Standards

Enduring Understandings - important ideas that students should carry with them years beyond the instruction received this year.

• Political theories and documents provided the foundation for the US Constitution.
• The purposes and design of the US government impact individuals and society.
• Citizens must be able to analyze Constitutional conflicts. 

Essential Questions - most important “big picture” questions students should be able to answer after completing learning activities.

• What documents and theories form the basis of the United States government? How did they influence the development of US government?
• What is a constitution? How does a constitutional government work? What is a constitutional government?
• How did the Articles of Confederation influence the development of the US Constitution?
• What are the purposes of government?
• How does government impact life today?
• What is the role of government in a citizen’s life?
• Why are the six basic principles of US Constitutional government important? How is the Constitution organized?
• How and why must a citizen be able to analyze Constitutional issues?

Standards and Benchmarks

STANDARD Civics 1: Students understand the purpose of government, and the basic constitutional principles of the United States republican form of government.

Benchmark 1A: Students understand the principles of the United States constitutional government.

Benchmark 1B: Students know the essential characteristics of limited and unlimited government.

Benchmark 1C: Students know and understand what government is and what purpose it serves.

Benchmark 1D: Students know the distinctive characteristics of political culture of the United States.

Benchmark 1E: Students know the fundamental democratic principles inherent in the US concept of a constitutional democratic republic.

District 11 Diamond Units/Lessons Overview - includes information about the purpose, goals and structure of these sample instructional units:

• Quarter 1
• Quarter 2
• Quarter 3
• Quarter 4

Parent Resources