Bell Ringer
Think/Pair/Share
On your handout, jot a few points for each question below:
What do you think people look for in a community when they decide where they are going to move to or if they are going to stay in a community?
Who decides what services or special events take place in a community?
Why do you think your parents have decided to live in Provost/Cadogan/Hayter/Metiskow, etc.? What makes them stay there?
Besides for work, why stay?
If you were mayor or a councillor, what program/services would you want to make sure was available in your town/community?
While listening to the story of Willowbrook and the Broken Playground, sketching your thoughts and ideas about the story. Use these questions to help you generate ideas of what to draw/sketch
What is the local government in charge of in Willowbrook? (e.g., parks, streets, safety)
How does the local government use taxes to help the community? (e.g., paying for parks, playgrounds, other services)
Why are taxes important for maintaining things like playgrounds? (e.g., repairs, safety, improvements)
How does the local government affect Mia’s life and the community? (e.g., fixing playgrounds, improving services)
The Town of Willowbrook and the Broken Playground
In the town of Willowbrook, 12-year-old Mia loved her community. It was small, peaceful, and everyone seemed to know each other. But lately, Mia had noticed something that bothered her. The playground in the park, where she and her friends spent so much time, was falling apart. The swings were broken, the slides were rusty, and some of the equipment was so old it looked unsafe.
Chapter 1: Mia's Concern
One sunny afternoon, Mia sat on one of the old swings with her friend Max. They tried to play on the swings, but they were so wobbly that it felt unsafe.
“I really don’t think I should be swinging on this,” Max said nervously, as the swing creaked loudly.
“I know,” Mia agreed, pushing her feet into the ground to stop the swing. “It’s not just the swings, though. The whole playground is getting dangerous. There’s even a slide where the paint is chipping off, and the metal is starting to rust. It’s a problem.”
Mia had an idea. “I think I need to do something about it. The playground is really important to our town. A lot of kids play here, and it should be safe.”
Chapter 2: Talking to the Local Government
Mia knew that the local government was in charge of the park and other important community services. The mayor, council members, and other local officials made decisions about where to spend the town’s money, and Mia realized they might be able to help.
She went home and told her mom about the playground problem. “What can I do to get the local government to fix it?” Mia asked.
Her mom smiled and said, “Why don’t you write a letter to the town council? You can explain the issue and suggest a solution. The local government works for the community, and they want to hear what people think.”
Mia thought that was a great idea. She spent the evening writing a letter, explaining how important the playground was to the kids in Willowbrook and how it needed repairs. She asked the council to consider using some of the town’s tax money to fix the playground so that it would be safe for everyone.
Chapter 3: A Meeting with the Local Government
A few days later, Mia received a letter back from the local government. The mayor invited her to a town hall meeting to talk about her concerns. Mia was nervous but excited. This was her chance to make a difference in her community.
At the meeting, Mia stood up in front of the town council. “Hello, I’m Mia, and I wanted to talk about the playground in the park. It’s really old, and some of the equipment is unsafe. I think we should fix it so that everyone can play safely.”
The mayor, Mr. Thompson, smiled and said, “Thank you for bringing this up, Mia. It’s very important that our parks are safe for everyone. The local government collects taxes from people in Willowbrook, and we use that money to fund community services like parks, roads, and public transit. We’ll look into how we can use some of that money to fix the playground.”
Mia felt relieved to know the local government cared about her concern. The council agreed to discuss the issue and find a way to include the playground repairs in the next budget.
Chapter 4: The Solution
A few weeks later, Mia received great news! The town council decided to use some of the tax money collected from the residents of Willowbrook to fix the playground. They hired workers to replace the broken swings, repaint the slides, and add new equipment.
The work took a few weeks, but when it was finished, Mia was thrilled to see the new, safe playground. The swings were sturdy, the slides were shiny and smooth, and there were even new benches for parents to sit on while their kids played.
Mia invited Max and some other friends to play, and everyone was excited. “This is so much better!” Max said, swinging happily on the new swing.
Mia smiled, feeling proud. “I’m glad I brought it up to the local government. They really listened and took action. Now, everyone can enjoy the park safely.”
In groups of 3 or 4, discuss the answers to the questions below. Select one person to record your groups thoughts.
Responsibilities of local governments?
What are some things the local government is in charge of in the town of Willowbrook?
What did Mia notice about the playground that made her think about the local government's role?
Using taxes to support community services?
What are some things the local government is in charge of in the town of Willowbrook?
What did Mia notice about the playground that made her think about the local government's role?
Taxes benefit the community
What would happen if there were no taxes in Willowbrook? How might that affect things like the playground?
Why is it important for the local government to have tax money to improve community services?
How did taxes help Mia’s town get a new, safer playground?
Local governments important to daily life
How did the local government help Mia and her friends by fixing the playground?
What other things do you think the local government is responsible for in your community?
Why is it important for citizens to be involved with the local government, like Mia was when she brought up the playground issue?
Bylaw - A set of rules or laws that are established in a town/city in order to regulate itself and the members in the community.
Example: animal control, parking, management of public recreation areas.
economic development - Actions taken by a local government to help businesses grow, create jobs, and make the community a better place to live.
essential services - Important services that people need to live safely and comfortably, such as police, fire departments, hospitals, and clean water.
Infrastructure - The basic physical systems a community needs to function, such as roads, bridges, water pipes, power lines, and buildings.
Representative Democracy - a system of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions and create laws on their behalf.
taxes - Money that people and businesses pay to the government so it can provide services like schools, garbage collection, and parks.
zoning - Rules that local governments use to decide how land in a community can be used, like where homes, businesses, and parks can be built.
Local Decision-Making
Local governments are closest to the people they serve. They make decisions based on the unique needs and priorities of their community, which might not be as visible or relevant to provincial or federal governments. One way this is done is by creating bylaws in order to govern and regulate members
Provide Essential Services
Local governments provide essential services like:
Clean water and sanitation.
Waste management.
Public transportation.
Snow removal and road maintenance.
Fire and emergency services.
Libraries, parks, and recreational facilities.
Representation
Local governments are a representative democracy. They give people a voice in decision-making through elected officials like mayors and councillors, ensuring their concerns and ideas are considered.
Community Development
They support community growth and development through:
Zoning and land use planning.
Economic development initiatives.
Building local infrastructure (roads, bridges, public buildings).
Local Identity and Culture
Local governments often protect and promote local heritage, culture, and events, helping communities celebrate their unique identity.
Accountability
Because local governments operate at a smaller scale, residents can more easily hold them accountable for their actions and policies, fostering a sense of trust and involvement.
Collaboration with Higher Levels of Government
Local governments work with provincial and federal governments to implement broader policies while tailoring them to fit local circumstances.
What Are Taxes?
Taxes are money collected from people and businesses by the government.
Everyone in the community pays taxes to help fund services that benefit everyone.
Why Do We Pay Taxes?
Taxes provide the money needed to run important services and programs in the community.
Without taxes, the government wouldn’t be able to afford things like public transit, waste management, or parks.
How Local Governments Use Taxes
Local governments use taxes to fund services such as:
Public Transit - in larger centres
Taxes help pay for buses, trains, and other transportation systems.
This ensures people can travel safely and affordably within the community.
Waste Management
Taxes pay for garbage collection, recycling programs, and landfill maintenance.
These services keep the community clean and protect the environment.
Parks and Recreation
Taxes fund the maintenance of parks, playgrounds, and sports fields.
They also help provide programs like swimming lessons or community events.
Emergency Services
Police, fire departments, and ambulances are funded through taxes to keep the community safe.
Roads and Infrastructure
Taxes are used to repair roads, build sidewalks, and maintain bridges.
How Are Taxes Collected?
Local governments collect taxes in different ways, such as:
Property Taxes: Money paid by homeowners or businesses based on the value of their property.
User Fees: Fees paid for specific services, like bus passes or garbage tags.
Why Are Taxes Important?
Taxes make it possible for the community to have shared services that everyone can use.
Without taxes, many essential services would not exist, and the community would not function as well.
What can you do as a Citizen?
Learn about how your local government uses taxes.
Share your opinions on how taxes should be spent by attending public meetings or talking to local leaders.
Use community services responsibly to ensure they last for everyone.
Become involved in activities or issues that you are passionate about
While in your original groups, use your notes and circulate the classroom to add answers to the posters with the following questions.
Question 1: What are the main responsibilities of local governments?
Question 2: How do local governments use taxes to support community services?
Question 3: How does collecting taxes benefit the community?
Question 4: Why are local governments important to your daily life?
Students will spend 4-6 min per station and rotate through all of them.
Once this is completed, whole class discussion. Provide any further information to fill gaps in learning. (teacher led instruction).
Provide notes for students with condensed versions of information from the stations.
Exit Slip
Big Idea Summary:
Today’s lesson was about ____________. The most important thing to remember is ____________.
I wonder _____________________________________.