STANDARD 6.2 (CIVICS) ALL STUDENTS WILL KNOW, UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY AND THE RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ROLES OF A CITIZEN IN THE NATION AND THE WORLD.

 

Descriptive Statement: The purpose of this standard is to prepare students to be informed, active, and responsible citizens in the American democratic republic. It is essential that students have an understanding of the historical foundations, underlying values, and principles upon which the American system of representative democracy is based.  Before citizens can make informed, responsible decisions as voters, jurors, workers, consumers, and community residents, they must have an understanding and appreciation of the fundamental concepts, laws and documents which form the American heritage including the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the New Jersey State Constitution.  Students must understand how a representative democracy works and the value of citizen participation in the nation, state and local communities.  In addition, students must also be prepared to serve as global citizens; that is, students must be aware that the United States has a significant impact on the rest of the world, and conversely, the rest of the world impacts the United States. Technological advances bring the world to our doorstep.  International education enables students to broaden their understanding of global issues that impact their life as Americans.

The study of politics, government, and society should start in early elementary grades with the identification of the need for rules, laws, and structures for decision-making or governance, and proceed through upper elementary grades to identify key documents and ideas that express democratic principles. Intermediate students should examine the various forms of government, the functions of the various branches of our federal government, as well as local and state levels of government. They must understand the ongoing need to balance individual rights and public needs. High school students should build on their prior knowledge and skills by analyzing the scope of governmental power, the spectrum of political views, and how the United States functions in a global society. Students should be encouraged not only to learn about how government works but also to apply their knowledge and to use their critical thinking, listening, and speaking skills to better understand the value of citizen participation in a representative democracy.   

Five major topics are addressed in the indicators and are reflected in the following questions:

• What is government and what should it do?
• What are the basic values and principles of American democracy?
• How does the government established by the Constitution embody the purposes, values, and principles of American democracy?
• What is the relationship of the United States to other nations and to world affairs?
• How can citizens and groups participate effectively in the democratic process?

 

Cumulative Progress Indicators

 

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 4, students will:

 

A.     Civic Life, Politics, and Government

 1.         Describe the characteristics of an effective rule or law (e.g., achieves purpose, clear, fair, protects rights and the common good).

 2.         Differentiate between power and authority.

 3.         Recognize that government exists at the community, county, state, and federal levels.

 4.         Recognize national, state, and local legislators and government officials and explain how to contact them for help or to express an opinion.

 5.         Describe the contributions of voluntary associations and organizations in helping government provide for its citizens.

 

B.     American Values and Principles

 1.         Identify the fundamental values and principles of American democracy expressed in the  Pledge of Allegiance, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and the first New Jersey Constitution.

 2.         Explain the significance of symbols of American values and beliefs, including the Statue of Liberty, the Statue of Justice, the American Flag, and the national anthem.

 3.         Describe how American values and beliefs, such as equality of opportunity, fairness to all, equal justice, separation of church and state, and the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights, contribute to the continuation and improvement of American democracy.

 4.         Evaluate the importance of traditions, values, and beliefs which form a common American heritage in an increasingly diverse American society.

 

C.     The Constitution and American Democracy

 1.         Discuss how the Constitution describes how the United States government is organized and how it defines and limits the power of government.

 2.         Discuss how governmental bodies make decisions and explain the impact of those decisions on school and community life.

 3.         Identify major services provided by state and local government.

 4.         Delineate the respective roles of the three branches of the federal and state governments.

 

D.    Citizenship

 1.         Explain that a citizen is a legally recognized member of the United States with rights and responsibilities, such as voting in elections and serving on juries.

 2.         Describe the significant characteristics of an effective citizen and discuss ways to influence public policy (e.g., serving in elected office, working on a campaign).

 3.         Describe the process by which immigrants can become United States citizens.    

 

E.     International Education: Global Challenges, Cultures, and Connections

 1.         Explain that the world is divided into many nations consisting of territory and people, with their own government, languages, customs, and laws.

 2.        Discuss how the United States interacts with other nations of the world through trade, treaties and agreements, diplomacy, cultural contacts, and sometimes through the use of military force.

 3.         Explain why it is important for nations to communicate and resolve disagreements through peaceful means.

 4.         Outline the purposes of the United Nations.

 5.         Identify current issues that may have a global impact (e.g., pollution, diseases) and discuss ways to address them.

 6.         Explain why it is important to understand diverse peoples, ideas, and cultures.

 7.         Explain that even within a culture, diversity may be affected by race, religion, or class.

 8.         Identify aspects of culture and heritage presented in literature, art, music, sport, or the media.

 9.         Examine common and diverse traits of other cultures and compare to their own culture.

 10.     Use technology to learn about students and their families in other countries through classroom links, email, and Internet research.

 11.     Define stereotyping and discuss how it impacts self-image and interpersonal relationships.