CIVICS

The following pages provide guidelines for teaching your students about civics. The goal is for students to have the opportunity to gain important Enduring Understandings that civics teaches us about ourselves and our world. Note, however, any examination of civics should include examination of state and national constitutions and treaties and how these documents govern the rights and responsibilities of all residents and citizens in Washington and the rest of the United States. Therefore, this civics section lends itself to 8th and 11th grade U.S. History and 12th grade Contemporary World Problems and may be embedded in those courses if districts deem this appropriate.

 

Eighth Grade – Civics

 

EALR Components:

Enduring Understandings/ Essential Questions

Students will come to their own understanding of the following questions:

C1.1 Understand and interpret the major ideas set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and other foundational documents

C1.2 Examine key ideals of United States democracy such as individual human dignity, liberty, justice, equality, and the rule of law

C1.3 Examine representative government and citizen participation

C2.1 Understand and explain the organization of government at the federal, state, and local level including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches

C2.2 Understand the function and effect of law

C2.3 Compare and contrast democracies with other forms of government

C3.1 Understand how the world is organized politically and how nations interact

C3.2 Recognize factors and roles that affect the development of foreign policy by the United States, other nations, and multinational organizations

C4.1 Understand individual rights and their accompanying responsibilities including problem-solving and decision-making at the local, state, national, and international level

C4.2 Identify and demonstrate rights of United States citizenship related to school, local, state, national, and international issues

C4.3 Explain how various stakeholders influence public policy

E3.1 Analyze the role of government as participant in an economy through taxation, spending, and policy setting

G3.3 Examine cultural characteristics, transmission, diffusion and interaction

H2.1 Compare and contrast ideas in different places, time periods, and cultures, and examine the interrelationships between ideas, change and conflict

How did the United States become a democratic republic?

 

What are the origins and continuing influence of the key ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution?

 

How are power and responsibility distributed, shared, and limited in the government established by the United States Constitution?

 

What are the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens?

 

How can citizens participate in civic life?

 

What different types of governments have existed and what has been their impact on the lives of people?

 

How does the U.S. government conduct relations with other nations and international organizations?

 

 

SOME OF THESE AREAS MAY BE EMBEDDED INTO 8TH and 11th GRADE U.S. HISTORY AND 12TH GRADE CONTEMPORARY WORLD PROBLEMS.

 

 


 

CIVICS

A. CIVICS:  Founding a Government

EALR Benchmarks:

 

WHAT

 

Evidence of Learning:

 

HOW

Students will be able to…

Assess- ments

 HOW

WELL

Enduring Understandings/ Essential Questions

 WHY  

CBAs

Students will come to their own understanding of the following questions:

EALRs:

Geography

G3.3.2c Identify how people develop their understandings of culture through the exchange of ideas (Five Themes)

 

 

 

·          Trace the ideas, principles, and government structures the U.S. democracy borrowed from other times and cultures

 

• How did the United States become a democratic republic?

• What are the origins and continuing influence of the key ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution?

 

Civics

C1.1.2a Describe the origins and creation of foundational documents such as the Declaration of Independence

C1.2.2a Explain key democratic ideals of the U.S. government and discuss their application in specific situations

C2.1.2b Describe how the state and federal government derives its power from the consent of the governed through voting, constituent meetings

C2.3.2a Describe the purposes of government and how its powers are acquired, used, and justified

 

·          Identify the factors that led to the creation of the Declaration of Independence and its guiding principles

·          Discuss the purpose of government and the sources of governmental power according to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution

 

See

Consti-tutional

Issues

CBA

• How did the United States become a democratic republic?

• What are the origins and continuing influence of the key ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution?

 

History

H2.1.2 Explain the origin and historical context of major ideas and their impact on societies

 

·         Compare and contrast the differing viewpoints of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists and the resulting compromises

·         Describe the major issues at the Constitutional Convention and the resulting compromises

 

 

• How did the United States become a democratic republic?

• What are the origins and continuing influence of the key ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution?

• How does the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution exert a continuing influence?

 

CIVICS

B. CIVICS: Structure of Government

 

EALR Benchmarks:

 

WHAT

 

Evidence of Learning:

 

HOW

Students will be able to…

Assess- ments

 HOW

WELL

Enduring Understandings/ Essential Questions

 WHY  

 

CBAs

Students will come to their own understanding of the following questions:

 

Civics

C1.3.2a Explain how U.S. citizens govern through representative government and empower representatives to make, interpret, and enforce laws to carry out public policy

C1.3.2b Explain how the U.S. government includes concepts of both a democracy and a republic

C2.1.2b Describe the structure of state and federal government, including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches; federal, state, and local levels, and political parties

C2.2.2 Distinguish among making, enforcing, and interpreting laws

·          Describe the organization, leadership, and powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government on the national, state, tribal and local levels

·          Explain how the U.S. government is both a republic and a democracy

·          Explain how the U.S. government is organized on a federalist model that includes sharing and separation of power and checks and balances on power

 

 

• How are power and responsibility distributed, shared, and limited in the government established by the United States Constitution?

 

 

Economics

E3.1.a Explain the need to establish a legal framework to protect and foster voluntary trade

·         Explain the ways in which government regulated and encouraged trade

 

• How are power and responsibility distributed, shared, and limited in the government established by the United States Constitution?

 


 

 

 

C. CIVICS:  Rights and Responsibilities

EALR Benchmarks:

 

WHAT

 

Evidence of Learning:

 

HOW

Students will be able to…

Assess- ments

 HOW

WELL

Enduring Understandings/ Essential Questions

 WHY  

 

CBAs

Students will come to their own understanding of the following questions:

 

Civics

C1.1.2b Explain specific rights guaranteed by the Constitution and how these rights are related to responsibilities

C1.2.2b Describe efforts to reduce differences between democratic ideals and realities

C4.1.2a Explain how responsibility to the common good might conflict with the exercise of individual rights

C4.1.2b Examine why democracy requires government to protect the rights of citizens and to promote the common good

C4.2.2a Participate in civic discussions with the aim of solving current problems

C4.2.2b Discuss how voting in a representative democracy is a privilege and a responsibility

C4.3.2a Analyze the influence of various interest groups and individuals on the development of public policy and decision-making

C4.3.2b Describe the relationship between civic responsibility and public service

 

 

·          Using examples identify and explain rights guaranteed by the Constitution and its amendments and their impact on the individual

·          Describe the relationship between the citizen and elected representatives and how informed citizens can influence policy

·          Using examples of different groups of people in American society, identify instances in which rights were denied and the struggles that ensued to gain their rights

·          Analyze the tensions that arise between individual liberties and the common good

·          Using examples of different groups who fought for the right to vote, explain why voting is both a privilege and a responsibility

·          Analyze a controversial public issue or problem and offer potential solutions

 

See

Consti-tutional

Issues

CBA

 

• What are the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens?

 

• How can citizens participate in civic life?

 

• What dispositions are important to the preservation and improvement of American constitutional democracy?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

CIVICS

 

 

 


 

D. CIVICS:  Differing Political Systems & Foreign Policy

 

EALR Benchmarks:

 

 

WHAT

 

Evidence of Learning:

 

 

HOW

Students will be able to…

Assess- ments

 

 HOW

WELL

Enduring Understandings/ Essential Questions

 WHY  

 

 

CBAs

Students will come to their own understanding of the following questions:

 

 

Civics

C2.3.2b Describe a variety of forms of government

C2.3.2c Explain how various forms of government have differing effects on the lives of people

C3.1.2a Describe and explain how national interests affect international relations

C3.1.2b Describe U.S. roles and interests in major international organizations and international political alliances

C3.1.3b Evaluate how national interests are maintained through international agreements, treaties, and alliances

C3.2.2a Define and identify foreign policy and the factors that influence it

C3.2.2b Describe and explain historical and contemporary examples of U.S. foreign policy

C3.2.2c Identify and describe the roles of international and multinational organizations in foreign policy

 

·          Using examples, past and present, compare and contrast democratic and autocratic governments and the impact of these governments on the lives of their citizens

·          Explain how federal, state, tribal, and local governments affect groups and individuals

·          Identify how the boundaries of the United States have changed and describe the relationships the country had with its neighbors (current Mexico and Canada), Europe, and Latin America

·          Outline the major treaties with American Indian nations during the administrations of the first four presidents and the varying outcomes of those treaties.

·          Describe the complexities of contemporary foreign policy due to competing interests, such as trade, human rights, and environmental policies

·          Describe the purposes of the United Nations, the WTO, and the NATO Alliance; trace the U.S. relationship and role with each of these organizations

 

 

• What different types of governments have existed inside and outside the United States and what has been their impact on the lives of people?

 

• How does the U.S. government conduct relations with other nations and international organizations?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

UNITED STATES HISTORY

The following pages provide guidelines for teaching your students about the United States from the Revolution to 1900.. While each historical event offers important lessons about our country and its people, it would be nearly impossible to teach students about every event and issue in a way that promotes in-depth understanding. Consequently, you should choose which areas you want to explore deeply and which you will use as points of comparison. The goal is for students to have the opportunity to gain important Enduring Understandings that teach us about ourselves and our world. Any examination of U.S. history should include examination of state and national constitutions and treaties and how these documents govern the rights and responsibilities of all residents and citizens in Washington and the rest of the United States. 

NOTE: There are several sections from 7th grade Washington State History and 8th Grade Civics that logically fold into corresponding areas of 8th grade U.S. History.  Consequently, districts may choose to embed these areas into 8th grade history rather than offer Civics and Washington State History courses as isolated stand-alone courses.

Grade 8 – United States History

 

EALR Components:

 

 

Enduring Understandings/ Essential Questions

Students will come to their own understanding of the following questions:

H1.1 Understand and analyze historical time and chronology

H1.2 Understand events, trends, individuals, and movements shaping the United States

H1.3 Examine the influence of culture on the United States, world, and Washington State history

H2.1 Compare and contrast ideas in different places, time periods, and cultures, and examine the interrelationships between ideas, change and conflict.

H2.2 Understand how ideas and technological developments influence people, culture, and environment

G3.1 Identify and examine people's interaction with and impact on the environment

G3.2 Analyze how the environment and environmental changes affect people

G3.3 Examine cultural characteristics, transmission, diffusion and interaction

E1.1 Understand that the condition of scarcity requires people to choose among alternatives and bear the consequences of that choice

E1.2 Understand that the availability and use of resources influences the production of goods and services in the economy

E2.1 Recognize that both buyers and sellers participate in voluntary trade because both expect to gain

E2.2 Explain how different economic systems produce, distribute, and exchange goods and services

E2.3 Understand that prices in competitive markets create incentives that influence the choices of buyers and sellers

C2.1 Understand and explain the organization of government at the federal, state, and local level including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches

 

How did the United states become a nation and what issues did the young nation face?

 

How did the United States expand and what was the social, political, and cultural impact of this expansion?

 

What progress was made toward social, political, and economic reforms?

 

How has the United States dealt with conflict within its own borders and what are the legacies of these conflicts?

 

How did industrialization, immigration, migration, and urbanization affect the United States to 1900?


 

UNITED STATES HISTORY

 

 

A. US HISTORY Revolution, Constitution, & a New Nation

EALR Benchmarks:

 

WHAT

 

Evidence of Learning:

 

HOW

Students will be able to…

Assess- ments

 HOW

WELL

Enduring Understandings/ Essential Questions

 WHY  

 

CBAs

Students will come to their own understanding of the following questions:

 

Civics

C2.1.2b Describe the structure of state and federal government including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches; federal, state, and local levels; and political parties

 

·          Identify and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

·          Describe the origin of the political parties and their differing viewpoints (Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist)

 

 

• How did the United States become a nation?

 

• What problems did the young nation face?

 

Economics

E2.2.2c Identify laws and values that limit or change what is produced

 

 

·         Graphically represent the triangle trade and explain the social and economic impacts

 

 

• How did the United States become a nation?

 

• What problems did the young nation face?

 

History

H1.1.2a Group events and individuals by broadly defined historical eras and develop related timelines; compare and contrast different cultural measures of time

H1.1.2b Using evidence for support, identify, analyze, and explain possible causal factors contributing to given historical events

U.S. 1.2.2 Identify and analyze major issues, people, and events in U.S. history from the Revolution to 1900 including Revolution, Constitution, and New Nation (1763-1820)

H2.1.2 Explain the origin and historical context of major ideas and their impact on societies

 

·          Identify and analyze the major causes, effects and impact of  the American Revolution

·          Group events, cultural and political groups, and individuals related to the Revolutionary Era on a timeline

·          Identify the issues, groups, and countries involved in the War of 1812 and analyze its importance

 

See

Analyz-ing

Sources

CBA

 

See 

Conflict

CBA

 

 

 

• How did the United States become a nation?

 

• What problems did the young nation face?

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

UNITED STATES HISTORY

 

 

 


 

B. US HISTORY:  Expansion & Reform

 

EALR Benchmarks:

 

WHAT

 

Evidence of Learning:

 

HOW

Students will be able to…

Assess- ments

 HOW

WELL

Enduring Understandings/ Essential Questions

 WHY  

 

 

 

Students will come to their own understanding of the following questions:

 

 

 

CBAs

 

 

 

History

H1.1.2b Using evidence for support, identify, analyze, and explain possible causal factors contributing to given historical events

H2.1.2 Explain the origin and historical context of major ideas and their impact on societies

H2.2.2 Interpret how changing technologies have shaped ideas and attitudes, and analyze the impact of ideas and technological developments on society and culture

U.S. 1.2.2 Identify and analyze major issues, people, and events in U.S. history from the Revolution to 1900 including Expansion and Reform (1801-1861)

H2.2 Understand how ideas and technological developments influence people, culture, and environment

 

• Describe the changing boundaries of the United States and describe the relationships the country had with its neighbors (current Mexico and Canada) and Europe, including the influence of the Monroe Doctrine, and how those relationships influenced westward expansion and the Mexican-American war

• Outline the major treaties with American Indian nations during the administrations of the first four presidents and the varying outcomes of those treaties.

• Describe the purpose, challenges, and economic incentives associated with westward expansion, including the concept of Manifest Destiny, including: the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Accounts of Indian Removal, American Indian nations' responses to expansion, Transcontinental railroad and Chinese labor, Settlement of the Great Plains, and  the new status of western "pioneer women"

• Discuss the importance of Jacksonian democracy and his actions as president (e.g., the spoils system, veto of the National Bank, policy of Indian removal, opposition to the Supreme Court)

• Examine the causes, effects, and ramifications of the Mexican/American War and the Texas War for Independence

• Discuss Mexican settlements, their locations, cultural traditions, attitudes toward slavery, land-grant system, and economies

• Examine the reform movements that developed in the United States, the reasons they developed, and their results

• Examine events, movements, and policies related to slavery, including: Abolition movements, Abolition in early state constitutions, Underground Railroad, Northwest Ordinance, Compromise of 1850, States' Rights Doctrine, Missouri Compromise, Kansas-Nebraska Act, Dred Scott v. Sanford, Lincoln-Douglas debates

 

See

Analyz-ing

Sources

CBA

 

See 

Conflict

CBA

 

 

 

• How did the United States expand and what was the impact of this expansion?

 

• What progress was made toward social, political, and economic reforms?