• Home
• Civic Learning
  • Importance
  • Consortium
    • Members
    • Awards Program
  • Civic Mission
    • Campaign
• Civics Roadmap
  • Grades PreK-2
  • Grade 3
  • Grade 4
  • Grade 5
  • Grade 6
  • Grades 7-8
  • Grades 9-10
  • Grade 11
  • Grade 12
• Links
  • NYSBA
  • LYC
  • Ctr. for Civic Ed.
  • NYS Standards
  • Brown v. Board
• Contact Us

Grade 4: Civics Content

• Concepts
  • Government
  • Democracy
  • Citizenship and civic life
  • Civic values
  • Nation-state
  • Leadership
  • Power
  • Public policy
  • Community
  • Rules, rights, and responsibilities
  • Common good
• Content Understandings
  • The new nation
    • Foundations for a new government and ideals of American democracy as expressed in the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, and the constitutions of the State of New York and the United States of America
    • The importance of the United States Bill of Rights
    • Individuals and groups who helped to strengthen democracy in the United States
    • The roots of American culture, how it developed from many different traditions, and the ways many people from a variety of groups and backgrounds played a role in creating it
    • The values, practices, and traditions that unite all Americans
  • Government
    • The fundamental values and principles of American democracy include an understanding of the following concepts: individual rights to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness; the public or common good; justice; equality of opportunity; diversity; truth; and patriotism (Taken from: National Standards for Civics and Government, Center for Civic Education, 1994, p. 22.).
    • The fundamental values and principles of American democracy are expressed in the Declaration of Independence, Preamble to the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, Pledge of Allegiance, speeches, songs, and stories.
    • The basic purposes of government in the United States are to protect the rights of individuals and to promote the common good. (Taken from: National Standards for Civics and Government.)
  • Local and State governments
    • An introduction to the probable consequences of the absence of government
    • The structure and function of the branches of government of New York State and local governments, including executive, legislative, and judicial branches
    • The meaning of key terms and concepts related to government, including democracy, power, and citizenship
    • The United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New York and their respective bills of rights were developed as written plans for organizing the functions of government and safeguarding individual liberties
    • Representatives in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches at the local, State, and national levels of government and how they are elected or appointed to office
    • People elect and/or appoint leaders who make, enforce, and interpret laws
    • Citizenship and the rules and responsibilities of citizenship in the classroom, school, home, and local community
    • Citizenship includes an awareness of the holidays, celebrations, and symbols of our nation, including the flag of the United States of America, its proper display and use
    • Effective, informed citizenship involves duties such as voting, jury service, and other service to the local community
    • Citizens can participate in political decision making and problem-solving at the local, State, and national levels

• Civics Content
• Objectives
• Nat'l Standards
• NYS Standards
• Activities
• Trade Books
• Websites