Middle School Civics Course Description (Grades 6-8)

Course Overview:

The Middle School Civics course for grades 6-8 is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the foundations, principles, and functions of government, as well as the roles, rights, and responsibilities of U.S. citizens. The course includes Holocaust education, economic concepts, geography, and contemporary world issues. Through engaging lessons, interactive activities, and educational field trips, students will explore the workings of the American political system and contemporary issues in world affairs. The course aims to foster informed, responsible, and active citizens.

Course Objectives:

  • Understand the origins and purposes of government, law, and the American political system.
  • Evaluate the roles, rights, and responsibilities of U.S. citizens.
  • Analyze the principles, functions, and organization of government.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary issues in world affairs and evaluate the role and impact of U.S. foreign policy.
  • Understand fundamental economic concepts and their relevance in the U.S. and global economy.
  • Develop geographical knowledge and understand human-environment interactions.
  • Develop critical thinking, research, and public speaking skills.

Florida State Standards for Civics and Potential Corresponding Field Trips:

1. SS.68.HE.1: Foundations of Holocaust Education

  • Standard: Examine the Holocaust as the planned and systematic state-sponsored persecution and murder of European Jews by Nazi Germany.
  • Field Trip: Visit the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg to gain an in-depth understanding of the Holocaust through exhibits and survivor testimonies.

2. SS.7.CG.1: Demonstrate an understanding of the origins and purposes of government, law, and the American political system.

  • Standard: Analyze the influences of ancient Greece, ancient Rome, and the Judeo-Christian tradition on America’s constitutional republic.
  • Field Trip: Visit the Tampa Bay History Center to explore exhibits on early civilizations and their influence on modern government.

3. SS.7.CG.2: Evaluate the roles, rights, and responsibilities of U.S. citizens, and determine methods of active participation in society, government, and the political system.

  • Standard: Differentiate between obligations and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.
  • Field Trip: Visit the National Navy SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce to understand the role of military service in citizenship.

4. SS.7.CG.3: Demonstrate an understanding of the principles, functions, and organization of government.

  • Standard: Describe the structure and function of the three branches of government.
  • Field Trip: Visit the U.S. District Court in Tampa to observe the judicial branch in action.

5. SS.7.CG.4: Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary issues in world affairs, and evaluate the role and impact of U.S. foreign policy.

  • Standard: Explain the relationship between U.S. foreign and domestic policy.
  • Field Trip: Visit the Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg to discuss international art and cultural diplomacy.

6. SS.7.E.1: Understand the fundamental concepts relevant to the development of a market economy.

  • Standard: Explain how the principles of a market and mixed economy helped to develop the United States into a democratic nation.
  • Field Trip: Visit the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Jacksonville Branch, to learn about the role of the Federal Reserve in the U.S. economy.

7. SS.7.E.2: Understand the fundamental concepts relevant to the institutions, structure, and functions of a national economy.

  • Standard: Describe the banking system in the United States and its impact on the money supply.
  • Field Trip: Tour a local bank or credit union to understand how financial institutions operate and their role in the economy.

8. SS.7.E.3: Understand the fundamental concepts and interrelationships of the United States economy in the international marketplace.

  • Standard: Explain how international trade requires a system for exchanging currency between and among nations.
  • Field Trip: Visit the Port of Miami to see how international trade operates and the impact on the U.S. economy.

9. SS.7.G.1: Understand how to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technology to report information.

  • Standard: Locate the fifty states and their capital cities in addition to the nation's capital on a map.
  • Field Trip: Visit the Map & Imagery Library at the University of Florida in Gainesville to explore geographic tools and representations.

10. SS.7.G.2: Understand physical and cultural characteristics of places.

  • Standard: Explain how major physical characteristics, natural resources, climate, and absolute and relative location have influenced settlement patterns.
  • Field Trip: Visit the Everglades National Park to study the physical characteristics and their influence on human settlement and the environment.

11. SS.7.G.3: Understand the relationships between the Earth's ecosystems and the populations that dwell within them.

  • Standard: Use maps to describe the location, abundance, and variety of natural resources in North America.
  • Field Trip: Visit the Florida Museum of Natural History to explore exhibits on ecosystems and natural resources.

12. SS.7.G.4: Understand the characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations.

  • Standard: Use geographic terms and tools to explain cultural diffusion throughout North America.
  • Field Trip: Visit the Miami Museum of Contemporary Art to learn about cultural diffusion through art.

13. SS.7.G.5: Understand how human actions can impact the environment.

  • Standard: Use a choropleth or other map to geographically represent current information about issues of conservation or ecology.
  • Field Trip: Visit the Kennedy Space Center to learn about the impact of human actions on the environment and space exploration.

14. SS.7.G.6: Understand how to apply geography to interpret the past and present and plan for the future.

  • Standard: Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or other technology to view maps of current information about the United States.
  • Field Trip: Visit a local university’s geography department to see GIS technology in action.

Course Activities:

  • Classroom Discussions: Weekly discussions on current events, civic responsibilities, and government functions.
  • Guest Speakers: Inviting local government officials, veterans, and community leaders to speak to students.
  • Mock Elections: Simulating election processes to teach students about voting and campaigns.
  • Debates and Presentations: Engaging students in debates on civic issues and having them present research projects on government-related topics.

Assessments:

  • Quizzes and Tests: Regular assessments to gauge understanding of key concepts.
  • Projects: Group and individual projects on topics like the Constitution, landmark Supreme Court cases, and civic participation.
  • Participation: Grading based on participation in discussions, field trips, and civic activities.

Goals:

  • Knowledge: Students will understand the foundations of the American political system and the importance of civic engagement.
  • Skills: Students will develop critical thinking, research, and public speaking skills.
  • Civic Responsibility: Students will recognize their roles and responsibilities as citizens and learn how to actively participate in their communities.

This course description ensures that students get a robust education in civics, with opportunities to see government and civic engagement in action through field trips and hands-on activities.

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