Content Area: Social Studies

 

Index: 6.2C Grade 8 CPI 5

 

Standard: 6.2 - Civics

 

Strand: C - The Constitution and American Democracy

 

Cumulative Progress Indicator: 5 -  The student will discuss major historical and contemporary conflicts over New Jersey constitutional principles (e.g., the impact of the New Jersey School Law of 1881 which required integration in the state’s public schools, Hedgepeth and Williams v. Trenton Board of Education, the Mount Laurel Decision, Jackman v. Bodine, Abbott v. Burke).

 

Grade: 8

 

Sample Activities:

 

·        Reading Primary Sources. Although many early theories about education applied only to free men, they reflect our young nation’s interest in cultivating the beliefs and principles of democracy. Provide copies of excerpts from the educational writings of Jefferson and Adams. Form two committees of students, one for Jefferson and one for Adams. Each group should attempt to answer the following:
·        What was Jefferson or Adams saying about education?
·        How important did they think schooling was to the nation?

When they have answered these questions, students are ready to develop their own views about the goals of education in a democratic society. Each student writes a paragraph stating his or her view of the place and importance of education in the life of the community.