Washington State Government

Cartoon Book

 

We have been studying the government of Washington State in our block class. As a culminating activity, you will create a comic book reflecting your understanding of the following seven questions.

 

Directions: Read Chapter 13 in our Washington in the Pacific Northwest textbook. Follow the steps below to create your own Washington State Government Cartoon Book.

 

Create an interesting cover that includes the following:

§	Title:	Washington State Government Cartoon Book
§	By:	Your Name
§	Color and illustrations that represent the state of Washington (apples, wheat, Space Needle, state bird, state tree, state flag, etc.)

 

For each page of your book, write the question at the top of the page.

 

1.	Why do we need government?
	Page 1: After reading pages 210 and 211 and completing “The Amendment Challenge” worksheet, consider what our state (country) would be like without the laws discussed. In your cartoon, illustrate what it would be like if we did not have government. You may choose to create a before and after scenario to show your understanding.

 

2.	What are the roles and duties of the three branches of government?
	Page 2: After reading pages 212 & 213 and 216 - 219 and discussing the three branches of government, create your own illustration of the three branches of government and list their main duties at the state level. At the bottom of the page, explain the purpose of “checks and balances.”

 

3.	Why do we have taxes?
	Page 3: After reading page 221 and completing the “Taxing Times” worksheet, create an illustration explaining the purposes and uses of taxes in our state.

 

4.	What services does our government provide?

Page 4: After reading page 222 and researching the websites for the City of Everett, Snohomish County and Washington State, create an illustration that shows some of the services provided by our government. You may also use these websites to get some ideas:

City of Everett		http://www.ci.everett.wa.us/
Snohomish County

 

http://www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/

Washington State

 

http://access.wa.gov/

 

5.

How do the initiative and referendum enable our citizens to help make laws?

Page 5:

Washington State is unique because all states don’t have our Seventh Amendment, which provides for the initiative and referendum process. On this page illustrate how the initiative and referendum process work.

 

6.	Why is there an East-West controversy in Washington?
	Page 6:	Illustrate the differences (physical, economic, social, and political) between Eastern Washington and Western Washington?

 

7.	What makes a good citizen?
	Page 7:	Interview two adults to find out their definitions of a “good citizen.” Write their responses on a piece of scratch paper. Using your interview results and your own opinion, create an illustration that shows your “definition” of a good citizen.