Lesson 2: Local Government Structures & Civic Access Points
Duration of Days: 5
Lesson Objective
Students will explain the structural pathways required to pass an policy or obtain funding at the municipal level.
Who holds decision-making power in our local town? How can ordinary citizens change a town ordinance?
CT Civics/Gov (Dimension 4 - INQ 9–12.13); MBL Standard 5C.
Day 26: Mayor/City Council vs. Town Manager systems.
Day 27: Understanding the municipal budget allocation process.
Day 28: Identifying boards and commissions (Planning & Zoning, Board of Ed).
Day 29: How a citizen introduces a local ordinance.
Day 30: Simulating a City Council public comment period.
Students stage a mock Town Hall meeting. Each student acts as either a city councilperson or a citizen presenting 2 minutes of testimony regarding a local issue identified in Week 1.
Purpose & DOK Level: Practice procedural civic speaking; DOK Level 3.
Provide script templates for public comment; scaffold council member questions.
Performance rubric grade on the mock town hall testimony or written testimony brief.