Sample Activities

Civics Standard One - Grades K-3

After reading or listening to a demonstration of how a person in authority gained his/her office, students could be asked to identify the means of selection as either election, appointment, or family-related [Government]

Given a particular position of authority (President of the United States, school principle), students could be asked to conduct research by reading library books, talking with adults, or interviewing someone in that position in order to develop a list of responsibilities and powers for the office in question [Government]

Parent Partnership Project: Students might have their parents help them identify their major elected officials. During an election year they could clip pictures from campaign literature and newspapers, as well as observe leaders on television [Government].

This activity could be combined or paralleled with a history activity in which students collected images of major historical events (e.g., signing of the Declaration of Independence).

Students might be asked to write a job description for teachers and students which demonstrates an understanding of basic responsibilities [Government; citizenship]

to Civics Standard One.