SS.7.CG.1.2

In this lesson plan, students will read and analyze documents relating to the systems of government created by the ancient Greek city-state of Athens, the Roman Republic, and the United States. They will evaluate and compare the systems to determine how they influenced the American constitutional republican form of government.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will complete an interactive chart during a PowerPoint used to identify and highlight the impact of significant Enlightenment thinkers (Locke, Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Rousseau) on modern U.S. government. Students will then complete a one-pager activity to demonstrate their understanding. 

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will use the think-pair-share method to learn the definitions and meaning of each of our founding principles of government. Working in pairs, students will read a scenario describing each founding principle. Based on their interpretation, they will create their own definition. Then, they will share their response with their partner and come up with a modified definition. During the activity, the teacher will facilitate the learning process by offering clarification and other assistance as needed. At the conclusion of the activity, the teacher will lead a class discussion where the whole class will come up with a thorough, correct meaning for each founding principle.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will trace the influence of Enlightenment ideas, specifically those of Montesquieu and John Locke, on the Founders while completing guided notes that accompany a teacher-presented slideshow. Students will then show what they know by completing and submitting a short written response to a provided prompt.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will learn to define the rule of law and explore its key principles while completing guided notes that accompany a teacher-presented slideshow. Students will then show what they know by completing and submitting a short written response to a provided prompt.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will trace the principles underlying America’s founding ideas on laws and government while completing guided notes that accompany a teacher-presented slideshow. Students will then show what they know by completing and submitting a short written response to a provided prompt.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will analyze the influences of ancient Rome on America’s modern constitutional republic while completing guided notes that accompany a teacher-presented slideshow. Students will then show what they know by completing and submitting a short written response to a provided prompt.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will analyze the influences of Ancient Greek democracy on America’s modern constitutional republic while completing guided notes that accompany a teacher-presented slideshow. Students will then show what they know by completing and submitting a short written response to a provided prompt.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will learn about the governing principles that can be traced through America’s founding documents. Students will work independently or with a shoulder partner to demonstrate an understanding of the founding principles by completing a vocabulary Card Sort activity and a Primary Source Matching activity. There are six multiple choice questions on the Primary Source Matching activity to assess student understanding.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will be engaged in a review game as they take notes about how the U.S. Constitution limits the powers of government through separation of powers, checks and balances, individual rights, rule of law and due process of law. Students will fill in a graphic organizer to assist them in keeping their notetaking organized.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will identify the impact the Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, English Bill of Rights and Thomas Paine’s Common Sense had on colonists’ views of government.

Type: Lesson Plan

Learn how Enlightenment ideas like separation of powers, natural law, and the social contract influenced the Founders and their design of the United States government in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Learn how several famous documents influenced the views of American colonists when they sought their independence from Great Britain and formed their own government. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn about the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, the Mayflower Compact, and Thomas Paine’s Common Sense.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

This Grade 7 Civics Family Guide provides some ideas and activities to support civics education when at home, out and about, and in the community. The activities provided align to the civics learning benchmarks within Standard 1 at this grade level.

Type: Teaching Idea

Students will debate which foundational ideas found in American documents are most important in the Great Mini Debate. Students will use evidence from the Declaration of Independence, the Preamble and the Bill of Rights to support their arguments. The Great Mini Debate Cheat Sheet will prompt beginning debaters as to what should go in each speech of the debate.

Type: Teaching Idea

Lily Tang Williams was born in communist China during Mao Zedong’s rule. She witnessed Mao’s Cultural Revolution first hand as she was growing up. She was a member of the Young Pioneers and the Red Guard, but yearned to come to the United States to learn about and live in a democracy. In 1988, she was able to come to the United States for schooling and was granted asylum status.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation