Civics Standard Two - Grades 4-5

Sample Activities

Students might examine specific events preceding the American Revolution (i.e., the Boston Massacre, the Quartering Act, the Quebec Act, etc.), and relate these to specific guarantees which were included in the Bill of Rights [Politics]

This activity connects with History Standards Three and Four.

Students could the Bill of Rights to see how extensive a list of rights they can find in the first ten amendments. Each student would then pick out a particular right and create a story about how someone might be hurt if they did not have this right [Politics].

An examination of school and classroom rules could be the basis for students to investigate the concept of due process. The students would try to determine what responsibilities these rules place on those who enforce them (e.g., to hear witnesses; investigate evidence fairly, allow an appeal of decisions. They would then try to figure out how not having due process rights weakens all other rights [Politics; participation].

During any election year, students could break into groups and research the background and positions of candidates in national, state, and local elections. Each student or group of students would be made responsible for compiling a scrapbook containing campaign paraphernalia and news items concerning that candidate. Students would each be required to prepare and present a speech, song, or ad which would attempt to convince others to vote for their candidate. The activity would culminate the day before the real election with a mock election in the classroom [Politics, participation; citizenship].

to Civics Standard Two.