1. Student knows what government is, why it exists, and how it is shaped by politics and civic life.
- Teen Talk: Students will know what government is, what it does, and how it affects the community as a whole.
- Examples in the classroom:
- Students will explain how the purposes served by government have implications for the individual and society.
- Students will give examples of legitimate authority and exercise of power.
- Service Learning Activities:
- President, U.S. Congressman or Representative, Mayor, Campaign manager.
- Classroom Exploration:
- American Government, U.S. History, International Forum.
2. Students understand the basic constitutional principles and democratic foundations of our national, state, and local political systems.
- Teen Talk: Students will understand the basic principles of the constitution and know what a democracy is and how it works.
- Examples in the classroom:
- Students will trace the inclusion of social contract ideas, natural rights philosophy, and republicanism and the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.
- Students will explain the conditions that are necessary for constitutional government to operate effectively.
- Service Learning Activities:
- Student will volunteer at a courthouse.
- Careers for Exploration:
- Speaker of the House, Governor, and a Museum curator at any Washington D.C. monument.
- Classroom Exploration:
- U.S. History, American Government, International Forum
3. Students know the structure and function of governments, and how citizen involvement and democratic principles shape public policy.
- Teen Talk: Students will understand the reasons that governments exist and how the people can shape them.
- Examples in the classroom:
- Students will evaluate, take, and defend positions on current issues regarding judicial protection of individual rights.
- Students will evaluate a current issue of public policy at local, state, and national levels.
- Service Learning Activities:
- Students will volunteer at an AIDS awareness rally.
- Careers for Exploration:
- Activists, Radical, Columnist
- Classroom Exploration:
- U.S. History, American Government, International Forum
4. Students know the political relationship of the United States and its citizens to other nations and to world affairs.
- Teen Talk: Students will understand the relationship between the US government, their policies, citizens and the world community.
- Examples in the classroom:
- Students will describe the causes and consequences of conflicts among nation states.
- Students will identify current foreign policy issues and evaluating the means the US is using to deal with them.
- Students will explain the tensions between constitutional provisions, national interests, and the requirements of foreign policy.
- Service Learning Activities:
- Students will volunteer at an American Embassy.
- Careers for Exploration:
- Classroom Exploration:
- American Government, International Cuisine
5. Students understand how to exercise the rights and responsibilities of participation in civic life.
- Teen Talk: Students will understand the rights and responsibilities to participate in the world around.
- Examples in the classroom:
- Students will compare and analyze the rights of citizens and non-citizens
- Students will identify the scope and limits of rights.
- Students will describe various ways one can exercise leadership and participate in public affairs.
- Service Learning Activities:
- Students will volunteer at a rally to encourage voter registration.
- Students will volunteer to help with "Kids Voting."
- Careers for Exploration:
- Civil Rights Activist, Public Defender, Superhero
- Classroom Exploration:
- Comparative World Religions, American Government, Ethnic Studies