Teacher’s Guide

The Sovereign State

Time Needed: Two class periods Learning Objectives. Students will be able to:
Materials Needed:  Identify and describe the four features of a state.
Student Worksheets  Differentiate between a sovereign state and the
Power Point w/projector (optional) “states” in the United States by deciding whether
Colored pencils (optional) the four features of a state apply to each.
Copy Instructions:  List the four roles of government.
Anticipation & Closing Activities (half pages back  Apply the features and roles of a state by creating
to back; class set) a profile of a new, fictional sovereign state and
Guided notes organizer (1 page; class set) deciding on its priorities.
Create a State Worksheets (2 pages; class set)

STEP BY STEP

 ANTICIPATE the lesson by asking students to fill out the Anticipation Activity graphic organizer.
Call on students to share their ideas about what makes a country a country.
 DISTRIBUTE one Guided Notes organizer to each student.
 DISTRIBUTE one Reading page to each student.
 READ the reading page with the class, pausing to discuss and let students fill in their
Guided Notes organizers. If you wish, project a copy of the Guided Notes organizer
as a teaching tool to fill in along with the students.
 ALLOW students to complete the Four Roles of Government graphic organizer. As an
alternative, consider projecting the projection master and completing the organizer
as a class, OR run the Power Point supplement. The Power Point presents the
graphic organizer as an active participation activity so you can have the class tell
you as a chorus where each item should go.
 REVIEW the answers by reading them aloud OR by projecting the Four Roles of Government
organizer transparency master and completing it as a class OR by running the
Power Point supplement
 CHECK for understanding by running the Power Point supplement activities or by doing the
active participation activities on the Active Participation Guide.
 DISTRIBUTE one Create a State activity to each student, along with colored pencils if you wish,
and review the instructions.
 ASSIGN students to complete the activity.
 ALLOW students to share information about their countries with the class.
 CLOSE by having students complete the Closing Activity organizer on the back side of their
Anticipation Activity organizers. Call on students to share what they remember
from the lesson.

This lesson plan is part of the Foundations of Government series by iCivics, Inc. a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing civic education. For more
resources, please visit [Link]/teachers, where you can access the state standards aligned to this lesson plan. Provide feedback to
feedback@[Link].
©2011 iCivics, Inc. You may copy, distribute, or transmit this work for noncommercial purposes if you credit iCivics. All other rights reserved.
The Sovereign State Name:

Brainstorm! What features do all countries have in common? What must a country have, or else it
wouldn’t be a country? Think of as many features as you can. (Add more circles if you need to.)

What makes
a country
a country?

Anticipation Activity

The Sovereign State Name:

Brainstorm! What features do all countries have in common? What must a country have, or else it
wouldn’t be a country? Think of as many features as you can. (Add more circles if you need to.)

What makes
a country
a country?

Anticipation Activity
The Sovereign State Name:
Don’t Peek! Complete this graphic organizer using ONLY what you remember about states.

One thing I learned Another thing I learned: Another thing I learned: One thing I learned
about this feature: about this feature:

Features
One thing I learned of a One thing I learned
about this feature: about this feature:
state

Another thing I learned: Another thing I learned:

Closing Activity

The Sovereign State Name:

Don’t Peek! Complete this graphic organizer using ONLY what you remember about states.

One thing I learned Another thing I learned: Another thing I learned: One thing I learned
about this feature: about this feature:

Features
One thing I learned of a One thing I learned
about this feature: about this feature:
state

Another thing I learned: Another thing I learned:

Closing Activity
The Sovereign State Name:

The State
No, not Texas, Oregon, Vermont . . . Those are states, but “a
state” is something more than that. A state is a body of people,
living in a defined space, with the power to make and enforce
laws, and with an organization to do this. A state does not have
to check with any higher authority in order to make and enforce
laws. Its own organization, or government, is its highest authority.
The Department of State represents
the United States when dealing with
other states.
Population
A population is the group of people who are the members or citizens of a
state. A population can be large or small. China has a population of more than
1.3 billion people, while the island state of Fiji has just over 860,000.
The population of a state also has a variety of features. The population might
be mainly rural or mostly urban. A state’s economic situation might mean most
people are very poor, with little access to electricity or even water. Or the
people might be generally wealthy, enjoying modern homes, running water,
and the latest technology. Often this is connected to the level of education
most people within the population have achieved. Populations also have their
own cultural traditions, and they usually speak a common language.

Territory
A state’s territory is the area in which a state’s rule applies. A state must
have set boundaries. However, countries do not always agree on what each
other’ boundaries are.
Boundaries can change over time. Sometimes they change after a war,
when the states involved agree on new boundaries. When there is a
dispute, states might also negotiate with each other to decide what the
actual boundaries should be. Finally, states can purchase territory from
other states, although this is less common today than it was in the past. In
1867, the U.S. bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.

Sovereignty
Sovereignty (pronounced SAW-vren-tee) is the ability to rule absolutely
within a territory. The principle of sovereignty means that all states are
considered equal to each other, and no state may interfere in the affairs
of another state. In reality, the world’s states have created a higher
authority, called the United Nations. States agree to follow the UN’s rules
for dealing with each other — but they don’t have to follow them.
Sovereign states are free to set their own foreign policy, meaning the
kind of relationships they will have with other states. States also have
the power to decide how things will operate inside their own boundaries.
Today, though, if a state is unable to keep its population safe and many
people are being killed—perhaps even by the government—the UN
Flags outside the United Nations
headquarters. Each flag represents allows other states to use military force to protect the population.
a sovereign state.

Reading p.1
The Sovereign State Name:

Government
A government is the organization inside a state that controls the
actions and policies of the state. A government has four main roles.
First a government makes laws. In this role, the government provides
rules for how things inside the state are run. A government is also
responsible for protecting the state. In this role, the government
provides a military to defend the state against outside attack. Third, a
government keeps order inside the state. It does this by establishing
law enforcement agencies that deal with criminal activity. Finally, a
government usually helps its citizens by providing services people
need. This can be anything from a post office to paving streets to
providing health care or unemployment benefits.

Government’s Roles. Use the word bank below to complete the graphic organizer. Write the four roles
in the stars. Then put examples of each role at each point of the stars. Each role has 4 examples.

Keep Order Protect the Country Sheriff

Kids under 14 can’t work Highway Patrol Navy
Army People have freedom of speech Veterans’ hospital
The voting age is 18 Help Citizens Air Force
Marines FBI Schools
Make Laws Retirement benefits Jobs must pay minimum wage
Police Highway system

Four roles of
government

Reading p.1
The Sovereign State
Projection Master
The Sovereign State Name: ____________________________
Guided Notes The state
A state

1) a body of ______________ 2) living in a ___________________________ 3) with the

is...

power to make and enforce _____________ and 4) an ____________________ to do this.

population territory sovereignty government
________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________
________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________
________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________
_______________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________
A population might be A state must have set All states are considered
________ or ________ _____________________ _______ to each other.
States don’t always States decide what kind
Populations have of _____________ they
_________ on where
different ___________ will have with other
their boundaries are.
states. This is a state’s
__________________.
Boundaries can ________
States decide how
things will ___________
inside their boundaries.
The Sovereign State Name:
Territory. Draw a map of the boundaries of your new
country. Then draw the geographical features inside. Is
it on the ocean? Does it have rivers and lakes?
Mountains? Canyons? Where are the cities and towns?

Flag. Draw your

country’s flag
here.

___
N am e: ________________________
Your Country’s

Population. Describe the features of your country’s population:

Language(s) Spoken
Level Level
of Wealth of Education
Draw a pie graph to show Put an X next to the highest
fd how wealthy your population is. f level of education your country
gHint: Wealth and education are will require:
fdsass directly related!

Poverty
Ele
No

Mid

Hig

Co

Co

Gra
lleg

lleg

Middle
me

hS
sch

dle

du
nta

ate
e—

e—
cho
o ol

ry

Wealthy
2y

4y

De
ol

rs

rs

gre

100%
e

Where Name one holiday Cultural

75% only your country Traditions
People Live
has:
Draw a bar graph to show 50%
j_ how many people live
25%
jj__ near cities or in the How did it get started?
gfgfgfj_ country. 0%
Liv e cit

Liv a
lar

are
en y

e in
g
ear

rur
la

Create a State p.1

The Sovereign State Name:
Government. Choose one feature from each column to create your country’s government. Be careful —
some options don’t go together!
Legislative Assembly Head of State Elections
 Citizens elect legislators  Legislative assembly chooses a  Citizens don’t get to vote
 Head of state appoints Prime Minister  Citizens vote every ____ years
legislators  Citizens elect a President  Citizens vote whenever the
 No legislative assembly  Dictator appoints self to power government calls an election

Protecting the Country. What outside threat do Keeping Order. Paul has been convicted of
your citizens fear the most? Draw a picture of the robbing a bank at gunpoint in your capitol city.
threat and how your military is preparing to defend Police records show Paul has a history of drug
the country against it: addiction and had a lot of problems as a child. In
your country, what would Paul’s sentence be?

Official Court Document

Starting today, Paul will...

Helping Citizens. Look at the list of some needs Making Laws. Your country’s governing
your citizens will have. Decide what your country document is called the Five Freedoms. What
will do about these needs, if anything. freedoms do people in your country have?

NEED MY COUNTRY WILL The citizens of ___________ have the freedom to:

1. ______________________________________________
Education
2. ______________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________
Safe Food
4. ______________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________
Communication
Now, name three things everyone in your country
Health Care knows are against the law:
1. _____________________________________

Transportation 2. _____________________________________
3. _____________________________________
Create a State p.2
The Sovereign State ** TEACHER GUIDE **

Active Participation Guide

If you are not using the Power Point supplement, check for understanding by doing the following
activities with your class.

A. Is That a State? Write the following list on the board:

Does it have a population? YES NO
Does it have a territory? YES NO
Does it have sovereignty? YES NO
Does it have government? YES NO
First, ask the class whether the United States is a state. Have them answer “yes” or “no” as a chorus for
each question. Next, ask whether the state you live in is a state. Again, have them answer as a chorus for
each question. (Answers: United States, yes; individual states, no—they don’t have sovereignty)

B. Mini Quiz. Have the class show thumbs up or thumbs down for each statement:

1. A state can’t have less than 30,000 people. (  Monaco only has 27000.)
2. The boundaries of a territory can change. (
 War, negotiation, or purchase)
3. Sovereignty means you have to check with someone above you. (  There is nobody above you.)
4. Government only exists to keep order and provide security. (  Governments also make laws and
help citizens.)
5. The 50 states that make up the USA are not considered independent “states.” (  They don’t have
sovereignty.)

Reading p. 2 Activity
The Sovereign State ** TEACHER GUIDE **

Government’s Roles. Use the word bank below to complete the graphic organizer. Write the four roles
in the stars. Then put examples of each role at each point of the stars. Each role has 4 examples.

Keep Order Protect the Country Sheriff

Kids under 14 can’t work Highway Patrol Navy
Army People have freedom of speech Veterans’ hospital
The voting age is 18 Help Citizens Air Force
Marines FBI Schools
Make Laws Retirement benefits Jobs must pay minimum wage
Police Highway system

Highway Kids under

Patrol 14 can’t work

Police The voting Jobs must pay

Sheriff age is 18 minimum
Keep Make
wage
Order Laws

FBI People have

freedom of speech
Four roles of
government
Navy Retirement
Benefits

Protect Help
the Country Highway Citizens Veterans’
Air Force System
Army hospital

Marines Schools

Reading p. 2 Activity
The Sovereign State Name: _____** TEACHER GUIDE **______
Guided Notes The state
A state

1) a body of ___people____ 2) living in a ________defined space________ 3) with the

is...

power to make and enforce ____laws_____ and 4) an ____organization_____ to do this.

population territory sovereignty government
________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________
____People who are the____ _____The area in which_____ ___The ability to rule______ ___The organization that___
____members or citizens___ _____a state’s rule applies___ ___absolutely within a_____ ___makes and enforces____
____of a state____________ ________________________ ___territory______________ ___the laws______________
________________________ ____________________ _____________________ _______________________
A population might be A state must have set All states are considered
Makes laws — Provide rules
__large__ or __small__ _____boundaries______ _equal_ to each other. for how things run
States don’t always States decide what kind
Protect the country —
Populations have of _relationship_ they Provide a military
__agree__ on where
different __features___ will have with other
their boundaries are.
states. This is a state’s
Rural or urban Keep Order — provide law
__foreign policy__.
Cultural traditions Boundaries can _change_ enforcement
Poor, wealthy, middle War States decide how
Language spoken Negotiation things will _operate_ Help Citizens — Provide
services people need
Level of education Purchase inside their boundaries.