Today is rung 1 of 6 on this topic
How a community works, and who decides
Can do: Names services a community provides, where the money comes from, and who makes local decisions.
Why it matters
It's the beginning of civics: the understanding that roads, schools and libraries are paid for collectively and decided by people who can be replaced.
What it looks like when it's wobbly
Assumes public things are free and that nobody in particular is responsible for them.
⏱️ Two-minute check
"Who pays for the roads and the library? Who decides where a new park goes?"
Solid looks like: Some version of taxes, and some version of an elected local government.
The full activity for this topic · 20 minutes
Run the Town
- 1List six things a town needs: school, hospital, roads, park, library, fire service.
- 2Give them twenty counters and prices for each. They can't afford everything.
- 3They choose, and then have to justify what they cut.
- 4Ask who in a real town makes this choice, and how that person gets the job.
- 5Look up who your actual mayor or council leader is.
If it's too hard
Four services, ten counters.
If it's too easy
Two children with different budgets have to negotiate a shared plan.
Say this
"You can't have all of them. What did you cut, and who's going to be upset about it?"