Citizenship and Government

Grade Level: 5th Grade

Subject: Social Studies 

Time Frame: 4 weeks (October/November)

​

Big Understandings

​

- the origins, structures, and functions of the United States government 

​

Essential Questions

​

- what are democratic ideals and practices and their historic origins?
- were the founding fathers correct in keeping the Constitution open for flexibility and interpretation? Why?
- how have historical documents defined and distributed power?

​

​

By the end of the unit, students will be able to:

​

- explain the historical foundation and the events that led to the establishment of the United States government (the colonial experience, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution
- identify political principles of American democracy and how the Constitution and Bill of Rights reflect and preserve these principles
- explain the origins, structures, and functions of the three branches of the United States government and the relationships among them
- describe how the decisions of the national government affect local and state government 

​

Topics:

​

◦ Individual rights 
◦ Criteria and process for becoming a citizen 
◦ Principles of American democracy 
◦ Importance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights to American democracy 
◦ Three branches of government- origin, structure, and functions  
◦ Checks and balances 
◦ Relationship between local, state, and national government  

​

Standards

SS.5.4.2