SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM SIXTH GRADE CIVICS 1 Williamsville C.U.S.D. #15 Social Studies Curriculum Program Title: Program Description: Program Content: Sixth Grade Civics Sixth Grade Civics is designed to develop appreciation and understanding of the ethnic diversity of our country; awareness of the beliefs and values that have shaped our country; understanding of how our United States, Illinois, and local governments work; knowledge of our rights and responsibilities as citizens of the world, the United States and Illinois; understanding of economics and economic systems; recognition of the role of the individual in our society; and skills needed to participate in government. 1. The American Mosaic 2. Citizenship 3. Elections 4. Forms of Government 5. The United Nations 6. United States Government 7. Illinois Government and Constitution 8. Criminal Justice System 9. Economics Program Guide I. THE AMERICAN MOSAIC / E Pluribus Unum A. Ethnic Diversity (18.C) B. Immigration (16.C, 16.D) C. Common Values and Beliefs (18.C) D. Problems (18.C) 1. Stereotypes 2. Prejudice 3. Discrimination II. CITIZENSHIP A. Becoming a U.S. Citizen (14.A) B. Rights and Responsibilities (14.A, 14.C) III. ELECTIONS A. Qualifications to Vote (14.C, 14.F) B. Election Process (14.C, 14.D, 14.F, 16.B) C. Voting Responsibly (14.C) D. Electoral College (14.A) IV. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT A. Purpose of Government (14.B) B. Impact of Values and Beliefs (14.E, 14.F, 18.C)
SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM SIXTH GRADE CIVICS 2 C. Forms of Government (14.B, 18.B) 1. Popularism a. Democracy b. Republic 2. Totalitarian a. Monarchy b. Oligarchy c. Dictatorship D. Pros and Cons of Each Form of Government (14.B, 18.A, 18.B) V. THE UNITED NATIONS A. History (14.D, 14.E, 16.B) B. Purpose (14.E) C. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (14.E) VI. UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT A. Sources of Ideas for New Government (14.F, 14.D, 16.B, 16.D, 18.C) 1. Historical Documents 2. Experiences of Colonists B. Declaration of Independence (14.A, 14.D, 14.F, 16.B, 18.C) C. Articles of Confederation (16.B, 18.B) D. Compromises in the U.S. Constitution (14.A, 14.B 14.D, 14.F) E. American Rights and Responsibilities (14.A, 14.C, 14.D) 1. Bill of Rights 2. Civil Rights (14.F) F. Three Branches of Government (14.A) G. Lawmaking (14.A) VII. ILLINOIS GOVERNMENT AND CONSTITUTION A. Illinois Geography (17.B, 17.C, 17.D) B. Illinois History (16.D, 16.D, 16.E, 16.E, 16.E) C. Statehood (14.D) D. Illinois Constitution (14.A, 14.B, 14.C, 14.D, 14.F, 15.E) E. Relationship of U.S., Illinois, and local governments (14.A, 14.B, 14.C, 14.D, 14.F, 15.E) F. Three Branches (14.A, 14.B, 14.C, 14.D, 14.F, 15.E) G. Lawmaking (14.A, 14.B, 14.C, 14.D, 14.F, 15.E) H. Local Governments (14.A, 14.B, 14.C, 14.D, 14.F, 15.E) I. Articles Not in the U.S. Constitution VIII. CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM A. Criminal Justice Process (14.A, 14.B, 14.C, 18.C) B. Kinds of Evidence (14.C) C. Trial Procedure (14.C, 18.B) D. Criminal Justice Careers (14.C) E. Juvenile Law (14.D, 14.C, 14.F) IX. ECONOMICS
SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM SIXTH GRADE CIVICS 3 A. Choices, Scarcity, and Values (15.B) B. Opportunity and Opportunity Cost (15.B) C. Supply and Demand (15.A, 15.C) D. Market Prices (15.B, 15.C) E. Economic Systems and Productivity (15.A, 15.D, 15.E) F. Market (Capitalism) G. Factors Contributing to Establishment of Systems (18.A, 18.C) H. Pros and Cons of Both Systems (15.A) Social Studies Learning Standards (By the end of the course, students should be able to...) State Goal 14: Understand political systems, with an emphasis on the United States. A. Understand and explain basic principles of the United States government. B. Understand the structure and functions of the political systems of Illinois, the United States and other nations. C. Understand the election processes and responsibilities of citizens. D. Understand the roles and influence of individuals and interest groups in the political systems of Illinois, the United States, and other nations. E. Understand United States foreign policy as it relates to other nations and international issues. F. Understand the development of United States political ideas and traditions. State Goal 15: Understand economic systems, with an emphasis on the United States. A. Understand how different economic systems operate in the exchange, production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. B. Understand that scarcity necessitates choices by consumers. C. Understand that scarcity necessitates choices by producers. D. Understand trade as an exchange of goods or services. E. Understand the impact of government policies and decisions on production and consumption in the economy. State Goal 16: Understand events, trends, individuals and movements shaping the history of Illinois, the United States and other nations. A. Apply the skills of historical analysis and interpretation. B. Understand the development of significant political events. C. Understand the development of economic systems. D. Understand Illinois, United States, and world social history. E. Understand Illinois, United States, and world environmental history. State Goal 17: Understand world geography and the effects of geography on society, with an emphasis on the United States. A. Locate, describe and explain places, regions and features on the Earth. B. Analyze and explain characteristics and interactions of the Earth s physical systems. C. Understand relationships between geographic factors and society. D. Understand the historical significance of geography. State Goal 18: Compare characteristics of culture as reflected in language, literature, the arts, traditions and
SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM SIXTH GRADE CIVICS 4 institutions. A. Compare characteristics of culture as reflected in language, literature, the arts, traditions and institutions. B. Understand the roles and interactions of individuals and groups in society. C. Understand how social systems form and develop over time. Selected References and Other Materials Textbook: Civics: Participating in Government (Prentice Hall, 2001) Teaching Resources: Civics: Participating in Government Teaching Resources (Prentice Hall, 2001) The Kid s Guide to Social Action (Free Spirit Publications, 1991) Freedom (Teacher Created Materials, 1994) - P Democracy, Law, and Justice (Mark Twain Media, Inc., 1996) Update on Law-Related Education (American Bar Association) Illinois State Bar Association Mock Trial Program Training Materials (Illinois State Bar Association Committee on Law-Related Education for the Public) Laws for Youth (Legislative Research Unit, August 1994) Youth and Society (Constitution Rights Foundation, 1991) Quarrels that have Shaped the Constitution (Harper & Row, Publishers, 1962) Intermediate School Kit on the United Nations (United Nations Publication, 1995) Social Education (National Council for the Social Studies) The Prejudice Book (Anti-Defamation League, 1994) Teaching About Cultural Awareness (Center for Teaching International Relations, 1994) On Trial (Dandy Lion Publications, 1997) Jury Trials in the Classroom (Teacher Ideas Press, 1998) Justice & Dissent (The Center for Applied Research in Education, 1995) Illinois Handbook of Government (Secretary of State, 1997-98) Governing Illinois (Illinois Issues, 1991) Understanding the Illinois Constitution (Illinois Bar Foundation, 1986) Our Federal and State Constitutions (AJS Publications, Inc.) Illinois Issues - ( University of Illinois at Springfield) Illinois History Teacher (Illinois Historic Preservation Agency) Broken Squares: A Simulation of Group Cooperation (SPICE, 1994) Teamwork: An Interactive Team Building Unit (Interaction Publishers, Inc., 2000) The Silk Road: Sharing Beliefs and Ideas (SPICE) Heelotia: A Cross-Cultural Simulation Game (SPICE, 1991) Equality: A Simulation of the Struggle for Racial Equality in a typical American City (Interaction Publishers, Inc., 1993) Living in a Global Age: A Simulation of International Trade (SPICE, 1992) Classroom City: A Simulation of Local Government and Economics in a classroom Mini-City (Interaction Publishers, Inc., 1995) Readings: Newsweek magazines Life magazines
SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM SIXTH GRADE CIVICS 5 Newspapers Number the Stars (Houghton-Mifflin, 1989) Justice for All (Prentice-Hall, 1997) Sadako and the Thousand Cranes (G. Putnams s Sons, 1977) Zlata s Diary (Viking, 1994) Sleuth s Supper (Prentice-Hall, 1996) The Apartment House Murder (Paul S. Amidon and Assoc., Inc., 1980) Crime and Punishment (Wild Side) Vachel Spoon River Anthology Films and Videotapes: Computer Software: Prejudice: The Monster Within America Rocks A Few Good Men (excerpt) 12 Angry Men Eyes on the Prize (excerpt) Introduction to Economics China News Stories Decisions, Decisions Prejudice Decisions, Decisions On the Campaign Trail Decisions, Decisions Violence in the Media Decisions, Decisions Town Government Branches of Government Series (Cambridge Educational) Various Internet sites as appropriate throughout the year, to include: <about.com> <mycounsel.com> <civnet.org> <www.closeup.org> <www.un.org> <www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags> <www.usflag.org> <www.vote-smart.org> <www.whitehouse.gov> <www.state.il.us> <oyez.nwu.edu> Audio Tapes: Equipment: Field Trips: Speakers: May It Please the Court Various thematic musical selections Overhead Projector and Screen Television/VCR Tape Player Computer and Computer Projector Polling Place Illinois State Capitol Illinois State Museum State Appellate Defender Theodore Gottfried Representative Raymond Poe Attorneys
SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM SIXTH GRADE CIVICS 6 Police officers Naturalized citizens Assessment Heritage Quilt Block Recruitment Collage for Oobleck Broken Spears Simulation Teamwork Simulation Decisions, Decisions CD-ROM Activities Mock Trial Issues Research and Display Political Party Research Creation of Government for Oobleck Creation of Flag for Oobleck Universal Declaration of Rights Bulletin Board Heelotia Simulation United Nations Day Celebration (optional) Political Cartoon on Weaknesses of the Articles of the Confederation The Silk Road: Sharing Beliefs and Ideas Activity Equality Simulation Evaluation of Significant Supreme Court Case Poster of Supreme Court Case Mock Legislative Session Branches of Government Series Interactive Activity Map of Illinois Geographic Features Cultural Groups of Illinois Presentation Mock General Assembly Session Mock Trial Market and Command Economy Political Cartoon Living in a Global Age Simulation Big Apple Economic Activity (optional) Classroom City Simulation Worksheets Essays Unit Tests