Citizenship Lesson Plan. Subject: Government Teacher: Kelly Vallance Unit: Citizenship Grade: 12 Lesson: Measuring Citizenship # of students: 25

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Citizenship Lesson Plan. Subject: Government Teacher: Kelly Vallance Unit: Citizenship Grade: 12 Lesson: Measuring Citizenship # of students: 25"

Maximilian Dwain Lawrence
5 years ago
Views:

1 Citizenship Lesson Plan General Information: Subject: Government Teacher: Kelly Vallance Unit: Citizenship Grade: 12 Lesson: Measuring Citizenship # of students: 25 II. Big Question: What makes you a citizen? What is the difference between resident aliens and naturalized citizens? Would you pass the Citizenship exam? III. Content Narrative/Rationale: This lesson is designed to help create a definition of citizenship. Students should be able to describe the differences between naturalized citizens and resident aliens. The American government was built by its citizens in order to protect the common good of the people, therefore people could pursue their own interests as long as they do not interfere with interests of others. At least, this is how John Locke described the basic concept of a democratic government. The Founders wanted to form a common bond out of such diversity, although I doubt they would have predicted just how diverse America has become. For the Founders, becoming American was mostly establishing a loyalty to political ideals of the new land. So who is a citizen of this American government? Anyone who is born in the United States, is a citizen. Non citizens who legally reside in the United States is a resident alien. Resident aliens may become naturalized citizens by taking a citizenship test. Congress established five years as the minimum time required for immigrants to learn these ideals and to become naturalized citizens. All citizens and resident aliens must obviously abide by the law of the U.S. Resident aliens are guaranteed most of the rights possessed by citizens, such as due process as part of the judicial system. However, aliens do not have the right to vote or hold public office, not having these rights distinguishes them from naturalized citizens. People argue that citizens have special responsibilities by holding these rights that aliens do not. IV. Goal: Students will be able to recognize the importance of understanding the basic components and principles of the U.S. government through the eyes of a resident alien. Students will realize that citizenship education is not only for immigrants but also important for naturalized citizens as well. V. How does this fit into the lesson unit? This lesson will be an introduction activity into citizenship education and the will demonstrate the importance of understanding our government and our personal responsibilities in order to display good citizenship. This lesson should be followed by a lesson on specific responsibilities of citizens focusing on how graduating seniors can contribute to their community through good citizenship. VI. Lesson Objective Obj1 1. TSWBAT record the basic principles that distinguish resident aliens from naturalized citizens. Obj2 2. TSWBAT describe the vision of citizenship the Founding Fathers had for America. Obj3 3. TSWBAT participate in a citizenship exam.

2 Obj4 Obj5 Obj6 4. TSWBAT analyze the results of their citizenship exam and explain the implications. 5. TSWBAT watch a video clip on citizenship and interpret the meaning of the satire. 6. TSWBAT discuss how their views on citizenship have changed. VII. NCSS Standards For this lesson the NCSS standard of Civic Ideals and Practices. Civic Ideals and Practices. NCSS TSWBAT: identify the differences between resident aliens and naturalized citizens pertaining to rights and responsibilities. Students will also be able to interpret the results of the citizenship test and video clip to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of learning about government in relation to becoming a more informed voter and responsible citizen. VIII. Virginia Standards of Learning Virginia and United States Government GOVT.17 The student will demonstrate knowledge of personal character traits that facilitate thoughtful and effective participation on civic life by b) practicing courtesy and respect for the rights of others; c) practicing respect for the law; IX. Essential Understandings, Knowledge and Skills 1.) Students have an understanding of citizenship because they participate in society in their daily lives. 2.) Students will display an understanding of the importance of understanding the basic functions of the U.S. government in order to pass the citizenship test. X. Prerequisite Skills Students must have basic understanding of citizenship and the basic functions of the U.S. government. Students should also have knowledge of the concept of the naturalization process to become an American.

3 XI. Lesson Format: Objectives Method/Activity Lesson Introduction: Just Do It! Handout. Students will have 3 minutes to complete a brainstorm assignment. Students will be asked to share their answers with the rest of the class. What makes you a citizen? What is your definition of citizenship? Time 5 min The teacher will record all the answers to make a list on the board. Make sure to emphasize answers that they will find to be correct in their research. Just Do It leads into a discussion citizenship and the naturalization process immigrants face to become U.S. citizens. Do we take it for granted? Obj 1 Obj 2 GOVT. 17 (a) (b) NCSS X. Introduce Notes and Background info: Students should be prepared to take a brief set of notes in order to answer the thought question at the end of the class period. Material B: Overhead Notes The American government was built by its citizens in order to protect the common good of the people; therefore people could pursue their own interests as long as they do not interfere with interests of others. At least, this is how John Locke described the basic concept of a democratic government. The Founders wanted to form a common bond out of such diversity, although I doubt they would have predicted just how diverse America has become. For the Founders, becoming American was mostly establishing a loyalty to political ideals of the new land. So who is a citizen of this American government? Anyone who is born in the United States, is a citizen. Non citizens who legally reside in the United States is a resident alien. Resident aliens may become naturalized citizens by taking a citizenship test minutes

4 Congress established five years as the minimum time required for immigrants to learn these ideals and to become naturalized citizens. All citizens and resident aliens must obviously abide by the law of the U.S. Resident aliens are guaranteed most of the rights possessed by citizens, such as due process as part of the judicial system. However, aliens do not have the right to vote or hold public office, not having these rights distinguishes them from naturalized citizens. People argue that citizens have special responsibilities by holding these rights that aliens do not. Objectives Method/Activity Time Obj 3 Obj 4 Obj 6 NCSS X. Citizenship Test: Students will be given a citizenship test and then the as a class we will go over the correct answers. Students will be responsible for grading themselves. Material C: Test Interpreting the test: The students will be given an opportunity to discuss the questions on the test. Were they hard or easy? Did some of the questions surprise you? How many American citizens do you think, would pass the citizenship test? What did the test tell you about you as a citizen? Assignment: Do you think you take being an American citizen for granted? 10 min 5-10 min Objective Method/Activity Time Obj 5 Video Clip: Simpsons Episode-Abu takes the citizenship test. Provided by Dr. Hicks. 5 min

5 Assessment: Formative Assessment: Students are assessed during the lesson based on their individual performances and participation during class discussion. This assessment will be completed through methods of observation and questioning during the lesson. Summative Assessment: Summative assessments items in this lesson are: 1.) Citizenship test (participation grade). 2.) Reflective Writing Activity (display an understanding of the importance of citizenship education). XII. Lesson Modification This lesson can be modified by providing enlarged overhead notes or have them read aloud for those students with a visual deficit. All directions have been written down or are provided in the handouts. Individual modifications can be made according to students Individualized Education Plans. IX. Materials and Equipment All of the following materials are provided in section X, except actual computers necessary for the WebQuest portion of the lesson. Material A: Just Do It Overhead Material B: Overhead Notes Material C: Citizenship test/ Reflective Question Material D: Video Clip

6 Material A: Just Do It! You have 3 minutes to complete this assignment. You will be asked to share your answers with the rest of the class and turn this into me for a participation grade. What makes you a citizen? What is your definition of citizenship?

7 Material B: Overhead Notes The American government was built by its citizens in order to protect the common good of the people; therefore people could pursue their own interests as long as they do not interfere with interests of others. At least, this is how John Locke described the basic concept of a democratic government. The Founders wanted to form a common bond out of such diversity, although I doubt they would have predicted just how diverse America has become. For the Founders, becoming American was mostly establishing a loyalty to political ideals of the new land. So who is a citizen of this American government? Anyone who is born in the United States, is a citizen. Non citizens who legally reside in the United States is a resident alien. Resident aliens may become naturalized citizens by taking a citizenship test. Congress established five years as the minimum time required for immigrants to learn these ideals and to become naturalized citizens. All citizens and resident aliens must obviously abide by the law of the U.S. Resident aliens are guaranteed most of the rights possessed by citizens, such as due process as part of the judicial system. However, aliens do not have the right to vote or hold public office, not having these rights distinguishes them from naturalized citizens. People argue that citizens have special responsibilities by holding these rights that aliens do not.

8 Material C: U.S. Citizenship Test Answer these questions as best as you can, I will not be grading on accuracy but I will be grading on completion and participation. 1.) What do the stripes on the flag mean? 2.) What is the fourth of July? 3.) What country did we fight during the Revolutionary War? 4.) Who elects the President of the United States? 5.) What do we call a change to the Constitution? 6.) What are the three branches of our government? 7.) Who makes the laws in the United States? 8.) What is the Supreme Law of the United States? 9.) What is the Bill of Rights? 10.) Who becomes President of the United States if the President and the Vice President should die? 11.) Who said Give me liberty or give me death! 12.) Which countries were our enemies during WWII? 13.) Who was Martin Luther King Jr.? 14.) Why are there 100 Senators in the Senate?

9 15.) Who selects the Supreme Court Justices? 16.) What is the head executive of a city government called? 17.) Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence? 18.) Where does the freedom of speech come from? 19.) What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? 20.) What special group advises the President? 21.) Who has the power to declare war? 22.) What kind of government does the United States have? 23.) What is the most important right granted to United States citizens? 24.) Name one right guaranteed by the 1 st Amendment? 25.) How many changes or Amendments are there in the United States Constitution?

10 Material D: Simpson s Video Clip on CD

Q6. What do the stripes on the flag represent? 96. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

Q6. What do the stripes on the flag represent? 96. Why does the flag have 13 stripes? Naturalization TEST Civics Items Comparison Current 96 Civics Items Q1. What are the colors of the flag? Q2. What do the stars on the flag mean? Q3. How many stars are there on our flag? Q4. What color