Week 1:
Day 1: Introduction to Civics
- Discuss the importance of civics education for seniors, including the role of informed citizens in a democracy and the impact of civic engagement on society.
- Review Washington state learning standards for civics, emphasizing the depth and complexity of the content.
- Icebreaker activity: “What does civics mean to you?” Encourage students to share personal experiences and perspectives.
- Lecture on the basic concepts of civics, incorporating real-world examples and case studies to illustrate the relevance of the subject matter.
Day 2: Foundations of American Democracy
- Interactive group activity: “Creating a Constitution.” Divide students into small groups and assign them different roles (e.g., delegates, framers, citizens) to simulate the process of drafting a constitution.
- Discuss the principles of democracy and their significance, exploring concepts such as popular sovereignty, limited government, and individual rights.
- Analyze the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, examining the historical context and the enduring impact of these documents.
- Small group discussions on the role of citizens in a democracy, delving into topics such as civic participation, political activism, and the responsibilities of citizenship.
Day 3: Rights and Responsibilities
- Lecture on the Bill of Rights and its impact on citizens, highlighting the complexities and ongoing debates surrounding constitutional rights.
- Class debate: “Should there be limits to freedom of speech?” Assign students to argue for and against different perspectives, encouraging critical thinking and respectful discourse.
- Analyze case studies on individual rights and responsibilities, exploring real-life scenarios that challenge the balance between personal freedoms and societal interests.
- Group activity: “Rights and Responsibilities Bingo.” Create a bingo board with different rights and responsibilities, and have students discuss examples that correspond to each square.
Day 4: Government Structure and Functions
- Lecture on the three branches of government, going beyond a basic overview to explore the intricate checks and balances system and the complexities of interbranch relationships.
- Interactive activity: “Branches of Government Scavenger Hunt.” Divide students into teams and provide them with a set of clues to find information about specific government functions and responsibilities.
- Discuss the roles and responsibilities of each branch, examining the nuances of their powers and the challenges they face in fulfilling their constitutional duties.
- Small group discussions on the separation of powers, focusing on contemporary issues that test the boundaries between the branches (e.g., executive orders, judicial activism).
Week 2:
Day 1: State and Local Government
- Lecture on the structure and functions of state and local government, emphasizing the diversity of governance structures across Washington state and the complexities of intergovernmental relations.
- Group activity: “Design Your Own City Government.” Have students work in teams to create a hypothetical city government, considering factors such as representation, decision-making processes, and the allocation of resources.
- Analyze the impact of state and local government on citizens’ lives, exploring policy areas such as education, transportation, and healthcare.
- Guest speaker from local government, such as a city council member or county executive, to provide firsthand insights into the challenges and opportunities of governing at the local level.
Day 2: Elections and Voting
- Lecture on the electoral process and voting rights, delving into topics such as campaign finance, gerrymandering, and voter suppression.
- Interactive activity: “Mock Election.” Simulate a local or national election, with students taking on roles as candidates, campaign managers, and voters. Encourage students to critically analyze campaign strategies and the impact of different voting systems.
- Discuss the importance of informed voting, exploring strategies for evaluating candidates, understanding ballot measures, and staying engaged in the political process.
- Small group discussions on voter registration and turnout, examining barriers to voting and potential solutions to increase civic participation.
Day 3: Political Parties and Interest Groups
- Lecture on political parties and their role in the democratic process, going beyond a simple two-party system to explore the complexities of multiparty systems and the influence of third parties.
- Group activity: “Create Your Own Political Party.” Have students work in teams to develop a platform, campaign strategy, and party structure for a hypothetical political party.
- Analyze the influence of interest groups on policy-making, examining the role of lobbying, advocacy, and grassroots movements in shaping public policy.
- Debate: “Are political parties necessary for a functioning democracy?” Assign students to argue for and against different perspectives, encouraging critical thinking and evidence-based arguments.
Day 4: Media and Civic Engagement
- Discuss the role of media in shaping public opinion, exploring topics such as media bias, fake news, and the impact of social media on information consumption.
- Analyze different forms of media bias, using case studies and examples to illustrate the complexities of media representation and the challenges of media literacy.
- Group activity: “Fact-checking News Stories.” Provide students with a set of news articles and have them critically evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the information presented.
- Small group discussions on the impact of social media on civic engagement, examining both the positive and negative aspects of online activism and the challenges of digital citizenship.
Week 3:
Day 1: Civil Rights and Social Justice
- Lecture on the history of civil rights movements in the United States, exploring the complexities of race, gender, and other social identities in the struggle for equality.
- Analyze landmark Supreme Court cases on civil rights, examining the legal strategies and the ongoing debates surrounding issues such as affirmative action, voting rights, and LGBTQ+ rights.
- Group activity: “Civil Rights Timeline.” Have students work in teams to create a timeline highlighting key events and individuals in the civil rights movement, emphasizing the interconnectedness of different struggles.
- Discuss ongoing challenges to civil rights and social justice, such as systemic racism, income inequality, and the criminal justice system, encouraging students to consider potential solutions and avenues for activism.
Day 2: Immigration and Citizenship
- Lecture on the history of immigration in the United States, exploring the complexities of immigration policy, xenophobia, and the contributions of immigrants to American society.
- Interactive activity: “Immigration Simulation.” Assign students different roles (e.g., immigrants, immigration officers, policymakers) and have them navigate the challenges and complexities of the immigration process.
- Discuss the process of becoming a U.S. citizen, examining the requirements, benefits, and challenges of citizenship.
- Small group discussions on the benefits and challenges of immigration, encouraging students to consider different perspectives and engage in respectful dialogue.
Day 3: Economic Systems and Consumer Rights
- Lecture on different economic systems and their impact on citizens, going beyond a simple dichotomy of capitalism and socialism to explore the complexities of mixed economies and global economic interdependence.
- Group activity: “Economic Systems Debate.” Assign students to represent different economic systems and have them engage in a structured debate, considering factors such as income inequality, market regulation, and the role of government in the economy.
- Analyze consumer rights and responsibilities, exploring topics such as product safety, advertising ethics, and the role of consumer protection agencies.
- Guest speaker from a consumer protection agency or a local business to provide insights into consumer rights and the challenges of balancing business interests with consumer protection.
Day 4: Environmental Issues and Sustainability
- Discuss the importance of environmental stewardship, exploring the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
- Analyze the impact of human activities on the environment, examining topics such as climate change, deforestation, and pollution.
- Group activity: “Design an Eco-Friendly Community.” Have students work in teams to develop a plan for a sustainable community, considering factors such as renewable energy, waste management, and green transportation.
- Small group discussions on sustainable practices, exploring individual and collective actions that can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Week 4:
Day 1: International Relations and Global Issues
- Lecture on the role of the United States in international relations, examining topics such as diplomacy, foreign aid, and global governance.
- Analyze global issues such as climate change, terrorism, and human rights, exploring the complexities of international cooperation and the challenges of balancing national interests with global responsibilities.
- Group activity: “Model United Nations.” Assign students different countries and have them engage in a simulated United Nations session, discussing and negotiating solutions to a global issue.
- Discuss the importance of global citizenship, encouraging students to consider their roles and responsibilities as global citizens in an interconnected world.
Day 2: Civic Engagement and Volunteerism
- Discuss the importance of civic engagement in seniors’ lives, exploring the unique perspectives and experiences that seniors bring to the civic sphere.
- Group activity: “Identify Community Needs.” Have students work in teams to identify pressing community needs and develop action plans to address them.
- Analyze different forms of volunteerism and community service, examining the impact of volunteer work on individuals, communities, and society at large.
- Small group discussions on the impact of volunteerism on communities, exploring the challenges and opportunities of community engagement and the potential for social change.
Day 3: Mock Trial
- Divide the class into prosecution and defense teams and assign roles such as attorneys, witnesses, and jurors.
- Conduct a mock trial based on a real or fictional case, encouraging students to research, prepare arguments, and present their cases in a courtroom setting.
- Analyze the role of the judicial system in resolving disputes, exploring topics such as due process, the presumption of innocence, and the challenges of ensuring equal access to justice.
- Small group discussions on the importance of a fair and impartial judiciary, examining the complexities of judicial decision-making and the potential impact of judicial appointments on the rule of law.
Day 4: Review and Assessment
- Review key concepts and topics covered in the past weeks, encouraging students to reflect on their learning and make connections across different units.
- Group activity: “Civics Jeopardy.” Divide students into teams and engage
