Local and State Government

Help your fourth graders tell the difference between local and state government! In this one-page worksheet, students read a short passage about the two levels, write L or S to show which government does each of six jobs, then circle True or False for four sentences.

The passage explains that local government serves a city, town, or county, and is often led by a mayor and a city council. Students learn that local government runs police and fire departments, picks up trash, fixes local streets, and runs libraries. The passage then shows that state government serves the whole state, is led by the governor, and has a legislature that makes state laws. State government builds state highways, gives driver's licenses, and runs state parks. Students also meet the words ordinance and county and learn a key idea that often surprises them: local governments get their power from the state. The L or S activity gives quick practice comparing the two levels with real jobs. The true or false sentences check common mix-ups, like who leads a state and where local governments get their power. Everything students need to answer is right on the page.

What's inside:

• A short passage with key words in bold
• 6 government jobs with a letter box for each
• 4 true or false sentences
• A visual answer key with every answer marked in red

How teachers use it:

• As a quick check after a state government lesson
• For morning work, centers, or an exit ticket
• As homework or sub plans, with no prep needed

It takes about 5 to 10 minutes and prints clearly in black and white. This worksheet is part of our Reading in Civics series for grade 4, covering state and local government, citizenship, and how laws are made.