Who pays for the park? A 3rd grade taxes and public goods walk

1. Ask: "Who paid for this sidewalk? Did anyone buy it at a store?" Explain that taxes are money people and businesses pay to the government, which uses it for things everyone shares.
2. Walk the grounds (or tour the photos) in small groups with an adult. Students mark what they spot on the map: a blue dot for paid with taxes, a red dot for paid by a family or a business.
3. Back inside, list the blue dots: road, crosswalk sign, fire hydrant, public school, library, park.
4. List the red dots: a family car, a store sign, a house.
5. Talk about tricky ones: a bus stop (paid with taxes) and a store parking lot (paid by the business).
6. Each student finishes the sentence: "Taxes paid for the ___, which helps everyone by ___."

Safety: walk in groups with an adult, stay on school grounds or sidewalks, and do not cross streets during the activity. For photos, use public places only, with no faces or house numbers.

Differentiation: students who need support use a picture word bank. Students who are ready list three jobs paid for with taxes (teacher, firefighter, librarian). English learners can use the frame "Taxes pay for ___."

Quick check: ask a student to name two things paid for with taxes that they pass on the way to school.

Save this activity to your library so it is ready when you need it.