3rd grade · Social Studies · Unit 9 of 9
Rules, Laws & Government
Three branches and local leaders
What your child practices
Why we have rules, laws and the Constitution, the three branches of government with a focus on cities and counties, and how California, the other states and tribal nations each govern.
California Content Standards learning standard: 3.4.1; 3.4.4; 3.4.5 · reasons for rules, laws and the Constitution, the three branches of government with an emphasis on local government, and the governments of states and sovereign American Indian tribes
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Which is a way citizens take part in local government?
- Ignore all rules
- Speak at a city council meeting
- Hide
- Litter
Speak at a city council meeting
Hint: Citizens can share ideas.
Question 2
Local taxes help pay for…
- private cars
- toys for each family
- parks, libraries, police and firefighters
- vacations
parks, libraries, police and firefighters
Hint: Taxes pay for things we share.
Question 3
The judicial branch…
- makes all laws
- collects trash
- decides what laws mean in court cases
- builds roads
decides what laws mean in court cases
Hint: Judges work in courts.
Question 4
The state capitol building is where…
- movies are made
- state lawmakers meet
- trains are kept
- sports games happen
state lawmakers meet
Hint: California's is in Sacramento.
Question 5
The legislative branch…
- runs schools
- decides court cases
- enforces laws only
- makes laws
makes laws
Hint: Legislators write laws.
Question 6
A tribal government can…
- make laws for its own lands and people
- choose the president
- make laws for all of California
- run every city
make laws for its own lands and people
Hint: Tribes are sovereign.