Cities in the Classroom - Brian Lassiter

The City and Me, The True Summer Story of Brian Lassiter

During the internship with the City of Tallahassee, I was able to experience the inner workings of the day to day operations. It was a great experience with the opportunity to gain insight to how much responsibility that the city has to provide services for the community. I was able to talk with numerous individuals who were willing to help and plan activities to enable my students to become aware of how the city operates and what they can do as citizens to make Tallahassee a better place.

To implement the program, my students will do an intensive study of the city and the officials that help keep the city going. We will also study the different departments of the city based on the organization chart that the city provided. We will take field trips to different locations and see exactly how the city works. We also have planned for speakers to come out and discuss with the class how the city operates and what is needed by the students to help them become responsible, active citizens.

Brian's Class Takes A Walk

On the 4th of September, my class took a neighborhood walk around our school. We were armed with cameras, clipboards and check off sheets so that we could find different services that the city provides. We also worked on mapping skills so that we could get a better understanding of proportions and direction. The class enjoyed the walk and became excited about being able to document the pictures and the service that matched. It set up perfectly to leadership and the top down aspect of the city. Our next stop will be city hall to see the leadership role of the city.

Brian's Class Visits City Hall

On October the 8th my class visited City Hall and was greeted by the Assistant to the City manager. She took the class into the City Commission meeting room where we were able to sit and chat with the Mayor about his job and the day to day agenda that he has. After speaking with the Mayor, we were given a tour of City hall. We were able to meet the city manager and the city attorney. One part of the tour that the children loved was the traffic light control room. The students were able to see how the traffic lights work and the city helps the citizens by controlling traffic issues. To top it off, we had lunch in a city park where we were able to have our picture taken with the Lt. Governor. All in all it was a great day.

A Visit from Tallahassee's Firefighters

On Friday, October 9th, during Fire Safety Week, my class was able to sit with some firefighters and get a chance to look at a fire engine. The students were able to put on the gear and see all the equipment that the fire engine has to help the citizens of Tallahassee. It was an opportunity for the students to have an up close and personal experience with one of the many services that the city provides.

Astoria Park Celebrates Florida Cities Week!

For Florida Cities Week, on October 20th, the City of Tallahassee's Fleet department provided Astoria Park with vehicles of the city. All the students (K-5) were able to come out and look at the vehicles. The children enjoyed the bucket truck from the utilities department and the police motorcycle. On October 21st, Ms. Cynthia Barber of the Environmental Policy and Energy Resources Department came out and spoke to the 3-5 graders about recycling and how the city helps in this project. She provided materials and prizes that were made of recycled materials. The students learned about recycling and the teachers learned some tid bits too!

Lesson Plan 1 Lesson Plan 2

Section III. Local Government in Our Lives

SS.4.C.2.1 Discuss public issues in Florida that impact the daily lives of its citizens.

SS.4.C2.2 Identify ways citizens work together to influence government and help solve community and state problems.

SS.4.C.3.3 Explain the importance of public service, voting, and volunteerism.

Overview

In order for students to get an understanding of how the local government has a role in their lives, the students must be introduced to the many departments in government that provide services they use on a daily basis.

Objectives

- The students will take pictures of different items on the “Neighborhood Walk” sheet.

- The students will sort the pictures into the different departments in the local government.

- The students will pick two (2) items and write a short description of how the items benefit their lives.

Time

90- 120 minutes (2-3 days)

Strategies

- Independent work

- Paired work

- Whole class

Materials

- Camera

- Paper, pencil, clip board

- Picture Perfect Neighborhood worksheet

- Posted government departments

Potential Role of Government Official

- Content knowledge expert

- Public policy question/ answer session with students

Activities

Discussion with students to see how much they know that the government is involved in their lives. Ask the students, “What does the government do for you?” Write all answers on the board. After you have had the discussion, divide the answers into possible federal/ state/ local government. Guide the students to the local government section. Tell them that the government provides many services that they may not have listed. Tell them that they will take a field trip to explore how much the government provides for them.

Field trip time! Take the students on a neighborhood walk. Have them bring the worksheet, clipboard and camera. Have them take pictures of the items on the sheet. The students can take the sheet home and earn extra credit. They can also write in other items not on the list.

After the pictures have been printed, have the students separate the pictures under the different departments of the local government.

The students will then pick two items from the list and write a description of the importance of the item and how it helps the community and makes their lives safer and easier.

PICTURE PERFECT NEIGHBORHOOD

Instructions: Take a picture of these items. Check them off as you go.

ITEM
Water faucet
Trash can
Electric meter
Storm water drain
Street
Street light
Road sign
Sidewalk
Traffic light
Storm water pond
Bus Stop
Power lines

Other Items

EXTRA CREDIT

Bus
Police/ Sheriff Car
Fire Truck
A Park
New Construction site

Section II. Local Government

SS.4.C.3.2 Distinguish between state (governor, state representative, or senator) and local government (mayor, city commissioner)

Overview

In learning about Florida City and county government, it is important for students to become familiar with the basic organization of the city government

Objectives

- The students will explore the local government website to become familiar with the different positions of their local government.