws are made, and the rights and responsibilities of residents

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Alaska’s government meets in Juneau and has three branches.
  2. The Legislature makes laws, with 40 representatives and 20 senators. The Governor carries them out. Courts decide what they mean.
  3. Boroughs, cities and Tribal governments serve communities.

Example: Which branch makes Alaska’s laws? The Governor carries out laws. The lawmakers are the Legislature. Answer: the legislative branch (the Legislature)

Governing Alaska in Alaska

In the Alaska content standards, this is unit 5 of 6 in 3rd grade Social Studies, after Alaska Through Time and before Alaska Native Cultures.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    The executive branch…

    • decides court cases
    • carries out and enforces laws
    • writes laws

  2. Question 2

    A responsibility of an Alaska resident is to…

    • follow the laws
    • ignore neighbors
    • skip school

  3. Question 3

    A Tribal government…

    • only plans parties
    • runs a different country
    • makes decisions for a Tribe and its members

  4. Question 4

    How many members are in the Alaska Senate?

    • 40
    • 20
    • 50

  5. Question 5

    When the Governor refuses to sign a bill, it is called a…

    • veto
    • vote
    • verdict

  6. Question 6

    Splitting power among three branches so no one branch has too much is called…

    • taxes
    • elections
    • checks and balances

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