Warm Up:

1. What is government? Write down as many words as you can think of!

2. Based on the words you came up with, write a definition of government.

3. In your opinion, what is the purpose of government?

Government:

Any group of people living together in a country, state, city, or local community live by certain rules.

The system of rules and the people who make and administer them is known as a government.

Today’s Question:

What kind of government should the United States

have?

Agenda:

1. In groups: read the information about a historical figure and discuss what kind of government they would want

2. Panel discussion

3. Letter to the founders

Panel Discussion:Today, 5 historical figures from the will meet to discuss what kind of

government the United States should adopt.

King Louis XIV

Benjamin Banneker

Abigail Adams

Hiawatha

John Locke

Prepare for Panel Discussion

1. Read the biography aloud. Stop and talk about the questions as you go.

2. Keep in mind—what type of government would this person want?

Create your questions:

Create 4 questions to ask your historical figure during the panel discussion. These

questions should help the class understand what kind of government your historical

figure would want.

Jobs:

Actor: takes on the role of your historical figure at the panel discussion

Reporters: each reporter should ask your historical figure 1 question at the panel discussion

Louis XIV

Abigail Adams

John Locke

Benjamin Banneker

Hiawatha

Which panelist(s) do you agree with?

On the left side of your notebook, write a letter to the founders of our country. In your letter, explain what kind of government you think the

country should adopt. Which panelists ideas did you agree with? Which do you disagree with?