Standard 1: Foundations of Government, Law, and the American Political System

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General Information
Number: SS.3.C.1
Title: Foundations of Government, Law, and the American Political System
Type: Standard
Subject: Social Studies
Grade: 3
Strand: Civics and Government

Related Benchmarks

This cluster includes the following benchmarks.

Related Access Points

This cluster includes the following access points.

Independent

SS.3.C.1.In.0
Recognize the purpose of government in the community, such as to provide laws, services, and safety.
SS.3.C.1.In.1
Identify that government gains its power from the people.
SS.3.C.1.In.2
Identify that government is based on a set of written laws that all people must follow.

Supported

SS.3.C.1.Su.0
Recognize the purpose of rules and laws in the school and community, such as to promote safety, order, and good citizenship.
SS.3.C.1.Su.1
Recognize that government gains its power from the people.
SS.3.C.1.Su.2
Recognize that government is based on written laws.

Participatory

SS.3.C.1.Pa.0
Recognize rules in the school, such as respecting others.
SS.3.C.1.Pa.1
Recognize that governments have power.
SS.3.C.1.Pa.2
Recognize that governments have laws.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this topic.

Teaching Ideas

National Symbols:

This teaching idea from the California Court's "California on My Honor" lesson plan program supports the introduction of national symbols, landmarks and monuments and what they stand for. The teaching idea calls for students to be given the task of developing a flag to represent their classroom.once they begin to understand the abstract representation of symbols.

Type: Teaching Idea

Taking a Stand:

This web resource provides an introduction to the discrimination and segregation that triggered the Civil Rights movement, through the eyes of some of the youngest activists at the time.

This teaching idea supports the exploration of the purpose of rules and laws in society, as well as some of the basic tenets of the Constitution that address equal rights for all citizens. Also included are ideas on how to help students examine historical examples of segregation to consider their impact and analyze how civil rights activists responded to segregation laws to promote change.

Type: Teaching Idea

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this topic.

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this topic.