Example of Tracy's Unit Proposal

Tracy Hewitt

Unit Proposal

Citizens of a Democracy: Elections in the United States

This unit will give students an overview of how democracy works in the United States. Students will have opportunities to examine how laws are made and go through a process of creating their own law. Students will also look into ways that changes have been made within the United States, especially based on diversity. They will examine issues that are important to them and that may be controversial within society. They will relate these issues to themselves and their school. The students will conclude the unit by doing a mock election within their classroom.  

Lesson Plans and Standards:

-  How does our Democracy work?

 H&SS5-6:15 Identifying the basic functions, structures and purposes of governments within the United States.

- The Election Process

H&SS5-6:15 Defining criteria for selecting leaders at the school, community, state, national and international levels. i

- Creation of Laws

H&SS5-6:15  Describing how rules and laws are created (e.g., participating in a simulation about creating a new law).

- Society and Ourselves

H&SS5-6:14

Explaining their own point of view on issues that affect themselves and society; being able to explain an opposing point of view (e.g. bullies, victims, witnesses; voting age; smoking; violence on TV). I

- Changes within our Society

H&SS5-6:16

Citing examples, both past and present, of how diversity has led to change (e.g., foods; internment camps; slavery). I

- Mock Election

H&SS5-6:14

Giving examples of ways in which political parties, campaigns, and elections provide opportunities for citizens to participate in the political process. i