Big Ideas

• Liberty
• Citizenship

Essential Purpose: Social Studies Clarifications Among the fundamental ideals of American democracy are individual liberty, freedom of religion, representative democracy, equal opportunity, and equal protection under the law. Other principles and rights guaranteed to American citizens can be thought of as ways to achieve these fundamental ideals. For example, the principles of limited government and civil rights are means to achieve individual liberty.

This benchmark introduces civic responsibility, which implies duties of citizenship and requires engagement in civil affairs. Civic responsibilities refer to the things that a citizen is supposed to do, or not do, for the benefit of their community, state, and nation. A society based on the ideal of individual liberty aims to reduce the intrusiveness of government. Consequently, it relies on individuals to do certain things that advance the cause of liberty, promote the common good, and make government "by the people" possible.

Smithsonian Institution
Produce for Victory

Enduring Understanding (K-12):

• Students will understand that the principles and ideals underlying American democracy are designed to promote the freedom of the American people.

Delaware Social Studies Standard
measured by the Transfer Task

Civics Standard Two 4-5b: Students will understand that a society based on the ideal of individual liberty requires a commitment on the part of its citizens to the principle of civic responsibility.

Essential Questions: Unit Questions

What makes a good citizen? How do I know if I'm one?

What happens if enough people aren't good citizens?

• How does the Statue of Liberty symbolize the ideal of individual liberty?
• How does volunteering demonstrate civic responsibility?

Essential Content

• Volunteerism
• Liberty
• Citizenship
• Civic responsibility
• Symbol

21st Century Skills

• Exercise personal responsibility and flexibility in personal, workplace and community contexts
• Act responsibly with the interests of the larger community in mind
• Demonstrate ethical behavior in personal, workplace and community contexts

Transfer Task

This transfer task and scoring guide should be reviewed with students prior to instruction.

Essential Questions Measured by the Summative Assessment

• What makes a good citizen? How do I know if I’m one?

Prior Knowledge	Now that you have learned what makes a good citizen and how volunteering is a civic responsibility, you are ready to think about how people show good citizenship everyday.
Problem	To celebrate Constitution Day, your school’s principal has asked each class in your grade to create and exhibit a citizenship collection for display in the school building. The display might be in a showcase near the main entrance or a large bulletin board. Each item chosen for the collection should help you to demonstrate what makes a good citizen.
Role/Perspective	You will need to decide what documents or artifacts would go into your collection. You will then need to work with other students to develop the class exhibit.
Product/ Performance	You are responsible for collecting 5 documents or artifacts on your own. You will need to write an explanation of how each item you have chosen helps to demonstrate what makes a good citizen. This explanation will be included in the exhibit. Present your plan to the principal.
Criteria for an Exemplary Response	Be sure to include: A personal collection of 5 documents or artifacts that demonstrate what makes a good citizen A written explanation for why each item in your collection helps to demonstrate what makes a good citizen Your class will also work together to design an exhibit that showcases your collections.

Scoring Guide