We The People

Lesson Plan #:AELP-GOV0050

An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan

Submitted by: Debilyn Janota
School or Affiliation: St. Mary Grade School, Stayton, Oregon
Endorsed by: These lesson plans are the result of the work of the teachers who have attended the Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshop. CEC is a consortium of teacher from 14 western states dedicated to improving the quality of education in the rural, western, United States, and particularly the quality of math and science Education. CEC uses Big Sky Telegraph as the hub of their telecommunications network that allows the participating teachers to stay in contact with their trainers and peers that they have met at the Workshops.

Date: May 1994

Grade Level(s): 5, 6, 7, 8

Subject(s):

Social Studies/US Government

Overview: Learning about our American History and our United States Constitution can be fun as well as educational. As a teacher, I want these areas to become alive for my students, to convince my students that everyday they are living a part of history of our country and how these historical events have effected their own lives. I do this by not only lecturing, assigning paperwork but by various activities and projects.

Purpose: Why do we need a government? Lesson introduces the basic concept of the "natural rights" philosophy. After the students recognize a need for government and rules, the students will be asked to think about the benefits and problems of living in a "state of nature" where there are no laws or government. Comparing their ideas with those of the English philosopher John Locke and how his concepts are used in preparing a proper government that protects the natural rights of an individual.

Note: This lesson would take a few class periods. The lesson you see is what I would do the very first day of school to help establish classroom rules. I would continue to cover concepts of natural rights, identify and state the problems of a "state of nature" and conclude with a recapitulation of what was covered and have them try and apply some of these ideas into their daily living.

Objectives: At the conclusion of this lesson:

Students should be able to recognize the need for rules and government.

Students should be able to explain the following terms from the natural rights philosophy: natural rights, state of nature, social contract and consent.

Students should be able to explain the problems that come within a state of nature and their possible solutions and compare their ideas with those of John Locke.

Students should be able to explain how government and laws can protect natural rights.

Materials:

student text

paper

pen

Time Required: 45 minute class -- first day of school/opening day of class

Activities and Procedures:

Introductory Activity -- Who's the boss?

Objective: To recognize the need for government.

The teacher writes on the board: "This is a government class. for the next 10 minutes, we shall explore government."
Make no further comments. Answer no questions. At the end of 10 minutes (or shorter, if the class becomes chaotic), continue.
Give explicit directions as to:
Where they should sit
Lesson assignment -- book, pages, and so on
Students distribution of books (or other materials to be used)
Reading assignment
Materials should:
a.) define government as an institution that makes and enforces laws at federal, state, and local levels.
b.) describe its function to maintain social order, provide public service, provide security and to make binding decisions.
Discuss by stating that they had a good example at the beginning of class of what happens when there is no direction, no authority, no one to make decisions, and so on. (Let the class express feelings.)

Problem Solving: Work together in groups of 5. Answer the following questions and be prepared to present your answers to the class: (Grade 5 book, page 18 student text).

Questions:

1. What might happen in the classroom if there were no rules or laws?
2. What might happen if there were rules and laws, but no one to make sure people obeyed them?
3. What might happen if there were rules and laws, but no one to settle disagreements about them?
4. Write five (5) rules for our classroom. (Keep in mind these rules should benefit all and be accepted by the majority).

The students will present and share their answers and using question #4, work as a class to establish their classroom rules. The time allotted here may have to extend to another day. If the students could at least share their ideas, think about them then come back and decide.

Tying It All Together: My main purpose in using these books and teaching about our American History and our United States Constitution is to provide the students a chance to want to study the subject further and to give them a sense of pride in our American history and our past which leads to our future. The students take a more active role in learning when they are allowed to use the information given to them and be able to actively use the lesson(s) right away and see results.