Subject: Social Studies Type of Lesson: Discovery, Problem Solving, Web-

Based

Grade: 10 CSEC OBJ: Develop an understanding of the term

government

Term: 2 Unit Number # 1- Government

and Title:

Duration: 35 minutes Week Number: 1

Lesson Number # 1- What is Government?

and Title:

Objectives
As a result of this lesson, the student will be able to:
1) define the term government.
2) explain the difference between the terms formal and
informal government.
3) construct a table comparing the similarities and differences
between formal and informal government.
4) begin to appreciate the importance of Government in societyb

Prerequisite Student Knowledge

The student should be familiar with:

1) the definition of the term institution.

2) different types of institutions.
3) with the concept of why government is considered to be a legal
and political institution.

Important Points
1) The term government maybe defined as a group of people who
have the authority to set goals, make laws and enforce compliance
in an effort to run a country/nation/state effectively.
2) The word government is derived from a Greek verb meaning to
pilot a ship. Hence government is concerned with the
management and leadership of society.
3) Government is usually considered both a political and legal
institution.
4) Government as an institution and body sets goals and polices for
the good of an organization, a group or a country.

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 5) Also as an institution, Government has the power to make and
enforce laws within an organization, a group or a country.
6) Therefore as a body government helps to keep society organized.
7) Government exists at different tiers (levels) in a society: at the
family, school and national levels respectively.
8) Hence, Government as a body might be considered Formal or
Informal. A formal government is a body of people with power and
authority to control and direct the affairs of a population occupying
a particular territory. An informal government on the other hand
may be considered as a body of persons coordinating the affairs of
a group such as parents in a group.
9) A government can be classified in many ways. It varies in the
amount of power ordinary people have to influence its decisions.
In some societies people have very little say and these are
described as totalitarian or autocratic. Governments which give
ordinary people a strong influence in whatever decisions are made
are known as democracies.
10) Our families and schools are in a sense a type of government
since these institutions manage and organize our everyday life.
These maybe considered as forms of Informal Government.
11) National or Regional Government of a state is the body which is
given the responsibility of making, refining and enforcing the laws
on behalf of all citizens of that state. This is usually referred to as
Formal Government.

Key Terms

Authority Autocracy Democracies

Formal Government Government Informal Government

Institution Laws Legal Institution

Political Institution Power Rules

Totalitarianism

Challenge Area
Ensuring that students understand that the term government exists at
different levels of society such as the home, school and even in the
wider community. However, the focus of this Unit is on the role of
Government in the Political Leadership of the country.

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Equipment/Materials Needed

Multimedia projector, computers, internet connectivity

Note to Teacher
Ensure that the concept of government is not restricted to the national
or regional levels but with the aid of exhaustive examples show that
government is a part of the students everyday life for example in their
home, school and church. However much emphasis must be placed on
the political (formal) aspect of government as is required in this
section of the syllabus.

Teachers Lesson Notes

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Introduction
1) Introductory Activity

Decision Making in the Family

a. Now allow students to view a video presentation at the link

below, using the following questions as a viewing guide.

i. Why did Scamp have problems with his father

Tramp?
ii. Why did Scamp find it difficult to follow rules?
iii. What advice did Tramp give to Scamp?
iv. What happened to Scamp when he refused to follow
the advice of his father Tramp?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtrTt06SHOA

Students should be given some time to discuss and present

their answers to the class.
Expected answers:
i. Scamp found it difficult to have to follow rules
ii. He wanted to follow his own way without
having to follow rules.
iii. Tramp tried to make him understand the need
for rules to protect
iv. When Scamp refused to obey rules he was
excluded from fathers home.

Teacher should discuss with students that this is a form of

informal government and then help students to identify as
many examples as possible.

b. Ask students to form groups of twos and discuss why it is

important for every group to have directions.
i. Facilitate a reporting session in which students
share the reasons that they discussed.
ii. Assist students to understand that group decision
making is an informal form of government.
iii. Ask them to write their own definition of the term,
informal government. They are to check their
definition after they complete Table 1.1 below and
improve it if necessary.
Expected answer: An informal government on the
other hand may be considered as a body of persons
coordinating the affairs of a group such as parents
in a group.

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 Body of Lesson
1) What is Government? (Characteristics)
Group work and Discussion, Internet Use

a. Teacher should ask students to form groups of threes

and then use the following website to find what is
meant by the term government. www.dictionary.com
(or use a dictionary)
Notes
The Teacher i. Give students time in their groups to write the main
should give the
students the characteristics of the term government
questions before Expected answer: Key terms - political institution,
they view the sets goals and makes laws.
video. The
students should be Allow students to share the characteristics with the class
allowed to view and also tell what they understand.
the video clip at
least twice.
2) How do informal and formal forms of government compare?

a. Ensure that students understand clearly the concept of

government.
i. Ask students to go into groups of three and compare
the definitions they found in www.dictionary.com
(or use a dictionary) with the in formal definition of
government.
ii. Direct students to use the following website to
strengthen their definition of the term government.
http://www.brainyquote.com/words/go/government
170081.html

b. Assist students to complete Table 1.1 to show similarities

and differences between formal and informal forms of
government.

Table 1.1: Comparing formal and informal government

Formal Similarities Informal Similarities
Government Government
1.Body of 1.Body of Persons
Persons
2.Gives Rules 2.Gives Rules
3.Coordinates 3.Coordinates the
the Affairs of Affairs of the Group
the Group

Differences Differences
1.Large Body 1.Small Body of
of Persons Persons

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 2. Power and 2.Limited Power
authority given and Authority
by a large
number of
people.
3.Controls a 3.Control few
large persons
population
4.Controls a 4. Controls the
country or affairs
Territory group/family/boards
of companies.

Expected responses are in colour.

Closure
In Class Assignment
1) Divide the class into six groups of five. Three groups will simulate
what they understand by Formal Government. The three other
groups will then look at Informal Government.
2) This should be presented to the class after students agree on a set
of criteria to evaluate each groups simulation

Supplemental
Out-of-Class Assignment

1) Students could be asked to write a paragraph on what is meant by

Formal and Informal government. They could use the following
link
http://www.brainyquote.com/words/go/government170081.html
and other websites to search for different definitions of
governments and record these for further class discussions.

Glossary of Terms

Authority An Institutionalized and legal power inherent in a

particular job, function, or position that is meant
to enable its holder to successfully carry out their
role.

Autocracy This is any system of government in which

power and authority to rule is in the hands of a
very few or a single individual.

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Democracies A government elected by the people and for the
people.

Government This body with the authority to direct and control

the affairs of the country.

Institution This is a formalized group; established with a

definite organization; identified with a social
purpose and permanence, transcending
individual lives and intentions; and with the
making and enforcing of rules.

Laws These are written rules of the society which has

been written enacted and enforced by the
government.

Legal Institution Interest groups that see to the regulation of law

and order in the society such as the courts, police
force and army.

Political Institution Interests groups in a society with conflicting and

competing interest which must be regulated so
that peace and order can be maintained.

Power The capacity or ability to direct or influence the

behaviour of others.

Rules Rules may be written or unwritten and prescribe

how people should behave.

Totalitarianism This is any system of government in which

power and authority to rule is in the hands of a
very few or a single individual.

CSEC Questions
1) Define what you understand is meant by the term Government.

2) Explain the difference between formal and informal Government.

2 marks

3) Every society should have rules set by Government

Give Two (2) reasons for the existence of Government in a
Society.

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 4 marks
4) i) Suggest two (2) examples of different types of governments you
experienced in your daily life at school and suggest two (2)
strategies to improve these at school.
6 marks

ii) Explain why you believe each of your strategies will be

successful.
6 marks

Total 20 marks

Recommended Materials
http://www.brainyquote.com/words/go/government170081.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtrTt06SHOA
www.dictionary.com

Bibliography
Brathwaite S, Reynolds P, (2004) Caribbean Examination Council
Social Studies Self Study Guide, Barbados, Commonwealth of
Learning.

Coates-Bell L., Carman L., Dixon D., Oliver B. (2008) Growing

Together, United Kingdom, Nelson Thornes Ltd.

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