Sessions

 

Session 1: Governments in the Past

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

Students will define the words direct democracy and republic.

Students will compare/contrast the direct democracy practiced in ancient Greece and the republic practiced in ancient Rome.

Students will explain the importance of the Magna Carta and the Mayflower Compact. 

Students will discover the contributions William Bradford to the Plymouth colony. 

HOMEWORK: 

Suppose you are aboard the Mayflower. You probably face many problems in North America. Think about the ways your life will change when you leave the Mayflower. Make a list to share with the class in the next session. 

​

Session 2: United States Government

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

Students will define the word amendment. 

Students will share their list with the class.

Students will understand why the colonist declared independence from England. 

Students will examine the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Students will identify the contributions George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson made to the development of the United States government.

Students will discover the contributions Rosa Parks and Thurgood Marshall made to the African American community. 

Students will compare/contrast the governmental buildings of ancient Rome and Washington, D.C.

HOMEWORK: 

Draft a Family Constitution and Bill of Rights activity.

​

Session 3: Being a Good Citizen

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

Students will define the word responsibility.

Students will share their Family Constitution and Bill of Rights with the class.

Students will discuss how to be a responsible citizen. 

Students will practice voting in a mock election. 

Students will explain how volunteering helps a community.

HOMEWORK: 

What is a problem in your community? How would you solve it? Make a poster that tells why you would be the best person for the job. Be ready to share your poster with the class in the next session.  

​

Session 4: Community Resources

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

Students will define the word recreation.

Students will present their posters to the class. 

Students will examine the difference services local governments provide to their citizens.

Students will describe the importance of safety and security, education, recreation and transportation services within an community.

Students will discover how local governments pay for the services they provide. 

HOMEWORK: 

A park district can offer many kinds of recreation. Pretend that you are in charge of your community's park district. What activities would you like your park district to provide. Write how each activity you have identified will make people in your community healthier. Be ready to share you paper with the class in the next session.

​

Session 5: Community Leaders

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

Students will define the words council, mayor, candidate and consent.

Students will present their park district plan to the class.

Students will describe the different parts of a local government. 

Students will examine the roles of the city/town council members, mayor, members of the park district board, police chief, fire chief, superintendent of schools and members of the school board.

Students will discover the election process of local leaders.

Students will identify the good citizenship characteristics displayed by Charles Curtis.

HOMEWORK: 

Who are the local leaders in your community? Create a poster identifying the person's name and role in your community.

​

Session 6: State Government

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

Students will define the words legislative branch, executive branch, governor, veto and judicial branch.

Students will present their posters to the class.   

Students will examine the different responsibilities of the local, state and national government.

Students will compare/contrast the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. 

Students will describe the contributions Jimmy Carter made to the United States during and after his presidency.