Lesson Plan Overview
Canada has three main levels of government: federal, provincial, and municipal. The federal level is responsible for anything that impacts the country as a whole, such as taxes, the military, immigration, and the trading of goods. There are 10 provinces and 3 territories in Canada, and each of them has their own provincial government, which is responsible for things such as education, highways, healthcare, and agriculture. The last level of government is the municipal level, which is specific to cities and towns. This level of government is responsible for things such as public parks and libraries, public transportation, garbage removal, and local police and fire services.
For this activity, students will create a 3 cell spider map that illustrates and describes the roles that each level of government plays.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a 3 cell spider map illustrating and describing the 3 levels of Canadian government.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- Write a level of government in each heading.
- Create an illustration that represents each heading using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short summary of each heading/level in the space below the illustration.
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
Lesson Plan Overview
Canada has three main levels of government: federal, provincial, and municipal. The federal level is responsible for anything that impacts the country as a whole, such as taxes, the military, immigration, and the trading of goods. There are 10 provinces and 3 territories in Canada, and each of them has their own provincial government, which is responsible for things such as education, highways, healthcare, and agriculture. The last level of government is the municipal level, which is specific to cities and towns. This level of government is responsible for things such as public parks and libraries, public transportation, garbage removal, and local police and fire services.
For this activity, students will create a 3 cell spider map that illustrates and describes the roles that each level of government plays.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a 3 cell spider map illustrating and describing the 3 levels of Canadian government.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- Write a level of government in each heading.
- Create an illustration that represents each heading using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short summary of each heading/level in the space below the illustration.
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
How Tos about Levels of Canada\'s Government
Organize a Classroom Debate on Government Roles
Assign students to represent each level of government and debate their responsibilities in real-life scenarios. This interactive approach helps students think critically and understand how federal, provincial, and municipal governments impact daily life.
Prepare debate topics based on everyday issues
Select topics like healthcare, transportation, or education and ask which level of government should handle them. This encourages students to apply their knowledge of government roles to practical situations.
Guide students to research their assigned level’s powers
Have each group gather facts about their level’s responsibilities using books, articles, or classroom resources. This deepens understanding and builds research skills.
Host the debate and moderate student discussion
Let groups present their cases and respond to questions from classmates. Encourage respectful listening and evidence-based arguments for an engaging learning experience.
Frequently Asked Questions about Levels of Canada\'s Government
What are the three levels of government in Canada and what do they do?
Canada has three levels of government: federal (handles national issues like defense, immigration, and taxes), provincial (manages education, healthcare, highways, and agriculture), and municipal (responsible for local services such as parks, libraries, and waste removal).
How can I teach students about the levels of Canadian government in a simple way?
Use a spider map activity: Have students create a 3-cell spider map, labeling each cell with a level of government, drawing an illustration for each, and writing a brief summary. This visual approach helps students understand and remember the roles of each level.
What is a spider map and how does it help students learn about government?
A spider map is a graphic organizer with a central idea and branches for details. It helps students visually organize information about the three levels of government, making complex concepts clearer and more engaging.
What are examples of services provided by each level of Canada’s government?
Federal: military, immigration, trade. Provincial: education, healthcare, highways. Municipal: public parks, garbage removal, local police. Each level focuses on different public needs.
What is the difference between federal, provincial, and municipal governments in Canada?
Federal government oversees the country as a whole, provincial governments manage provinces or territories, and municipal governments handle city or town services. Each has unique responsibilities to serve citizens.
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