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This handbook contains lessons designed to help fourth grade teachers teach about local government. Although specifically designed to be used with the revised New York state K-6 social studies program, the handbook can be used by teachers in other states. A basic understanding to be developed by the students is the recognition that all groups must govern themselves in order to survive. The handbook has two major sections. Section one contains a general introduction, a teacher's guide, and a description of local government in New York state. Section two contains student handouts. The student section is divided into three independent units: power/leadership; problem finder/problem solver; and cost/benefit. At the end of the third unit there is a four-page take home information packet. In the power/leadership unit, students analyze a series of cartoons and observe, describe, and evaluate the role of leaders and laws in their lives. A short story about law and order shows students the power of law. Students also role-play the occupants of a spacecraft that crash lands on a habitable planet and must organize their own community and government from scratch. In the problem finders/problem solvers unit, a short story about local government raises the students' awareness of the role local government plays in their lives. Students also role play a situation involving bike safety in a suburban community. In the cost/benefit unit, students study a pictorial representation of the many services a city government provides. Students also analyze a map that exposes them to the concept of property zoning, participate in a play about city problems, and do a problem-solving exercise on taxes. (RM)