Civics Standard Three - Grades 6-8

Sample Activities

The question of "What does it take to make a good citizen?" could be debated by individuals or groups in order to explore the necessity of civic participation in society. Students might then write essays concerning one or two responsibilities which explain the reasons why citizens should perform a specific responsibility (e.g., voting) and the consequences of large segments of the population not doing so [Citizenship; participation]

Parent Partnership Project: The activity above might be extended by interviewing parents on "What does it take to make a good citizen?" and develop a list of parental answers in order to search for common characteristics [Citizenship; participation].

Students working in groups might make a list of the ten most important public issues to American teenagers. Then each student would be assigned one or two issues on the list to research, eventually resulting in a briefing for the remainder of the groups on the status of that issue in terms of pending legislation or government policy. Each group would then select one issue to research more thoroughly in order to prepare a position paper which might be used to influence the decision of a legislator or government agent [Citizenship; participation].

to Civics Standard Three.