Middle School

Summarize the principles and purposes of government as stated in the Preamble to the United States Constitution. (E)6.CIV.1

Identify and explain essential ideas of constitutional government, which include limited government; rule of law; due process of law; separated and shared powers; checks and balances; federalism; popular sovereignty; republicanism; representative government; and individual rights to life, liberty, and property; and freedom of conscience and religion. (E)6.CIV.2

Explain the concept of a separation of powers and how and why these powers are distributed, shared, and limited in the constitutional government of the United States. (E) 6.CIV.3

Describe and give examples of individual rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. (E) Examples: The right to associate with whomever one pleases; the right to practice the religion of one’s choice; the right to speak freely, and criticize the government; the right to due process; and the right to be protected from unreasonable search and seizure; when those rights could cause conflict or disagreement. 6.CIV.4

Explain the major purposes of the Indiana Constitution, as stated in the Preamble. 6.CIV.5

Describe individual rights held under Article I of the Indiana Constitution, such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion. 6.CIV.6

Examine ways that state and national government affects the everyday lives of people in the United States. (E) 6.CIV.7

Describe the primary and general election process for local, state, and national offices, including those used to select congressional and presidential office holders. (E) 6.CIV.8

Identify and explain the duties of and selection process for local and state government officials who make, implement, and enforce laws. 6.CIV.9

Explain that the United States has three levels of government (local, state, and national), and that each level has special duties and responsibilities.6.CIV.10

Identify the three branches of the United States government and explain the functions of each. (E). Examples: Separation of powers, shared powers, and checks and balances involving the legislative (law making), executive (law enforcing), and judicial (law interpreting) branches of government.6.CIV.11

Identify and explain the major responsibilities of the legislative (Article 4), executive (Article 5), and judicial branches (Article 7) of state government as written in the Indiana Constitution.6.CIV.12

Explain the role citizens have in making decisions and rules within the community, state, and nation. ● Examples: Participating in local and regional activities, voting in elections, running for office, and voicing opinions in a positive way.6.CIV.13

Examine ways by which citizens may effectively voice opinions, monitor government, and bring about change in government, including voting and participation in the election process.6.CIV.14

Use a variety of informational resources to identify and evaluate contemporary issues that involve civic responsibility, individual rights, and the common good. Examples: Responsible use of the internet, smoking in public places, payment of property taxes, development of highways, and housing on historic lands.6.CIV.15

Recognize and explain the relationship between the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in the United States. (E)6.CIV.16

Explain ways that citizens can participate in the election process (e.g., political parties, campaigns, elections) at the national, state, and local levels6.CIV.17