Many Communities, One United States; Civics for Grades 3-5

Session 1: Distinguish the responsibilities and powers of government officials at various levels and branches of government and in different times and places. Explain how groups of people make rules to create responsibilities and protect freedoms.
The student will:
--discover the levels of government
--dissect the preamble to the constitution to learn its anatomy
--create a Preamble Picture Book as a group
--explore the Bill of Rights and play a Bill of Rights Kahoot


Session 2: Distinguish the responsibilities and powers of government officials at various levels and branches of government and in different times and places. Explain how groups of people make rules to create responsibilities and protect freedoms. CONT'
The student will:
--discover the three branches of government
--play a simulation on an idea making its way to become a law


Session 3: Explain how a democracy relies on people’s responsible participation, and draw implications for how individuals should participate.  Examine the origins and purposes of rules, laws, and key U.S. constitutional provisions. 
The student will:
--discover the rights and responsibilities of a citizen
--play Responsibility Launcher

Session 4:  Explain the origins, functions, and structure of different systems of government, including those created by the U.S. and state constitutions. Compare procedures for making decisions in a variety of settings, including classroom, school, government, and/or society.
The student will:
--compare systems of government and discuss what they believe works and why
--discuss ways decisions are made in families, at schools, and in the government
--work with a group to create an Island Bill of Rights and Constitution using a procedure decided on by the students

Session 5: Identify core civic virtues and democratic principles that guide government, society, and communities.
The students will:
--identify a list of virtues and choose a list that signifies a civic and democratic virtue
--compare principles that guide a small community versus those that guide a country
--discuss national, state, and local symbols and create personal or family symbols based on shared values

Session 6: Explain how rules and laws change society and how people change rules and laws.  Explain how policies are developed to address public problems. Illustrate historical and contemporary means of changing society. 
The student will:
--discover what activism is and the its history, purpose and effect
--identify ways they can become change agents within their own lives
--write a letter to a person in authority who is in charge of making rules or laws. 

Session 7: Explain how rules and laws change society and how people change rules and laws.  Explain how policies are developed to address public problems. Illustrate historical and contemporary means of changing society. CONT'
The student will:
--research a change-agent in American History and share findings
--Play the game Activate

Session 8: Describe ways in which people benefit from and are challenged by working together, including through government, workplaces, voluntary organizations, and families.  Identify the beliefs, experiences, perspectives, and values that underlie their own and others’ points of view about civic issues.
The student will:
--learn the basics of civil debate
--practice civil discourse