Connecting the "Structure and Function of Government" with Current Issues

From the moment students enter classrooms, they engage with civics.  A significant concept that students develop over time involves understanding the structure and function of government.  Generally, this learning exposes students to the notion that 1) leaders exist within different types of communities and that 2) processes are established to support positive change through helping leaders - and citizens - exchange ideas.

To make this learning relevant for students, we must invite students to examine issues that different communities are dealing with.  Through the examination of issues, students have the opportunity to see how different branches of government work in real life.  This relevancy deepens student understanding of the structure and function of government.  Learning about issues and how communities identify potential solutions to issues allows students to transfer and apply their learning about the structure and function of government. Consider what this might look like at different grade levels and how a common vision across grade levels allows students to connect, deepen, and build on their understanding in their schooling experience.

• 1st grade - Students focus on leaders in the classroom and school. 

• 2nd grade - Students focus on the classroom, school, and local community.
• What roles provide leadership and guidance within schools and classrooms? (Principal, classroom teachers, educational assistants)
• In what ways do parents and students share their ideas and assist in the management of schools and classrooms? (parents and students are able to have discussions with the teacher or principal when they might feel that rules and laws have been disciplined inappropriately)
• What are some examples of issues that a school or classroom must solve? How do people work together to solve issues? (students - and parents - work with the teacher to solve issues such as too much talking, inappropriate behavior at recess, disrespect of peers, ...)

• 3rd grade - Students focus on local government (city and county).
• What is the structure and function of local government? (Executive - Mayor, Legislative - local City Councils, Judicial - Local Courts)
• What issues are being debated within our local government? (Consider looking for issues within community newspapers.  Colorado teachers can find their local community newspapers here. Teachers from other states can use the same link and look at the top for a link to your state's community newspapers. In addition, state's have groups that support regional mayors.  In the Denver Metro area, the Metro Mayors Caucus is focusing on these issues. )
• As a community identifies potential solutions to issues, how might each branch of government become involved? (Students have the opportunity to transfer and apply their knowledge of each branch's role and how checks and balances keep any one branch from having too much power.)

• 4th grade - Students focus on state government (often through units that focus on the state).
• What is the structure and function of state government? (Executive - Governor, Legislative - Colorado General Assembly, Judicial - State Supreme Court)
• What issues are being debated within our state government? (Consider looking at your state's paper to see what issues exist.  Colorado teachers can look at the Denver Post: Legislature section.)
• As the state identifies potential solutions to issues, how might each branch of government become involved? (Students have the opportunity to transfer and apply their knowledge of each branch's role and how checks and balances keep any one branch from having too much power.)

• 5th grade - Students focus on federal government (often through studies of the U.S. Constitution).
• What is the structure and function of federal government? (Executive - President, Legislate - House and Senate, Judicial - Supreme Court)
• What issues are being debated within our federal government? (Issues within the federal government.)
• As the nation identifies potential solutions to issues, how might each branch of government become involved? (Students have the opportunity to transfer and apply their knowledge of each branch's role and how checks and balances keep any one branch from having too much power.)

• 6th and 7th grade - Students begin to look at global citizenship and the influence of nations. For some students, they are exposed to global governing with groups such as the United Nations. In 6th and 7th grades, students examine the Western Hemisphere and the Eastern Hemisphere.
• What is the structure and function of the United Nations? (Structure of the UN)
• What global issues are being debated by the United Nations?
• As the United Nations identifies potential solutions to issues, how do the governments of different nations and global citizens become involved?