Teachers' Guide - Art

Early Elementary Grade Lesson Plan

Learning objective:
At the conclusion of this lesson the student will demonstrate the ability to:

• Describe the purpose of government and how governments function (TEKS Social Studies – Grade 2)

• Identify examples of governmental services (TEKS Social Studies – Grade 2)

Materials needed:

• Picture of government offices in Texas (Capitol building, etc.)

• White Paper

• Paints (or colored markers)

• Manila envelope for sending artwork in to Letters for Leaders

• Cover page with teacher/classroom contact information

Teaching approach:

• Engage students in a discussion of the role of government.

• What are some things leaders in the government do for all of us?

• Help students think through the difference between things in life that don't usually involve government because they only affect one person or a small group (e.g., what your parents feed you for dinner, what toys you have to play with, when bedtime happens) vs. things that may affect many people (whether the farms that grow food are able to give us healthy fruits and vegetables; whether there are good schools to go to, safe roads to drive on, lights on streets at night, police and firefighters to protect us; etc.)

• Show students news clippings or pictures of government buildings, such as the Capitol. Explain that the people who work there are our leaders, and they are doing jobs for government that affect all of us in Texas. Explain that our elected officials represent the people of Texas.
  

• Tell students that leaders such as the governor like to hear from the people they work for—us—and that they like to get ideas about what they can do to help Texas.

• Ask students to demonstrate their own "idea for Texas." Discuss some of the ideas as a class and write ideas on the chalkboard.

• Have students paint or illustrate with markers a picture that addresses the topic: My idea for Texas
  

• Be sure each student puts his or her name on the back of the artwork in pencil.

• Once the art has dried, put the submissions in the manila envelope. Point out that you have included the school's return address so that leaders can write back to the students. Send envelope of letters to: Letters to Leaders, c/o Texans Care for Children, 811 Trinity, Suite A, Austin, Texas 78701

Other Lesson Plans and Resources for this Age Group:

• At the Project Presidency website, adapt the lesson and letter called "Dear Mr. President” to be for the Texas governor. http://macmillanmh.com/projectpresidency/teacher_resources/pdf/Dear_Mr_President_K-6.pdf

• See Brain POP Jr's activities on local and state government at: http://www.brainpopjr.com/socialstudies/government/localandstategovernments/grownups.weml

• Visit the Texas Kids' House website pages for "Tenderfoots,” as well as the Teachers' Corrall, and the Texas Senate Kids pages at: http://kids.house.state.tx.us/tenderfoots/index.htm and http://www.senate.state.tx.us/