Middle School Social Studies 1 (World History)
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Middle School Social Studies 2 (Civics)/Middle School Social Studies 2 (Civics) Advanced
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Learning about civics gives students the skills and knowledge necessary to be active citizens who have a positive impact on their communities. In this course, students discover the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in the United States. They learn about the structure of the government and how it works at the local, state, and federal levels. This course examines elections, the lawmaking process, and how citizens can impact public policy. Students also discover ways the United States interacts with countries around the world. Geography and economics support the learning of civics in this course. Engaging in this study prepares students to be informed citizens who are ready to participate in American democracy!
Major Topics and Concepts
Segment One
- Using Maps
- Geography of the United States
- American Culture
- Effective Citizenship
- Naturalization
- Enlightenment
- Principles of American Democracy
- Declaration of Independence
- The U.S. Constitution
- Analyzing Historical Documents
- Structure and Functions of the Federal Government
- Checks and Balances
- The Bill of Rights
- The Amendment Process
- Federalism
- State and Local Governments
- Rule of Law
- The Lawmaking Process
- The U.S. Court System
- Jury Trials
- Local Government and Activism
Segment Two
- Influencing Government
- The Media
- Interest Groups
- Landmark Supreme Court Cases
- Perspectives on Current Issues
- Political Parties
- Elections
- Analyzing Data
- Basic Economic Concepts
- Competition and Entrepreneurship
- Banking in the United States
- Taxes
- Making a Budget
- Comparing the United States and the World
- Cultural Diffusion
- Domestic and Foreign Policy
- Trade and Currency
- International Organizations
Competencies
Federalism
Students will demonstrate an understanding of federalism by comparing the levels of government, describing the lawmaking processes, and explaining the United States court system.
United States Citizenship
Students will demonstrate an understanding of United States citizenship by describing the relationship between citizenship and ecology, summarizing pathways to United States citizenship, and explaining effective citizenship.
United States Government Foundations
Students will demonstrate an understanding of United States government foundations by describing the influences on the Founding Fathers, explaining the structure of the federal government, and evaluating rights contained in the Constitution.
Active Citizenship
Students will demonstrate an understanding of active citizenship by evaluating the impact of constitutional rights, analyzing influential Supreme Court cases, and explaining political activism.
American Economy
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the American economy by explaining economic concepts, describing the role of taxes, and evaluating the banking system.
Global Communities
Students will demonstrate an understanding of global communities by comparing forms of government, describing the effects of geography on the standard of living, explaining the impact of world currencies, and explaining United States foreign policy goals.
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