Cosmos Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Do you teach it? What do you cover and when? Any resources to recommend? I'm from the U.S., so my contributions will be U.S.-centric but folks from any country are welcome to join in. So, it's pretty clear to me that the traditional semester of government in high school is not sufficient for preparing students to be good citizens. I think we need to be talking about these topics every year in increasing depth, just like health and nutrition and other life skills. I'm not even sure what topics "civics" generally encompasses. Maybe: rights and responsibilities of citizenship structure of government (federal, state, local) elections and political parties current events (local, national, and global) different forms of government economics media and bias fundamental documents (Declaration of Independence, Constitution) law What am I missing? The following resources are ones I've found through searches. I haven't used any of them yet -- icivics.org -- free online lesson plans and games Prentice Hall Civics text Civics in America Teaching America: The Case for Civic Education Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 I think this is an important subject, and am glad you started this thread. I wish I could add resources, but am myself searching. If I get more ideas I will post. Hearing things from elsewhere in world would also be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendag Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Intellego Unit Studies has a Civics section. There are core units which are aligned to the core standards and other civic units that are electives. I will be using the K-2 core unit, Symbols of America, starting next week. I can't say how the units are since this will be our first. My impression from the reading I've done is that the core units may be more comprehensive or meatier, but maybe someone who has already done one will chime in. Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos Posted August 30, 2012 Author Share Posted August 30, 2012 I forgot to mention the Uncle Eric books by Richard Maybury, covering several civics topics, such as: Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? A fast, clear, and fun explanation of the economics you need for success in your career, business, and investments "Whatever Happened to Justice?" by Richard J. Maybury explores America's legal heritage and shows what's gone wrong with our legal system and economy and how to fix it. "Are You Liberal? Conservative? or Confused?" discusses political labels. What do they mean? Liberal, conservative, left, right, democrat, republican, moderate, socialist, libertarian, communist-what are their economic policies and what plans do their promoters have for your money? "The Money Mystery" explains why Federal Reserve officials remain so afraid of inflation, explains precautions you should take, and explains the wild swings in the stock market. All the Uncle Eric books can be found here at Bluestocking Press. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Twain Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 So, it's pretty clear to me that the traditional semester of government in high school is not sufficient for preparing students to be good citizens. I think we need to be talking about these topics every year in increasing depth, just like health and nutrition and other life skills. Yes, I absolutely agree with the above. I have been teaching civics every year, once per week. Here are some of the resources I have found: HSLDA has a great article about teaching civics from preschool through middle school with a slew of resources listed: http://www.hslda.org/earlyyears/Civics.asp My America and My World (A Beka), grade 1 (for young kids). I haven't looked at any of these readers higher than grade 1, though they may also be useful. O Say Can You See? (Keenan). Great for elementary civics. Why America is Free, A History of the Founding of the American Republic (Good for upper elementary, especially in explaining the Constitution) We do a lot of civics memory work, such as memorize excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. I also have the kids memorize three facts about each one. We have learned the major wars of the U.S. and most of the presidents. We will start putting the wars, dates, and presidents together to give the kids a good outline of American history. The knowledge about the founding documents is extremely useful information for life since it is applicable often for current events, particularly when talking about Supreme Court cases (or when Nancy Pelosi says that the healthcare law is "covered" by the Declaration of Independence). Don't forget that Constitution Day is in September and there are many things going on around then (contests, etc.) to help kids learn about the Constitution. You can also use various holidays as your opportunity to teach civics (Memorial Day, Independence Day, etc.). I just ordered For You They Signed (Boyer) and am looking forward to reading it to the kids this year. __________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NittanyJen Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 Handsofachild.com is having a "Grand Opening Sale" to celebrate their website redesign, (50% off all their curriculum packages) until Aug 31 at midnight, and they have some neat packs for American Government, The Constitution, Elections, and a few other related topics. Many of these are appropriate, according to the website, for grades 4--10, and you can choose whether to go whole-hog for the lapbooking thing, or choose notebooking (less cutesy cutsy-pastey) or buy packs with stuff pre-cut, I think (but that gives you less flexibility to print for multiple kids). You can get ebooks or a CD or printed materials. I have so far used the Elections unit, and it was well-done; my kids learned quite a lot (and they are not fans of the cut/paste/glue stuff-- they hate History Pockets, for example). I did the full-on lapbooking with them, but I did precut everything. I decided to buy the notebooking version of some of the other curriculum packs for less of that activity. Other people love it. The content, however, was wonderful. It came with a teacher guide, and we discussed how elections came to be held in November, on Tuesdays, and so forth; how the parties came about, and the Nast symbols, different methods of balloting, the responsibilities and rights of citizens, the amendments that cleared the way for various groups to vote and when they came about, the process of campaigning, the steps of the electoral process, why we have term limits, caucuses and debates, slogans and campaign promises, and more. I am really looking forward to working with more Hands of a Child units in the future. This particular unit (elections) was secular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 Mark Twain has these and other workbooks. The ones below are only $3.99 now that they have slashed their prices. http://www.currclick.com/product/42946/Democracy%2C-Law%2C-and-Justice?manufacturers_id=345&it=1 http://www.currclick.com/product/42935/Elections?manufacturers_id=345&it=1 I think brainpop has videos and lessons, don't they? I'm trying to cover some basic US geography before hitting the civics, because I think it will be more understandable after covering the geography. I have Get Ready for Social Studies Civics and think it's good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos Posted August 31, 2012 Author Share Posted August 31, 2012 Yes, I absolutely agree with the above. I have been teaching civics every year, once per week. Here are some of the resources I have found: Handsofachild.com is having a "Grand Opening Sale" to celebrate their website redesign, (50% off all their curriculum packages) until Aug 31 at midnight, and they have some neat packs for American Government, The Constitution, Elections, and a few other related topics. Mark Twain has these and other workbooks. Thank you! Bumping for the morning crowd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcross222 Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 I am using these books by Syl Sobel with my lower-mid elementary age kiddos this yr. The Declaration of Independence , How the US Governmnet Works, The Bill of Rights, and Presidential Elections. I found each of them on Amazon for around $5-$6. You can see inside many of them there too. Each is around 35-40 pages and is recommended for grades 3-5. For my 8th graders, I am primarily using icivics.org materials. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Twain Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 Other good things to do-- I bought a large American flag, and we say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. I also made song sheets of patriotic songs. Each morning one of the kids holds the flag, leads the Pledge, and chooses a song for us to sing. This is highly popular at our house and gives us a happy start to the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.... Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 This program has an entire year devoted to civics (according to their description): http://oakmeadow.com/curriculum/eighth-grade.php I'm keeping that in mind for later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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