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K–12 Standards

Grade 6 Middle School Civics

Other Indiana Social Studies sets

Students explain major principles, values, and institutions of constitutional government and citizenship, which are based on the founding documents of the United States, and how the three branches of government share and check power within our federal system of government.

  • 1

    Foundations of Government

    1. 1

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

    2. 2

      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

    3. 3

      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

    4. 4

      Describe and give examples of individual rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. (E)6.CIV.4

    5. 5

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

    6. 6

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

    7. 7

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

  • 2

    Functions of Government

    1. 8

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

    2. 9

      Identify the duties of local and state government officials.6.CIV.9

    3. 10

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

    4. 11

      Identify the three branches of the United States government and explain the functions of each and how they interact through a series of checks and balances. (E)6.CIV.11

    5. 12

      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

  • 3

    Role of Citizens

    1. 13

      Explain the role citizens have in making decisions and rules within the community, state, and nation.6.CIV.13

    2. 14

      Examine ways by which citizens may effectively voice opinions, monitor government, and bring about change in government (e.g., voting, participating in the election process, writing a petition, contacting legislators, attending a local government meeting). (E)6.CIV.14

    3. 15

      Use a variety of informational resources to identify and evaluate contemporary issues that involve civic responsibility, individual rights, and the common good.6.CIV.15

    4. 16

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

    5. 17

      Explain ways that citizens can participate in the election process (e.g., political parties, campaigns, elections) at the federal, state, and local levels.6.CIV.17

  •  

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 6
Where can I read the official document?
2026 Indiana Academic Standards: Middle School Civics

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