Grade 2 | HISTORY AND SOCIAL STUDIES
WEEK 6 • STUDENT TEXTBOOK • DAYS 26–30
Read each lesson with a parent or teacher and study the worked example. Then answer the questions for that day in the Week 6 Practice Workbook.
Week 6 Student Textbook | Week 6 Practice Workbook | Week 6 Teacher Guide | Week 5 Student Textbook | Grade 2 index
Day 26: Two Levels of Government
Americans live under two main levels of government. The national government works for the whole country from Washington, D.C. Each state also has its own state government.
Alabama’s state government works from Montgomery, the state capital. Like the national government, Alabama’s government has three branches: one makes laws, one carries them out, and one decides what they mean.
Worked example: Where does Alabama’s state government work?
- Find the state capital in the lesson.
- Alabama’s capital is Montgomery.
Worked answer: In Montgomery.
Day 27: President and Governor
The leader of the national executive branch is the President. The leader of a state’s executive branch is the governor.
Alabama’s governor works in Montgomery and carries out Alabama’s laws. The governor signs bills passed by the Alabama Legislature, just as the President signs bills passed by Congress. Voters in Alabama choose the governor every 4 years.
Worked example: Who leads the executive branch of Alabama’s government?
- Find the state leader in the lesson.
- A state’s executive branch is led by the governor.
Worked answer: The governor.
Day 28: Congress and the Alabama Legislature
Congress makes laws for the whole nation. The Alabama Legislature makes laws for Alabama.
Like Congress, the Alabama Legislature has two parts: a Senate with 35 members and a House of Representatives with 105 members. It meets in the State House in Montgomery. Alabama voters choose these lawmakers.
Worked example: How many members are in the Alabama Senate?
- Find the Senate in the lesson.
- The Alabama Senate has 35 members.
Worked answer: 35 members.
Day 29: Different Jobs for Different Governments
The national and state governments have different powers. The national government prints money, deals with other countries, runs the post office, and leads the armed forces.
State governments oversee public schools, issue driver’s licenses, build and repair state roads, and set many rules for their own state. Some jobs are shared, such as collecting taxes.
Worked example: Which level of government prints the money we use?
- Find printing money in the lesson.
- It is listed with the national government.
Worked answer: The national government.
Day 30: Independent Check: State and National Government
Today you will read new information and answer on your own.
Use what you learned this week: the two levels of government, their leaders, their lawmakers and their jobs.
Worked example: Who leads the national executive branch?
- Remember Day 23.
- The President leads the national executive branch.
Worked answer: The President.
Week 6 Student Textbook | Week 6 Practice Workbook | Week 6 Teacher Guide | Week 5 Student Textbook | Grade 2 index