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 United States Constitution.
• The purposes and design of United States 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 the United States government?
• What is a Constitution?
• How does a Constitutional government work?
• What is a Constitutional government?
• What are the differences and similarities of a limited and unlimited government?
• What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?
• How did the Articles of Confederation influence the development of the United States Constitution?
• What are the purposes of government?
• How does government impact life today?
• What is the role of government in a citizen’s life?
• What are the six basic principles of the United States Constitutional government?
• Why are they important?
• How is the Constitution organized?
• How and why must a citizen be able to analyze Constitutional issues?

Standards and Benchmarks

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 culture of political culture of the United States.
Benchmark 1E: Students know the fundamental democratic principles inherent in the United States 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:

Unit 1:  Origins of United Stated Government
Unit 2:  The Consitution

Parent Resources

To help make this course more relevant for your son or daughter, consider sharing your political views and beliefs about what it means to be a responsible and informed participant in civic life. Describe your greatest political concerns and share how changes in law and the role of government have changed during your lifetime.