ASSIGNMENTS
in partnership with iCivics
Unit 1 - Foundations of Government
"It is the responsibility of the patriot to protect his country from its government. "
- Thomas Paine
OVERVIEW
Students examine the purpose, forms, and limitations on government. They will learn about key philosophers like John Locke and explore practical examples of government functions. Students will gain an understanding of different forms of government, key influences on American democratic principles, and distinguishing features of governments around the world.
UNIT 1 TASKS
- Thomas Paine
OVERVIEW
Students examine the purpose, forms, and limitations on government. They will learn about key philosophers like John Locke and explore practical examples of government functions. Students will gain an understanding of different forms of government, key influences on American democratic principles, and distinguishing features of governments around the world.
UNIT 1 TASKS
- Classwork 1 - Introduction to CIVICS and Unit 1.
- Introduction to CIVICS
- GO OVER SYLLABUS
- Assignment 1.1 - Why Government?
- Assignment 1.2 - Sovereign State
- Assignment 1.3 - Who Rules?
- Assignment 1.4 - Limiting Government
- Assignment 1.5 - Rule of Law
UNIT 2: The Constitution
"“One thing is clear: The Founding Fathers never intended a nation where citizens would pay nearly half of everything they earn to the government.”
― Ron Paul
OVERVIEW
How did we go from a bunch of British colonies to the United States of America? Explore the major gripes of life under British rule, how the colonists decided to break away, and how they set the path for a new government.
Students learn how our Constitution was created and what some of its key characteristics are. They will also explore key amendments to the Constitution and their application in protecting citizens' rights.
UNIT 2 TASKS:
1. Assignment 2.1 - Colonial Influences
2. Assignment 2.2 - Hey King!: Get off Our Backs
3. Assignment 2.3 - Wanted: A Just Right Government
4. Assignment 2.4 - Anatomy of the Constitution
5. Assignment 2.5 - You've Got Rights!
6. Assignment 2.6 - Do I have a Right? (game)
7. Assignment 2.7 - Do I have a Right? Bill of Rights Edition (game)
8. Assignment 2.8 - The Constitution: Rules for running a Country (web quest)
9. Assignment 2.9 - Three Branches (web quest)
10. Assignment 2.10 - Separation of Powers (What's for lunch)
11. Assignment 2.11 - Federalism
12. Assignment 2.12 - Power Play (game)
13. Assignment 2.13 - Student Expression (drafting board)
― Ron Paul
OVERVIEW
How did we go from a bunch of British colonies to the United States of America? Explore the major gripes of life under British rule, how the colonists decided to break away, and how they set the path for a new government.
Students learn how our Constitution was created and what some of its key characteristics are. They will also explore key amendments to the Constitution and their application in protecting citizens' rights.
UNIT 2 TASKS:
1. Assignment 2.1 - Colonial Influences
2. Assignment 2.2 - Hey King!: Get off Our Backs
3. Assignment 2.3 - Wanted: A Just Right Government
4. Assignment 2.4 - Anatomy of the Constitution
5. Assignment 2.5 - You've Got Rights!
6. Assignment 2.6 - Do I have a Right? (game)
7. Assignment 2.7 - Do I have a Right? Bill of Rights Edition (game)
8. Assignment 2.8 - The Constitution: Rules for running a Country (web quest)
9. Assignment 2.9 - Three Branches (web quest)
10. Assignment 2.10 - Separation of Powers (What's for lunch)
11. Assignment 2.11 - Federalism
12. Assignment 2.12 - Power Play (game)
13. Assignment 2.13 - Student Expression (drafting board)
Unit 3: Legislative Branch
The natural liberty of man is to be free from any superior power on Earth, and not to be under the will or legislative authority of man, but only to have the law of nature for his rule.
- Samuel Adams
OVERVIEW
Discover the structure, function, and powers of the legislative branch of government. Students will explore the legislative process as well as the influence of citizens and political parties.
UNIT 3 TASKS:
1. Assignment 3.1 - Congress in a Flash
2. Assignment 3.2 - Making Laws (web quest)
3. Assignment 3.3 - Why do we have a HOUSE and SENATE anyway?
4. Assignment 3.4 - Voting in Congress: More than just yea or nay
5. Assignment 3.5 - Represent Me (game)
6. Assignment 3.6 - Who Represents me? (web quest)
7. Assignment 3.7 - Law Craft (game)
- Samuel Adams
OVERVIEW
Discover the structure, function, and powers of the legislative branch of government. Students will explore the legislative process as well as the influence of citizens and political parties.
UNIT 3 TASKS:
1. Assignment 3.1 - Congress in a Flash
2. Assignment 3.2 - Making Laws (web quest)
3. Assignment 3.3 - Why do we have a HOUSE and SENATE anyway?
4. Assignment 3.4 - Voting in Congress: More than just yea or nay
5. Assignment 3.5 - Represent Me (game)
6. Assignment 3.6 - Who Represents me? (web quest)
7. Assignment 3.7 - Law Craft (game)
Unit 4 - The Executive Branch
"The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
OVERVIEW
Students will learn about the executive branch, including the unique role and powers of the president and the function of executive departments and agencies.
UNIT 4 TASKS:
1. Assignment 4.1 - For the President, All in a Day's Work
2. Assignment 4.2 - Being President (web quest)
3. Assignment 4.3 - A Very Big Branch
4. Assignment 4.4 - Executive Roles: Money Doesn't Grow on Trees?
5. Assignment 4.5 - Executive Command
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
OVERVIEW
Students will learn about the executive branch, including the unique role and powers of the president and the function of executive departments and agencies.
UNIT 4 TASKS:
1. Assignment 4.1 - For the President, All in a Day's Work
2. Assignment 4.2 - Being President (web quest)
3. Assignment 4.3 - A Very Big Branch
4. Assignment 4.4 - Executive Roles: Money Doesn't Grow on Trees?
5. Assignment 4.5 - Executive Command
Unit 5 - The Judicial Branch
"All the rights secured to the citizens under the Constitution are worth nothing, and a mere bubble, except guaranteed to them by an independent and virtuous Judiciary."
- Andrew Jackson
OVERVIEW
The significance of the judiciary; the structure of the American court system; the selection process for members of the judiciary; power of the courts; and historic court decisions are the highlights of this unit of study.
UNIT 5 TASKS:
1. Assignment 5.1 - Judicial Branch in a Flash
2. Assignment 5.2 - The courts in a nutshell (web quest)
3. Assignment 5.3 - Sources of Law
4. Assignment 5.4 - Trial Court "go fish"
5. Assignment 5.5 - James Bond in a Honda: Trial Simulation
6. Assignment 5.6 - We the Jury (game)
7. Assignment 5.7 - CourtQuest (game)
8. Assignment 5.8 - Appellate Courts: Let's take this baby up!
9. Assignment 5.9 - Argument Wars (game)
10. Assignment 5.10 - In the courts (web quest)
11. Assignment 5.11 - Supreme Decision
12. Assignment 5.12 - The Supreme in Supreme Decision
13. Assignment 5.13 - Interpreting the Constitution: What does that mean?
14. Assignment 5.14 - McCulloch vs. Maryland
15. Assignment 5.15 - You be the Judge (web quest)
16 Assignment 5.16 - Branches of Power (game)
- Andrew Jackson
OVERVIEW
The significance of the judiciary; the structure of the American court system; the selection process for members of the judiciary; power of the courts; and historic court decisions are the highlights of this unit of study.
UNIT 5 TASKS:
1. Assignment 5.1 - Judicial Branch in a Flash
2. Assignment 5.2 - The courts in a nutshell (web quest)
3. Assignment 5.3 - Sources of Law
4. Assignment 5.4 - Trial Court "go fish"
5. Assignment 5.5 - James Bond in a Honda: Trial Simulation
6. Assignment 5.6 - We the Jury (game)
7. Assignment 5.7 - CourtQuest (game)
8. Assignment 5.8 - Appellate Courts: Let's take this baby up!
9. Assignment 5.9 - Argument Wars (game)
10. Assignment 5.10 - In the courts (web quest)
11. Assignment 5.11 - Supreme Decision
12. Assignment 5.12 - The Supreme in Supreme Decision
13. Assignment 5.13 - Interpreting the Constitution: What does that mean?
14. Assignment 5.14 - McCulloch vs. Maryland
15. Assignment 5.15 - You be the Judge (web quest)
16 Assignment 5.16 - Branches of Power (game)
UNIT 6: State and Local Government
"As more and more women, men and young people raise their voices and become active in local government, and more local leaders take action for the safety of women and girls, change happens."
- Michelle Bachelet
OVERVIEW
How do state and local governments work, and what is their relationship to citizens and the federal government? In this unit, students learn about the powers states have as well as the role of states and smaller units as the governments closest to citizens. They find out how state constitutions are similar and different from the U.S. Constitution, why county governments are important, and what their Congressional representatives do for local citizens.
UNIT 6 TASKS:
1. Assignment 6.1 - State Power: Got a Reservation?
2. Assignment 6.2 - The Great State
3. Assignment 6.3 - The State Governor
4. Assignment 6.4 - States Rule (web quest)
5. Assignment 6.5 - Comparative Constitutions
6. Assignment 6.6 - The Capable County
7. Assignment 6.7 - County Basics (web quest)
8. Assignment 6.8 - Counties Work (game)
9. Assignment 6.9 - Who Represents Me? (web quest)
10. Assignment 6.10 - Power Play (game)
- Michelle Bachelet
OVERVIEW
How do state and local governments work, and what is their relationship to citizens and the federal government? In this unit, students learn about the powers states have as well as the role of states and smaller units as the governments closest to citizens. They find out how state constitutions are similar and different from the U.S. Constitution, why county governments are important, and what their Congressional representatives do for local citizens.
UNIT 6 TASKS:
1. Assignment 6.1 - State Power: Got a Reservation?
2. Assignment 6.2 - The Great State
3. Assignment 6.3 - The State Governor
4. Assignment 6.4 - States Rule (web quest)
5. Assignment 6.5 - Comparative Constitutions
6. Assignment 6.6 - The Capable County
7. Assignment 6.7 - County Basics (web quest)
8. Assignment 6.8 - Counties Work (game)
9. Assignment 6.9 - Who Represents Me? (web quest)
10. Assignment 6.10 - Power Play (game)
Unit 7 - Citizenship & Participating in Government
"This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or exercise their revolutionary right to overthrow it."
- Abraham Lincoln
OVERVIEW
This unit presents students with an overview of the operation of the contemporary political system in the United States and emphasizes the essence of our civic responsibility. A study of the historical evolution of political parties, the voting and electoral processes and an exploration of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship anchor this unit.
UNIT 7 TASKS
1. Assignment 7.1 - Citizen Me
2. Assignment 7.2 - Just the Facts
3. Assignment 7.3 - Immigration Nation (game)
4. Assignment 7.4 - Immigration (web quest)
5. Assignment 7.5 - Responsibility Launcher (game)
6. Assignment 7.6 - The Fourth Branch: You!
7. Assignment 7.7 - Civic Heroism (web quest)
8. Assignment 7.8 - Students Engage
9. Assignment 7.9 - Activate (game)
10. Assignment 7.10 - The Global You
11. Assignment 7.11 - A Trip around the world
12. Assignment 7.12 - Community Service (drafting board)
- Abraham Lincoln
OVERVIEW
This unit presents students with an overview of the operation of the contemporary political system in the United States and emphasizes the essence of our civic responsibility. A study of the historical evolution of political parties, the voting and electoral processes and an exploration of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship anchor this unit.
UNIT 7 TASKS
1. Assignment 7.1 - Citizen Me
2. Assignment 7.2 - Just the Facts
3. Assignment 7.3 - Immigration Nation (game)
4. Assignment 7.4 - Immigration (web quest)
5. Assignment 7.5 - Responsibility Launcher (game)
6. Assignment 7.6 - The Fourth Branch: You!
7. Assignment 7.7 - Civic Heroism (web quest)
8. Assignment 7.8 - Students Engage
9. Assignment 7.9 - Activate (game)
10. Assignment 7.10 - The Global You
11. Assignment 7.11 - A Trip around the world
12. Assignment 7.12 - Community Service (drafting board)
Unit 8 - Public Policies and Politics
"Help others and give something back. I guarantee you will discover that while public service improves the lives and the world around you, its greatest reward is the enrichment and new meaning it will bring your own life."
- ARNOLD SHWARZENEGGER
OVERVIEW
The term public policy covers the whole range of government actions designed to improve life in the United States. How much we pay in sales tax or into social security, whether the Clean Air Act is enforced, how many food stamps a family can receive, how best to patrol the borders, and even whether children need to pass a test before graduating from high school are all matters of domestic policy. Because domestic policy covers so much, people have widely divergent opinions about what constitutes the “right” policy. People also disagree about how best to create and implement such policies.
UNIT 8 TASKS
1. Assignment 8.1 - Electoral Process
2. Assignment 8.2 - One Big Party
3. Assignment 8.3 - The Political Spectrum (coming soon)
4. Assignment 8.4 - Candidate Evaluation (web quest)
5. Assignment 8.5 - Cast your vote (game)
6. Assignment 8.6 - Mock Election (simulation)
7. Assignment 8.7 - Got Ballot?
8. Assignment 8.8 - Win the White House (game)
9. Assignment 8.9 - Electoral College (drafting board)
- ARNOLD SHWARZENEGGER
OVERVIEW
The term public policy covers the whole range of government actions designed to improve life in the United States. How much we pay in sales tax or into social security, whether the Clean Air Act is enforced, how many food stamps a family can receive, how best to patrol the borders, and even whether children need to pass a test before graduating from high school are all matters of domestic policy. Because domestic policy covers so much, people have widely divergent opinions about what constitutes the “right” policy. People also disagree about how best to create and implement such policies.
UNIT 8 TASKS
1. Assignment 8.1 - Electoral Process
2. Assignment 8.2 - One Big Party
3. Assignment 8.3 - The Political Spectrum (coming soon)
4. Assignment 8.4 - Candidate Evaluation (web quest)
5. Assignment 8.5 - Cast your vote (game)
6. Assignment 8.6 - Mock Election (simulation)
7. Assignment 8.7 - Got Ballot?
8. Assignment 8.8 - Win the White House (game)
9. Assignment 8.9 - Electoral College (drafting board)
Unit 9 - Media and Influence
"Economic depression cannot be cured by legislative action or executive pronouncement. Economic wounds must be healed by the action of the cells of the economic body - the producers and consumers themselves."
- Herbert Hoover
OVERVIEW
Students learn how the media and interest groups influence discussions that take place in the “public sphere” and ultimately influence the government. They also identify and apply the seven types of propaganda to see how messages are designed to influence us individually. The unit challenges students to take a critical look at all these sources of constructed messages through a variety of activities.
UNIT 9 TASKS:
1. Assignment 9.1 - The Public Square
2. Assignment 9.2 - The Role of Media
3. Assignment 9.3 - Interest Groups
4. Assignment 9.4 - Propanda: What's The Message?
5. Assignment 9.5 - Interest Groups (drafting board)
- Herbert Hoover
OVERVIEW
Students learn how the media and interest groups influence discussions that take place in the “public sphere” and ultimately influence the government. They also identify and apply the seven types of propaganda to see how messages are designed to influence us individually. The unit challenges students to take a critical look at all these sources of constructed messages through a variety of activities.
UNIT 9 TASKS:
1. Assignment 9.1 - The Public Square
2. Assignment 9.2 - The Role of Media
3. Assignment 9.3 - Interest Groups
4. Assignment 9.4 - Propanda: What's The Message?
5. Assignment 9.5 - Interest Groups (drafting board)
UNIT 10 - Civil Rights
"One individual can begin a movement that turns the tide of history. Martin Luther King in the civil rights movement, Mohandas Gandhi in India, Nelson Mandela in South Africa are examples of people standing up with courage and non-violence to bring about needed changes."
- Jack Canfield
OVERVIEW
Our civil rights curriculum unit covers the early days of the expansion of slavery in the United States through the momentous 1950s and 60s and the modern Civil Rights Movement. Four lessons use primary documents, readings, activities, and more to introduce key concepts and events.
UNIT10 TASKS:
1. Assignment 10.1 - Slavery: No Freedom, No Rights
2. Assignment 10.2 - Civil War and Reconstruction
3. Assignment 10.3 - Jim Crow
4. Assignment 10.4 - The Road to Civil Rights
5. Assignment 10.5 - Voting Rights
6. Assignment 10.6 - Civic Action (Coming Soon)
- Jack Canfield
OVERVIEW
Our civil rights curriculum unit covers the early days of the expansion of slavery in the United States through the momentous 1950s and 60s and the modern Civil Rights Movement. Four lessons use primary documents, readings, activities, and more to introduce key concepts and events.
UNIT10 TASKS:
1. Assignment 10.1 - Slavery: No Freedom, No Rights
2. Assignment 10.2 - Civil War and Reconstruction
3. Assignment 10.3 - Jim Crow
4. Assignment 10.4 - The Road to Civil Rights
5. Assignment 10.5 - Voting Rights
6. Assignment 10.6 - Civic Action (Coming Soon)
UNIT 11: International Affairs
“When diplomacy ends, War begins.”
― Adolf Hitler
OVERVIEW
Students learn about the complex interactions that exist in our globalized world. They examine the evolution of diplomacy and international interdependence by looking at recent and historical global events.
UNIT 11 TASKS:
1. Assignment 11.1 - Diplomacy
2. Assignment 11.2 - Conflict and Cooperation
3. Assignment 11.3 - International Influence
4. Assignment 11.4 - International Organizations
5. Assignment 11.5 - Crisis of Nations (game)
6. Assignment 11.6 - Military Intervention (drafting board)
― Adolf Hitler
OVERVIEW
Students learn about the complex interactions that exist in our globalized world. They examine the evolution of diplomacy and international interdependence by looking at recent and historical global events.
UNIT 11 TASKS:
1. Assignment 11.1 - Diplomacy
2. Assignment 11.2 - Conflict and Cooperation
3. Assignment 11.3 - International Influence
4. Assignment 11.4 - International Organizations
5. Assignment 11.5 - Crisis of Nations (game)
6. Assignment 11.6 - Military Intervention (drafting board)
UNIT 12: Government and the Market
"Only buy something that you'd be perfectly happy to hold if the market shut down for 10 years."
- Warren Buffett
OVERVIEW
In this unit, students learn about the relationship between the government and the economy. Starting with the basics of the market economy, students learn about government regulations on our market economy, where the government gets its money and what the government spends it on, and how banks and lending influence our economic system. Each lesson is a basic overview of a very broad topic and includes activities designed to show students how these topics affect their own lives.
UNIT 12 TASKS:
1. Assignment 12.1 - The Market Economy
2. Assignment 12.2 - Government and the Economy
3. Assignment 12.3 - Taxation
4. Assignment 12.4 - Government Spending
5. Assignment 12.5 - Peoples Pie (game)
6. Assignment 12.6 - Banks, Credit, and The Economy
7. Assignment 12.7 - Kids and Credit (drafting board)
- Warren Buffett
OVERVIEW
In this unit, students learn about the relationship between the government and the economy. Starting with the basics of the market economy, students learn about government regulations on our market economy, where the government gets its money and what the government spends it on, and how banks and lending influence our economic system. Each lesson is a basic overview of a very broad topic and includes activities designed to show students how these topics affect their own lives.
UNIT 12 TASKS:
1. Assignment 12.1 - The Market Economy
2. Assignment 12.2 - Government and the Economy
3. Assignment 12.3 - Taxation
4. Assignment 12.4 - Government Spending
5. Assignment 12.5 - Peoples Pie (game)
6. Assignment 12.6 - Banks, Credit, and The Economy
7. Assignment 12.7 - Kids and Credit (drafting board)
Current Events
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