Will You All Please Rise?
Unit At A Glance
In this fully developed unit designed for fifth and sixth grade students, the focus is on the importance of civic participation in a democratic society. The unit begins with learning activities relating to the foundation of societal participation in government in the Roman Republic, and ends with student created public service announcements.
This unit is designed to address the following California State Board of Education's content standards. See below for specific standards addressed. For more information on the standards, or to see the complete list, please visit: www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/
Content Standards
Grade 5 History/Social Studies:
5.7, 5.7.3
Grade 6 History/Social Studies:
6.7, 6.7.2
Language Arts Standards:
2.0, 2.1, 2.3
Listening and Speaking Strategies:
1.0, 1.8
Visual Arts Standard:
2.7
Click here to get more details on these standards and Common Core information
Big Ideas:
Personal habits and attitudes conducive to social harmony lead to a civically virtuous society.
E Pluribus Unum – Out of many, One.
The strength of our democracy is equal to the strength of its citizens.
Essential Question(s) or Issues:
What does civic duty and responsibility mean to a group of young citizens?
Where do we as young students fit into the judicial system?
Whose responsibility is it to educate others about their civic duties and how does that education look?
Do we all have civic responsibilities to our government and what does that duty look like for young adults?
Can a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens change the world?
Lesson One—Defining Civic Duty and Participation.
Analogies, inquiries and reading about the Roman Republic to create a foundation in the understanding of society participation in government.
Lesson Two—Where Do We Fit In?
Our role as citizens as it relates to the judicial system.
Lesson Three—Public Service Announcements.
Creating an authentic PSA to share with peers and community members.