Skills Based Learning Targets (year long)

• Analyze a variety of textual sources, including primary and secondary written sources, tables and graphs, and maps to demonstrate understanding and use information from these sources to understand historical questions (Reading Analysis)
• Synthesize information from a variety of sources and places and use it to come to a broader understanding or form an argument (Synthesis)
• Write a clearly described and detailed argument and defend it using historical evidence (Argumentation)
• Write and speak coherently and clearly in a variety of formats and settings and clearly present information both visually & verbally (Communication)
• Analyze and understand the relationship between causes and effects in history and use it to further their understanding of historical processes and events (Cause & Effect)
• Use compare and contrast methods to analyze historical processes and events (Compare & Contrast)

Content Based Learning Targets (by unit)

• Understand the requirements and process to gain or lose citizenship (9.1.3.5.1)
• Identify the functions of government
• Understand the overarching principles of democratic governments
• Compare the philosophies, structures and operations of different types of governments (9.1.5.12.1)
• Understand ideas that influenced American democracy, including: Magna Carta, natural rights, social contract, separation of powers, and precedent (9.1.2.3.3)
• Understand the historical background of the Constitutional Convention, including the role of the American Revolution, First and Second Continental Congress, and the Articles of Confederation
• Identify the major compromises of the Constitutional Convention and understand their impact on the shape of the U.S. government
• Identify and define the five major principles of the U.S. Constitution, including: popular sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, and rule of law (9.1.2.3.3)
• Analyze and describe the features of the Constitution that have made it successful and flexible over the entire history of the U.S.
• Identify the provisions of the Constitution which delegate federal government powers and distinguish between the powers delegated to the federal government and the powers retained by the people and the state (9.1.4.6.1)
• Identify the purpose of each article of the Constitution, including the overall role of each branch of government. (9.1.4.6.2 - 9.1.4.6.4)
• Understand the meaning and importance of rights in the Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments (9.1.3.4.1)
• Explain the scope and limits of rights protected by the Bill of Rights and changes created by legislative action and court interpretation (9.1.3.4.2, 9.1.3.4.3)
• Explain the current and historical interpretations of the principles of due process and equal protection of the law (9.1.3.4.4)
• Analyze the government’s dual role of protecting individual rights and promoting the general welfare (9.1.2.3.5)
• Explain the duties and responsibilities for citizens in a republic (9.1.3.4.5)
• Explain the purposes of the legislative branch as mentioned in Article I of the Constitution, and why it is intended to be the most powerful branch (9.1.4.6.2)
• Explain the organization of the legislative branch as mentioned in Article I of the Constitution, including the qualifications of Congress members (9.1.4.6.2)
• Explain the functions and roles of the legislative branch as mentioned in Article I of the Constitution, including the lawmaking path from Congress to President and the impeachment process (9.1.4.6.2)
• Explain why governments interact in world affairs; describe how the United States government develops and carries out United States foreign policy, including treaty-making
• Explain the purposes, organization, functions and processes of the judicial branch as enumerated in Article III of the United States Constitution (9.1.4.6.4)
• Evaluate the impact of political parties on elections and public policy formation (9.1.4.8.1)
• Demonstrate the skills necessary to participate in the election process, including registration, identifying and evaluating candidates, and methods for casting a ballot (9.1.1.1.2)
• Analyze how the United States political system is shaped by elections and the election process (9.1.4.9.1)
• Analyze how civic engagement and public opinion (initiative, referendum, civil disobedience) are used to influence the American political system (9.1.2.3.4)
• Evaluate the role of interest groups and corporations on the political process and public policy formation.
• Explain the powers and operations of the state of Minnesota government as defined in its Constitution and its relationship with the federal government (9.1.4.6.7)
• Explain the powers and operations of local (county, city, school board, and township) government in Minnesota (9.1.4.6.8)
• Compare and contrast the rights in the Minnesota Constitution with the rights in the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights (9.1.3.4.1)
• Demonstrate skills that enable people to to monitor and influence state and local affairs (9.1.1.1.1)
• Identify sources of revenue used by state government and the effects on citizens (9.1.4.6.9)

Textbook: Civics Today: Citizenship, Economics, & You (Glencoe)