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4th grade · Social Studies · Unit 5 of 10

Governing New York

Federal, state and local government

What your child practices

The three branches of the federal government, the New York State Constitution, the governor, Senate and Assembly in Albany, how a bill becomes a law, the state seal, counties, cities, towns, villages and boroughs, and citizens' rights and responsibilities.

New York State Learning Standards learning standard: 4.4; 4.4a; 4.4b; 4.4c; 4.4d; 4.4e · the levels and branches of government, New York's constitution and local governments, and citizens' rights and responsibilities

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. The federal government has three branches: legislative, executive and judicial.
  2. New York’s governor, Senate and Assembly work in Albany under the state constitution.
  3. Counties, cities, towns and villages give local services like fire departments and trash pickup.

Example: Where do New York’s Senate and Assembly meet? They meet in the state capital. New York’s capital is Albany. Answer: Albany

Governing New York in New York

In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 5 of 10 in 4th grade Social Studies, after Wars for New York and before Freedom & Rights.

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: New York State Education Department (NYSED)

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

    Who leads the executive branch of New York State?

    • the county clerk
    • the president
    • the mayor
    • the governor

  2. Question 2

    If you see something unsafe at school, you should…

    • post about it
    • tell a trusted adult
    • ignore it
    • keep it a secret

  3. Question 3

    Local government in New York is organized into…

    • counties, cities, towns and villages
    • provinces and territories
    • kingdoms and colonies
    • states and countries

  4. Question 4

    Which is a responsibility of citizens?

    • obeying laws
    • littering
    • skipping school
    • breaking rules

  5. Question 5

    New York's state legislature has two parts, the Senate and the…

    • Congress
    • Assembly
    • Cabinet
    • City Council

  6. Question 6

    New York State's first capital, in 1777, was…

    • Buffalo
    • Albany
    • Kingston
    • New York City

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