The People and Governments of Massachusetts

Massachusetts Governments

Cluster 1 focuses on three forms of government that exist in Massachusetts: tribal, town, and city governments. The cluster builds on students’ learning about government in Massachusetts during the American Revolution in Unit 4 and introduces them to current governments, who they represent, and what they are responsible for. Students engage with a video and short texts and practice recording information in a graphic organizer. Important note about this unit: Lesson 6 in Cluster 1 and all the lessons in Cluster 2 involve individualized research done by the teacher about the town or city where your school is located. The lessons in Cluster 3 involve organizing opportunities for your students to learn about and hear from local community members, including building relations with their local Tribal Councils and governments. It is recommended that you begin preparing as soon as possible. Start by reviewing the Unit 5 Teacher Guidance and Resources.

Our Town or City

Cluster 2 focuses on the students’ specific town or city in Massachusetts. Students use various resources including maps, articles, and online databases in order to learn about the history, current populations, and local government of their town or city. Students focus on identifying what aspects of their town or city have changed and what aspects have remained the same over time throughout the cluster’s cycle of inquiry. *Reminder: The lessons in Cluster 2 involve individualized research done by the teacher about the town or city where your school is located. It is recommended that you begin preparing as soon as possible. Start by reviewing the Unit 5 Teacher Guidance and Resources. It is also suggested that you create a Teacher Version of the Cluster 2 Formative Assessment at the beginning of the cluster. Each town or city will dictate its own specific responses within the assessment.

How Communities Take Action

Cluster 3 focuses on how individuals and groups make a difference in the students’ local communities. The cluster begins with a read-aloud of the picture book Just Help! by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and brainstorming ways people help in their communities. Through participating in in-person interviews, watching videos, and reading articles, students learn about specific people in their local communities who are working to help make things better for themselves and others. A focus of the cluster is linking how and why people participate in and contribute to their communities. The unit concludes with students brainstorming, writing, and illustrating their own proposals for projects, initiatives, or events that would benefit the community. *Reminder: The lessons in Cluster 3 involve organizing opportunities for your students to learn about and hear from local community members, including building relations with their local Tribal Councils and governments. It is recommended that you begin preparing as soon as possible. Start by reviewing the Unit 5 Teacher Guidance and Resources. It is also suggested that you create a Teacher Version for the Formative Assessment Task towards the end of the cluster. Each classroom’s experiences with interviewees, discussions, and written resources will dictate its own specific responses to the Formative Assessment Task questions.