Grade/Course: 8 th Grade Social Studies Enduring Understandings: 1. Human beings need and create government 6.1.8.A.3.b,f; 6.1.8.A.2.b;6.1.8.B.3.b 2. Citizens in a democracy have specific rights and responsibilities. 6.1.8.A.3.a,b; 6.3.8.A.2; 6.3.8.D.1 Unit: Power to the People Length: 4 Weeks 3. Governmental systems reflect the knowledge, values, traditions, and beliefs of their founders. 6.1.8.A.3.a,b,d,f 4. Knowledge of how the government works impacts the decisions and choices citizens make. 6.1.8.A.3.b,c,d,e,f,g Essential Questions Critical Knowledge and Needed Skills Resources Assessments What is government? How does it operate? What are the roles and responsibilities in a democracy? Is government necessary? Why or why not? What is the purpose of checks and balances? How do governments balance the rights of individuals with the Critical Knowledge Humans need and create government. Citizens of a nation have specific rights and responsibilities as US citizens. Governmental systems reflect the knowledge, values, traditions and beliefs of their founders. Knowledge of the US Constitution has helped and continues to help US citizens to make informed choices and decisions. Various governmental systems exist and each type has particular characteristics. Discovery Education National Archives form on analyzing photographs/artwork found at www.archives.gov/digital_classro om/index.html Teacher Created Learning Materials Primary Source Boxes: American Revolution, Constitution and New Government Teacher Created Learning Materials Binder: The Constitution and New Government www.thisibelieve.org http://constitutioncenter.org/ Formative Suggestions: Quizzes Tests Homework Map Study Graphic Organizers Journal Writes Socratic Dialogue Debates Short Research Report Summative Suggestions: Performance Task This I Believe Writing Activity ~Or~ Constitutional Scavenger Hunt Benchmark - MANDATORY Primary Source Data Based
common good? How is the Constitution a living document? Needed Skills Resolve conflicts through compromise. Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources to make informed decisions. Analyze the structure of government as provided in the US Constitution. Create, revise, edit, and publish writings in various modes persuasive, informative, and creative, etc. http://congress.org www.house.gov www.whitehouse.gov Gloucester Township: Grade Level Film List Gloucester Township: Social Studies Wiki Question (DBQ) The Founding of the Nation Identify and briefly comment on 4 of the 5 primary sources and then write an in-class essay on one of these explaining how it reflects the development of government and nation. Modifications may be necessary for specific student populations. Modifications should adhere to NJASK Language Arts Literacy criteria. Analyze and debate current issues that influence governmental decisions. Use oratorical strategies to persuade and defend an issue. Use computer applications to gather and organize information and to solve problems. Expand student vocabulary in civics through word analysis and context clue settings. 5 Primary Sources from TCM Materials American Revolution and Constitution and New Government Packets 1. Paul Revere s Boston Massacre 2. Revolution Flag Join or Die 3. Excerpt from the Articles of Confederation
4. Painting of George Washington 5. Draft of The Bill of Rights Note: 5 choices reflect a range of opportunities for various learning styles and abilities. Students may use unit notes and handouts to guide the writing.
Key Terms Preamble, democracy, republic, Articles of Confederation, Shays Rebellion, Northwest Ordinance, Federalism, Federalist, Anti-Federalist, territory, statehood, primary source, secondary source, bill, Bill of Rights, original, Library of Congress, corrupt, obviate, emit, currency, facilitate, compromise, Threefifths Compromise, ethics, justification, ratification, electoral college, legislative branch, executive branch, judicial branch, checks & balances, veto, natural rights, social contract, divine right of kings, subjects, electorate, popular sovereignty, citizen(ship), responsibility, expectations, right, privilege, amendment, republic, totalitarian, dictatorship, monarchy, democracy, aristocracy, oligarchy, confederation,etc. Curriculum Connections Suggestions Geography: Compare and contrast early and modern maps of Washington D.C. LAL: Persuasive Writing: Conduct a debate or written argument using So You Think You Can Argue http://www.icivics.org/teachers/lessonplans/lesson-1-so-you-think-you-canargue. LAL: Adapt to a Founding Father as found on Ways of Looking at a Poem. Math: View and analyze the national debt clock in real-time to calculate and compare expenses and government spending. Science: Research medical practices used during the Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia. Fine and Performing Arts: Perform Type of Government Skits. View and discuss Signing of the Constitution by Howard Chandler Christy Current Events
Video Rights and Responsibilities Bill of Rights: U.S. Supreme Court Constitution The Role of the Constitution Composing the Constitution The Judicial Branch: The Story of the Supreme Court and the Constitution The Writing of the Constitution: Forming the Judicial Branch The Bill of Rights Establishing the Bill of Rights Lessons Learned from the Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation: 1781-1788 The Preamble The Preamble Daniel Shays' Rebellion 1786-87: Massachusetts Farmers Rebel Against State Government Taxes The Problem of Debt and Shays's Rebellion National Government Footage and Commentary: The Federalist Opposition to the Constitution, the Inclusion of a Bill of Rights, and the Ratification of the Constitution The Anti-Federalists' Bill of Rights Federalists & the Judiciary The Three-Fifths Compromise Three Branches of Government Building a Three-Part Government The Legislative Branch of the Government The Judicial Branch of the Government The Executive Branch of the Government Checks and Balances Thomas Paine and the American Revolution
Audio Skill Builder Thomas Jefferson's Vision of a Republic The Rise of Fascism in Italy, Russia, and Germany Military Dictatorships Learning from the Past: How American Democracy Incorporated Ideas from Other Sources The Magna Carta and the Success of Parliamentary Democracy Epilogue: The End of the Age of Aristocracy 1787: Constitutional Convention: Constitution and Bill of Rights are Ratified: George Washington is America's First President Footage and Commentary: The Great Compromise and Delegates Sign the Constitution on September 17, 1787 U.S. Government: The First 200 Years: A Constitution for Yesterday, a Constitution for Today U.S. Government: The First 200 Years: Government Structure Is Proposed U.S. Government: The First 200 Years: Asserting Authority & the Emergence of Political Parties Distribution of Power in the Federal Government Separation of Powers