Citizenship in the Classroom and Community (Civics)

Grade Level: kinder

Subject: Social Studies 

Time Frame: 2 weeks (Quarter 1)

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Big Understandings

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- understand that civic participation takes place in multiple groups and in various forms
- participate in making fair and reasoned decisions using democratic traditions 

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Essential Questions

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- what would it look like to have no rules?
- how can we solve conflict in a fair manner?
- why do we consider voting fair?
- what qualities make people responsible and engaged citizens?
- why would people want to have friends from different groups?
- what can you do to be an active and helpful member of your class and school?

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

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- differentiate among examples of civic participation (voting, debating, running for office, protesting, and volunteering)
- explain the qualities of an informed and engaged citizen
- practice citizenship skills including: courtesy, honesty, equity, and fairness when working with others 

- explain why rules are needed
- create and follow classroom rules
- explain how a class rule may promote fairness and resolve conflict, and compare against a rule that does not
- contribute to making and maintaining class community decisions made by authorities (a parent, teacher, principal, and a police officer)

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Topics:

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◦ Creating classroom rules
◦ personal interactions with others (positive classroom citizen)
◦  Positive member of family, neighborhood, school, community
◦ Characteristics of an active and helpful member of the classroom and community
◦ Rules for working together and independently (practice using rules)
◦ Bucket filling

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Standards

SS.K.4.1
SS.K.4.2