Civics

This 30 week, 1 ½ hour class will answer questions like: How do elections work? What does the President do all day? Who decides where stop signs go? What is Labor Day? Your student will learn about elected leaders and everyday citizens who have important roles to fill in making our country work.

Civics will cover the important fundamental principles and practices of American government as established by the Constitution.   Students will understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens and how to exercise these rights and responsibilities in local, state, and national government with a Christian worldview.

We will be using Uncle Sam and You by Notgrass. There are daily lessons that cover the structure and processes of the national government as well as the state of Tennessee and various local governments.  They also cover topics such as elected leaders, everyday citizens, and their roles in making our country work. This is a great introduction to government and will prepare students for high school classes like government and US history

Students will read through daily lessons during the week, and we will review and discuss during class. We will also utilize projects, group activities, media, literature, and primary source documents to enhance our understanding of the concepts in the reading. We will be reading literature that showcases different aspects of civics and government.

Literature selections include:

  • Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman

  • A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt by C. Coco De Young

  • Brighty of the Grand Canyon by Marguerite Henry

  • Basher Five-Two by Scott O’Grady

  • Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry

  • The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

  • The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane by Russell Freedman

  • Lost on a Mountain in Maine by Donn Fendler

We will be reading some books in class and others will be optional reading for at home.

The book of primary source documents (The Citizen’s Handbook) reveals how people have thought about our country in the past. Here are just a sample of some of the selections from The Citizen’s Handbook:

  • My Country ‘Tis of Thee, a song and letter by Samuel F. Smith, 1832/1887

  • Civility, Courage, Compassion, and Character, from the first inaugural address of George W. Bush, 2001

  • Women Here Rejoice Over Right to Vote, newspaper article from 1920

  • Letter to Mrs. Abraham Lincoln by Frederick Douglass, 1865

  • Lighter Side of Life at the United States Supreme Court, a speech by Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Some selections will be read in class and others at home. I imagine we will have fun “modernizing the language” of some of these original documents!

Students will need: Uncle Sam and You Part 1 and 2 as well as The Citizen’s Handbook.

The workbook and student review are NOT needed. Quizzes, homework, projects, papers and tests will be graded by the tutor. Students will need a 3 ring binder with paper and dividers with pockets. Students can check out literature selections from the library or may purchase them.

Homework: Students should expect 30-45 minutes of homework each day we aren’t in class. This time will vary on the student’s reading level and assignments given during the week. My hope is that students are eager to read the text in order to discuss topics in class.

Thursday

Time: 10:45-12:15
Grades: 6-8
Cost: $395
Supply Fee: $55
Tutor: Andrea Reese