U.S. GOVERNMENT/CITIZENSHIP


(Social Studies: U.S. Studies Cluster)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This integrated, collaboratively taught Social Studies Content class will provide all students an opportunity to study the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and other related resources, so they will know about, understand, better appreciate, and actively help preserve the basic principles, purposes, and organization of the American form of government and democratic way of life. By satisfying requirements of this study, all students will become more informed, skilled, productive, employable, and socially responsible citizens.

SWRSD OUTCOMES

Outcome 4: Students learn and understand their rights and responsibilities and work together as members of a democratic society.
Outcome 5: Students demonstrate honesty, respect, concern, and caring for themselves, their environment, and others.
Outcome 6: Students use a variety of ways to think and to reason when solving problems and making thoughtful decisions.
COURSE OUTLINE

CONTENT (Essential course facts, concepts, and basic skills; assessed with teacher -made tests and rubrics )

Major Units of Study
A. Purposes of Government
Alaska Content Standard(s): Standard A: Government/Citizenship
(A student should know about and understand how societies define authority, rights, and responsibilities
 through a governmental process)
Key Elements: Student will know about, understand, and demonstrate the ability to
B. Constitutional Foundations and Democratic Principles

Alaska Content Standard(s): Standard B: Government/Citizenship
(A student should know about and understand the constitutional foundations of America's political system
 and the democratic ideals of the nation)

Key Elements: Student will know about, understand, and demonstrate the ability to

C. International Relationships

Alaska Content Standards: Standard D: Government/Citizenship
(A student should know about and understand the role of the United States in international affairs)

Key Elements: Student will know about, understand, and demonstrate the ability to
D. American Citizenship

Alaska Content Standard(s): Standard E: Government/Citizenship
(A student should have the knowledge and skills necessary to participate effectively as an informed and
 responsible citizen)

Key Elements: Student will know about, understand, and demonstrate the ability to
SKILLS (Essential processes or skills, universally taught by all teachers in all courses; assessed with teacher -made rubrics and/or tests )
Major Categories of Skills

A. Cross-curricular and/or Integrative Skills

Key Elements: Student will know about, understand, and demonstrate the ability to
1. effectively communicate (listen, observe, read, write, discuss, present, explain, persuade, defend)
3. use a variety of higher order thinking skills (hypothesizing, estimating, analyzing, classifying, synthesizing, evaluating,inferring, generalizing) to solve common day-to-day problems
Key Elements: Student will know about, understand, and demonstrate the ability to
C. Life and/or Employability Skills
Key Elements: Student will know about, understand, and demonstrate the ability to
respect and treat others equally, from the perspective of the needs and rights of all people
D. Cultural Relevance:



Alaska Content Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools: Student Standards A-E
Key Elements: Student will know about, understand, and demonstrate the ability to

INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES AND MATERIALS


A. Community Resources Related to Course
Each individual and/or team of instructors, with the help of long time staff, students, parents and other concerned community members should cooperatively compile and periodically update a list of village elders, parents, local government leaders, business persons, and other concerned, active members of the community willing to share their wealth of experiences, knowledge and skills. If available, specific examples should be included now.

 B. Major Internet Web Site Addresses Related to Course (a tiny sample)
Or, use one of the many Internet search options to directly access a branch, cabinet department, office, agency, or bureau of the Federal Government or specific information and materials related to a particular topic. What works for the Federal Government also works for the State of Alaska. For example:

Alaska State Government: http://www.state.ak.us/
C. Media Center: Southwest Region School District
 Contact Roz Goodman, the Southwest Region Media Specialist, for help. She has lists of materials related to specific subject areas and will help you find Internet resources or other materials
D. Itinerant Travel Kits and/or Permanent Core Skills Instructors' Materials
The Congress The Bill of Rights (2 vols.) The Right to Keep and Bear Arms
The Presidency The Student Right to Privacy The Democratic & Republican Parties Hail to the Chief The Living Room Campaign Trial by Television
Inside the CIA Inside the Secret Service Prejudice: The Monster Within
Adolph Hitler Joseph Stalin.



Simulations and/or Activity Packets Related to Course
Is Democracy Fair? The Math of Voting & Apportionment; Delinquency: A Mock Trial; Vandalism: A Mock Trial; A Mock Election.

U.S. Civics; Development of American Foreign Policy 1; Development of American Foreign Policy 2; U.S. Government: First 200 Years 1, The U.S. Government: First 200 Years 2; The Oval Office (interactive, multi-media); Capital Hill (interactive, multi-media);.

We the People; The Bill of Rights; Fact, Fantasy & Folklore Fairy Tales for Civic Teachers; Loony Laws & Silly Statutes; The World's Wackiest Law Suits; Guilty or Not Guilty: America's Legal System; Word Games on Law and Justice; American Government Puzzles, Games and Activities; Civics and Government: Focus on Economics; Cross Examination: An Introductory Booklet; Law in the Classroom; Preparing Citizens: Linking Authentic Experiences and the Classroom; Tolerance for Diversity of Beliefs; Are You Liberal, Conservative or Confused? Opposing Viewpoints: The American Government; Opposing Viewpoints: The Political Spectrum.

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(Assessment Guidelines and Grading still "under construction" and awaiting additional in-put)

Teacher-made tests of content units will be required: pre-tests, quizzes, Unit Tests, Final Exams

Processes/Skills will be assessed Rubrics, checklists, et.al.

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(The Following Still Needs Input, Thought, and Work)

ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES AND GRADING
The primary goal of this class is to give all students an opportunity to gain essential new knowledge, comprehension, and skills. To determine if all students are actually attaining this goal, regular, in-progress assessment of student progress will be part of daily in-progress activities and final student projects.

CONTENT KNOWLEDGE TESTS
Minimum Requirements : At the very least, course Content will be regularly assessed with traditional
Teacher-made Tests (multiple choice, completion, true/false, matching, short essay).
CRITERION-REFERENCED TESTS (CRT's)
 STUDENT PERFORMANCE RUBRICS
EXTRA CREDIT WORK
In order to encourage students to pursue high level performances and quality products, all students who have completed required work, including any expected revisions, should be given an opportunity and encouraged to do Extra Credit work that might increase the depth and/or breadth of their understanding.
GRADING
All students will be held accountable for meeting the minimum requirements of all courses and will earn grades based on their ability to demonstrate the acquisition of basic content knowledge and comprehension, and their ability to apply specific essential skills to produce quality finished products. Final Grades in all courses will follow on a traditional "A", "B", "C", "D", "F", "I", system.
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