Objectives
Students will be able to:
• List some of services performed by government in their local communities.
• Examine the roles played by different levels of government in our economy.
• Determine to what extent businesses are better off with a government that is more involved, as
opposed to a government that is less involved in the economy.
• Analyze arguments supporting and opposing government playing a more active role in the economy.
Standards
NES: 16, 17, 18, 20
ELA: 1, 2, 3
Time Frame/Notes to Teacher
One day, double period
Materials/Instructions
Textbook chapter on “Government and the Economy.”
Teaching Strategies
I. Government Services List:
Distribute Worksheet 8A, “Government Services List.” Have students complete the exercise on the
worksheet. As part of the whole-class introductory discussion to this lesson, have students explain
their answers to the following:
— Which of your neighborhood services does government perform?
— Which services do you think should be performed by the private sector? Explain.
— What questions does this worksheet raise for our class discussion?
II. Government Services Chart:
Distribute Worksheet 8B, “Government Services Chart.” Have students complete the exercise on the
worksheet, then have explain their answers to the following:
— What conclusions can you draw from looking at the chart about the role government plays in our
economy?
— Which services do you think government should perform? Explain.
— Which services do you think the private sector could perform better? Explain.
III. Business and Government
Distribute Worksheet 8C, “Business and Government.” Have students complete the exercise on the
worksheet. Then have them explain their answers to the following:
— What is this chart showing us? (Use your own words to explain.)
— What does this chart show us about the relationship between business and government?
— Do you think that Americans are better off if businesses are taxed as much as possible or as little
as possible?
IV. Points of View: The Role of Government
Distribute Worksheet 8D, “Points of View: The Role of Government.” Have students complete the
exercise on the worksheet, then have them explain their answers to the following:
— In your own words, summarize Speaker A’s arguments.
— What did Speaker A mean when he said, “Outside of its legitimate function, government does
nothing as well or as economically as the private sector”? Do you agree?
— In your own words, summarize Speaker B’s arguments.
— What did Speaker B mean when he said, “We are all better off because of what government
does”? Do you agree?
— Which speaker do you agree with more?
Summary/Assessment
• Identify two instances in which you have personally benefited from government regulations. Explain
the benefits.
• To what extent do you think government should be involved in a free enterprise economy? Defend
your answer.
Homework
• Read materials in preparation for Lesson 9.
• Assign questions for homework.
• Complete Worksheet 9A for next lesson
Worksheet 8A
Services Provided By Government
Exercise: Walk around your neighborhood. In Column 1 below, list as many services as you can find
that are performed (paid for) by the local, state, or federal government. In Column 2, place a check in
the box A or B below to indicate whether you believe that that service should be performed by
government or by the private sector.
Worksheet 8B
Government Services Chart
Exercise: The chart below illustrates a number of the services that are performed by local, state, or
federal government. Circle any picture representing a service that you think would be better performed by the private sector. Be prepared to explain your answers.
Business and Government
Study the chart below and complete the exercise that follows:
Exercise: The boxes labeled A, B, C, and D above show four ways that business and government
interact in our economy. One example of each of those four relationships appears below. Place the
correct letter of the type of relationship in front of each of the examples. Each letter should appear only once.
_____ 1. Local contracting firms are hired to construct government buildings, such as a new
courthouse, or to build local roads and bridges.
_____ 2. Businesses receive revenues from government to build weapons for the armed services.
_____ 3. Businesses pay income taxes on their profits to the federal, state, and local governments.
_____ 4. Governments provide public goods and services that facilitate business operations, such as fire and police protection, roads, and the legal system.
Worksheet 8D
Points of View: The Role of Government
Exercise: Speakers A and B disagree over the proper role of government in our economy. Circle the
sentence from each speaker’s statement that contains the strongest argument supporting his or her
point of view.
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