types of government assignments

Lesson Plan

Students learn about the different forms of government that exist, including democracy, autocracy, oligarchy, and others. They compare and contrast these forms, and they look at real-life examples in the world today. 

iCivics en español! Student and class materials for this lesson are available in Spanish.

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Get access to lesson plans, teacher guides, student handouts, and other teaching materials.

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Related Resources

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Classroom Activities and Project Ideas for American Government, Forming a New Nation

These are classroom activities and project ideas for kids and teachers to use in your American History Unit Study of Forming a New Nation, the creation of a new government - Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and 3 Branches of Government. These activities and projects can be adjusted for any grade. We hope you'll find some ideas you can use.

Inquiry Project : Why did the new nation want a different form of government from British rule?

Inquiry Project: What are some of the challenges that faced the new nation and what did they do about it?

Donn, Group Activity: Building the Constitution (middle school and high school): Prepare a handout prior to class that is a list of things not found in the Constitution, but do not tell your students that these things are not in the Constitution.  http://www.usconstitution.net/constnot.html . Pass out the list. As a class activity, ask students what is and what is not, in the Constitution from this list. Take a class vote (by show of hands) on each item on the list and post the yes or no vote (majority rules) on your blackboard, whiteboard, or overhead next to the item on the list. THEN, hand out copies of the Constitution. Move students into groups. Assign each group 5 or 6 items to find in the Constitution from your list. Allow 20 - 30 minutes for search. Have each group report their findings. Some groups may think they have found reference to the list item(s) you assigned them. But actually, none of the items on the list can be found in the Constitution. It's amazing what is not there. Conclude activity by having each group come up with one or two things that they believe should have been included in the constitution that were not. Give them a few minutes. Then have each group share their ideas. Prior to lesson 2, list all or some of the items the groups believed should have been included on the original constitution. Have that list ready as a handout prior to lesson 2. Lesson 2: Building the Constitution: Activity: Amendments, the Bill of Rights

Donn, Mock Trial Activity: The Big Bad Wolf on Trial (middle and high school):  Explain to the kids that a mock trial is a pretend trial. In our classroom, we put the big bad wolf on trial every year for the murder of little red riding hood, with one trial per class. Start with: The Story of Little Red Riding Hood from the Kids Academy  because it has a happy ending. Or adjust for any story you chose about Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf. Next, I share with the kids this true story: In one class (not ours unfortunately) the key witness for the prosecution stated that he saw the big bad wolf slip a bloody knife into his jacket pocket and then saw the big bad wolf run away from little red riding hood's house. The student who was acting the part of the defense attorney looked up quickly. She grabbed the "wolf's" jacket that had been introduced as evidence by the prosecuting attorney a little earlier in the trial, and asked the witness: "Is this the jacket?" The witness said yes. She handed the jacket to the witness and said: "Could you show me which pocket please?" The witness hunted but could find NO pocket in the jacket! Without evidence, the jury had no choice but to find the wolf innocent of all wrong doing! At the conclusion of the trial, this class gave the defense attorney a standing ovation! It's important to include this story because the kids are more aware of the importance of witness testimony, of evidence, and how you might discredit a witness and/or evidence. After you share this story, organize your class in prep for your own mock trial activity. If they need help in their small group, remind them to ask themselves - what if the witness says .... and prep from there. Assign roles, but that's it. The kids will run with it. It takes some prep, but this lesson is a winner.

Donn, Local Government Simulation:

Simulate a Mid-Atlantic town meeting, called to discuss problems of the diverse backgrounds of townspeople.

Preparation: Create several personalities, one each on a 3×5 card. Include background, occupation, etc., per card.

Put the cards in a hat. Have the kids each draw a card.

Stay in character. 2 day activity.

Inquiry Project: Can the structure of the U.S. government prevent a dictatorship?

Inquiry Project: What happens when a state does not want to follow federal law?

Inquiry Project: Is voting worth the time?

Role Play Activity: Separation of Power, Who's Got the Power?

Simulation: Separation of Power, What's for Lunch? handout and What's for Lunch?

Group Activity: 3 Branches of Government, the Power Grab Game

Group Activity, Class Competition: Claim your powers!

Inquiry Based Project: What makes a good president?

Projects: US Civics and Constitution Projects - an interesting and long of ideas

Americans experiment with types of government in the Articles of Confederation

Choose Your Own Adventure from over 70 different classroom activities and possible assignments

American Government Lesson Plans with Classroom Activities - Declaration, Constitution, Bill of Rights, 3 Branches and more

American Government Free Interactive Games

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American Government for Kids

Guidelines for Conducting a Mock Trial in the Classroom

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13.5: Outcome: Types of Government

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Describe forms of government and explain politics in the United States

Nations are governed by different political systems, including monarchies, oligarchies, dictatorships, and democracies. Generally speaking, citizens of nations wherein power is concentrated in one leader or a small group are more likely to suffer violations of civil liberties and experience economic inequality. Many nations that are today organized around democratic ideals started out as monarchies or dictatorships but have evolved into more egalitarian systems. Democratic ideals, although hard to implement and achieve, promote basic human rights and justice for all citizens.

The success and validity of U.S. democracy hinges on free, fair elections that are characterized by the support and participation of diverse citizens. In this section, we’ll examine political systems and take a look at how politics work in the United States.

What You’ll Learn To Do:

• Define common forms of government: monarchy, oligarchy, dictatorship, democracy
• Compare common forms of government and identify real-life examples of each
• Discuss how voter participation affects politics in the U.S. and the significance of “one person, one vote”
• Explore the influence of race, gender, and class issues on the voting process

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

The learning activities for this section include:

• Reading: Forms of Government
• Reading: Politics in the United States
• Self-Check: Types of Government
• Objectives and Activities. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
• Introduction to Sociology 2e. Authored by : OpenStax CNX. Located at : http://cnx.org/contents/02040312-72c8-441e-a685-20e9333f3e1d/Introduction_to_Sociology_2e . License : CC BY: Attribution . License Terms : Download for free at http://cnx.org/contents/[email protected]

• My Storyboards

Governments of the World

In this activity, activity overview, template and class instructions, more storyboard that activities.

• This Activity is Part of Many Teacher Guides

As part of understanding the different types of government, it's great for students to be able to reference actual countries that are or had that each type at some point during their existence. This exercise will help students better understand the formation and history of that country, as well as their past and current relationships with each other.

In this activity, students will create a Frayer Model or a spider map that depicts real-life examples of different types of government . The governments that are chosen can be either current or historic. In the description box below each representation, students should include background information on the government, along with any significant events, laws, or individuals that emerged from the government.

Extended Activity:

As an extension to this activity (or perhaps an alternative), students can choose one country and investigate the different types of government that existed there over time. Students should be able to analyze the events that caused the changes and the impact each type had on the people and the country's international relationships.

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Student Instructions

Create a storyboard illustrating real life examples of different types of government in the world.

• Click "Start Assignment".
• In the title boxes, identify the type of government.
• In the descriptions, write a summary of a real life example.
• Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, items, or photos from Photos for Class.

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual or Group

Type of Activity: Frayer Models

Introduction to Government

• Constitution of the United States of America • The U.S. National Archives • License No known copyright restrictions (http://flickr.com/commons/usage/)
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US Government Documents Fundamentals

• Legislative

Types of Government Documents (Executive Branch)

Types of government documents (legislative branch), types of government documents (judicial branch).

• Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branch Resources
• Presidential Papers
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• General (a bit of everything)
• Elections and Voting
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• Criminal Justice
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• Health & Medicine
• Legislative & Regulatory
• Evaluating documents
• Citing documents

Types of documents the executive branch prepares and distributes are :

• research reports
• statistical publications
• fact sheets
• handbooks and manuals
• presidential papers
• maps and atlases 

Here are some examples.  Click on the link to bring up the actual document.  (Under the link is the citation of the document.)

• Agency Fact Sheet Fact sheet on the revisions to the regulations controlling lead in drinking water. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water. 2007. United State Environmental Protection Agency. Fact Sheet on the Revisions to the Regulations Controlling Lead in Drinking Water . US EPA . Safe Drinking Water Act. Web. 14 June 2010. 21 Sept. 2010
• Agency Report Hospital Experiences Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a National Pulse Survey March 23–27, 2020 Example of a government report archived by the Internet Archive: Pandemic Planning Update V; a report from Secretary Michael O. Leavitt. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 2008. Leavitt, Michael. Pandemic Planning . U.S. Department of Health and Human Services . Update 5: 1-16. Flu.gov. Web. 17 Mar. 2008. 21 Sept. 2010.
• Agency research report Parents in prison and their minor children. Special report, United States Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2009. (MLA) Glaze, Lauren, et al. Special Report: Parents in Prison and Their Minor Children. Bureau of Justice Statistics. August (2008): 1-25. U.S. Department of Justice. 30 Mar. 2010. 21 Sept. 2010
• Presidential Statement Statement of the President on Healthcare, March 27, 2020.
• Agency Handbook Kitchen companion : your safe food handbook. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 2008. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Kitchen Companion: Your Safe Food Handbook . USDA . Web. 15 May. 2008. 21 Sept. 2010.
• Executive Order Review of Department compliance with President's Executive Order on detainee conditions of confinement. U.S. Dept. of Defense, 2009. USDoD. Review of Department Compliance with President’s Executive Order on Detainee Conditions of Confinement . US Department of Defense . Web. 25 Feb. 2009. 21 Sept. 2010.

Types of documents the legislative branch prepares and distributes are:

• hearings (testimony)
• congressional reports
• committee prints
• record of proceedings and debates (Congressional Record)
• Congressional Hearing Hearing on proposals to provide federal funding for early childhood home visitation programs: hearing before the Subcomittee on Income Security and Family Support of the Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives, 111th Congress, first session, June 9, 2009. U.S. Government Printing Office. Hearing on Proposals to Provide Federal Funding for Early Childhood Home Visitation Programs . U.S. House of Representatives . Web. 9 June 2009. 21 Sept. 2009 more... less... Link will not open with Firefox PDF is larger then 6mb
• Congressional Report Alternatives for modernizing U.S. fighter forces. CBO Study, Congressional Budget Office, 2009. Congressional Budget Office. Alternatives for Modernizing U.S. Fighter Forces . The Congress of the United States: A CBO Study . May (2009): 1-73. CBO.gov. Web. 21 Sept. 2010.
• Committee Print Common enemy, common struggle [electronic resource] : progress in U.S.-Mexican efforts to defeat organized crime and drug trafficking : a report to the members of the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, second session, May 18, 2010. U.S. Government Printing Office. Common enemy, common struggle: progress in U.S.-Mexican efforts to defeat organized crime and drug trafficking . U.S. Senate . 18 May 2010. 21 Sept. 2010. more... less... Link will not open with Firefox PDF is larger then 6mb

Types of documents the judicial branch prepares and distributes are:

• orders of the court
• oral argument transcripts
• Supreme Court Decision McDonald et al. v. City of Chicago et al. Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. No. 08-1521, Argued Mr. 2, 2010--Decided June 28, 2010. Supreme Court of the United States. Supreme Court of the United States. McDonald et al. v. City of Chicago, Illinois, et al. Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals For the Seventh Circuit . October (2009): 1-214. supremecourt.gov. Web. 22 Sept. 2010.
• Supreme Court Decision Case Name: TINKER V. DES MOINES SCHOOL DIST., 393 U.S. 503; CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT. NO. 21. ARGUED NOVEMBER 12, 1968.-- DECIDED FEBRUARY 24,1969.
• Argument Transcripts, Supreme Court
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• Last Updated: Feb 21, 2024 3:09 PM
• URL: https://libguides.libraries.wsu.edu/docs

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Federal agencies may provide disaster assistance under their own authorities or through mission assignments from FEMA, authorized by the Stafford Act .

FEMA issues mission assignments in anticipation of, or in response to, a Presidential declaration of an emergency or major disaster. Mission assignments allow for deployment, employment and assistance from the full range of federal resources to support disaster needs.

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• Other federal agencies providing disaster assistance under their own authorities independent of the Stafford Act are to use their own funding.
• Other federal agencies providing assistance via mission assignments may seek reimbursement from FEMA for eligible costs incurred during performance of the mission.
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• Each Emergency Support Function (ESF) primary agency, in conjunction with its support agencies, should advise the Federal Coordinating Officer /Disaster Recovery Manager of the amount and distribution of funding required in support of the ESF.
• Each ESF primary agency is responsible for tasking support agencies by completing a sub-tasking document that describes the work to be performed, estimates date of completion, and establishes a funding limitation. The primary agency is responsible for monitoring the work progress of a sub-tasked support agency and approving the request for reimbursement submitted by the support agency to the primary agency, and subsequently billing FEMA.
• The ESF primary agency Project/Program Administrator or Financial Officer will certify to FEMA that the expenditures claimed have been reviewed and are relevant to the mission assigned, and that costs are reasonable and supported by documentation.
• Maintaining documentation to support requests for reimbursement.
• Notifying FEMA when a task is completed.
• Submitting partial or final reimbursement as soon as possible after completing a task. Final bills should be marked "Final;"
• Reconciling obligation balances with FEMA quarterly, and identifying excess funds available for de-obligation in an effort to return funds to the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) in a timely manner.
• Submitting annual validation of open obligations by providing cost data or other justification to show the amount of the obligation balance that must remain available, and why the assignment must remain open, or risk losing reimbursable authority due to the possible de-obligation of funds; (information may be submitted to  [email protected] ).
• Identifying a staff-level point of contact for financial coordination with the FEMA Finance Center, and identifying a headquarters-level point of contact for billing and reimbursement issues that cannot be resolved at the staff level.
• Applying proper financial principles, policies, regulations, and management and internal controls to ensure full accountability for the expenditure of DRF funds.

Mission Assignment Billing Reimbursement Checklist

Mission Assignment Reimbursement Request Transmittal Form