Why Do We Have Government?

Help your third graders learn how their government works, one clear page at a time! In this one-page worksheet, students read a short passage about what government does, fill in four blanks with a word bank, then imagine a town with no government and circle the two real problems.

The passage explains that government makes laws, keeps people safe, settles problems fairly, and provides services like roads and schools. It introduces the Constitution, the words "We the People," and the idea that government gets its power from the people. The no-government activity makes kids think about what government actually does. The wrong choices are things families and people decide for themselves, so students learn what government does not do, too. Everything students need to answer is right on the page, so it works for independent practice.

What's inside:

• A short passage with key words in bold
• 4 fill-in-the-blank sentences with a word bank
• A no-government scenario with 4 choices to circle
• A visual answer key with every answer marked in red

How teachers use it:

• As a quick check after a civics 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 is one of 7 worksheets in our Reading in Civics series for grade 3, covering government, rules and laws, voting, and citizenship. Each sheet in the series uses a different mix of activities, so the set stays fresh from the first page to the last.