Professional Documents
Culture Documents
NCSS Overview
List of Resources
https://www.icivics.org/ (Student games and teacher lesson plans)
http://teachingcivics.org/
http://www.annenbergclassroom.org/
http://www.cnn.com/cnn10
http://www.did.deliberating.org/lessons/index.html
http://www.civiced.org/resources/curriculum
http://www.nea.org/tools/BrowseAllLessons.html?opt1=Social
%20Studies&opt2=6-8
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/themes/civics/lessonplans.ht
ml
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/lessons_plans/
what should be covered under the theme. The first main point to be covered
in this theme is that students should understand civic ideals and practices in
education for citizenship. With this point students in this theme should be
able to understand how to participate in society and how under this theme
that should be the main focus. With the focus on being an active citizen,
society over time and to compare and contrast these ideas. The second topic
under this theme is that student should understand how to apply civic ideals
Students should be able to understand their basic rights as a citizen and how
to apply this into everyday life. The third topic under this theme is students
should be able to answer questions such as what is a balance between rights
and responsibilities, how do citizens get involved and what is the role of a
citizen in the community and nation, to name a few. The fourth major topic in
this theme discusses where this topic should be covered in schools. Students
learn this topic in global studies, history and political science related classes.
Some strengths of this lesson is that it allows students to learn about being a
global citizen, this theme allows students to learn about how other countries
countries. This theme also teaches students what their rights are as both a
citizen of the United States and a global citizen. This theme is a very
will allow them to think critically and know their rights and responsibilities in
this country and also gives them ways that they can action.
Groups and Institution and the Power, Authority and Governance Theme.
rights and responsibilities a state should include in their standards and some
states may fall short of implementing the theme and its overall meaning.
This theme also relates and is seen is various Minnesota State Standards for
social studies.
Some standards it relates to include both 5.1.3.4.1 and 7.1.1.1.1. Standard
5.1.3.4.1 is about the bill of rights and making sure students understand the
first 10 amendments, while 7.1.1.1.1 covers civic issues in the United States
LESSON PLANS
Lesson Plan 1
Objective: In this lesson you will discuss some important questions about the
responsibilities of citizens. You must develop your own answers to these questions. We
hope this lesson will help you develop good answers.
Source: http://www.civiced.org/resources/curriculum/lesson-plans/452-what-
responsibilities-accompany-our-rights
5.1.3.4.1
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths of this lesson include the ability for students to
learn about all the different rights that are guaranteed to them under the constitution of
the United States. This lesson gives students real world situations that express
Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, right to be treated equally, and the Right to
Vote. I like how this lesson gives students real world examples as by letting them learn
from these examples allow them to see how these rights affect their rights as a citizen
and how they can use them. Some weaknesses of this lesson is that most of the lesson
revolves around student participation and group discussion. With students with many
different skillsets it is hard for students to have a discussion with other students at their
same skill level and may take advance planning. Another weakness is that the
assessment is very basic and allows students to answer the questions without having a
great understanding of the lesson.
Lesson Plan 2
Objective: This lesson with one-half hour video provides an overview of the
workings of federalism in the United States. In this unit, the complex and
changeable relationship between the national and state governments is
explored. By focusing on the conflicts between national and state powers,
the unit develops a deeper understanding of nature of governmental power
in the American system
Source: http://teachingcivics.org/lesson/federalism-u-s-v-the-states-
democracy-in-america-video-series/
9.1.2.3.3
The United States is based on democratic values and principles that include
liberty, individual rights, justice, equality, the rule of law, limited
government, common good, popular sovereignty, majority rule and minority
rights.