Standard 2: Evaluate the roles, rights, and responsibilities of United States citizens, and determine methods of active participation in society, government, and the political system.

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General Information
Number: SS.7.C.2
Title: Evaluate the roles, rights, and responsibilities of United States citizens, and determine methods of active participation in society, government, and the political system.
Type: Standard
Subject: Social Studies
Grade: 7
Strand: Civics and Government

Related Benchmarks

This cluster includes the following benchmarks.

Related Access Points

This cluster includes the following access points.

Independent

SS.7.C.2.In.0
Identify that a citizen is a legal resident of a country and recognize that people become citizens by birth or naturalization.
SS.7.C.2.In.1
Identify obligations of citizens, such as obeying laws, paying taxes, and serving on juries.
SS.7.C.2.In.2
Describe the responsibilities of a good citizen, such as registering and voting and keeping informed about current issues.
SS.7.C.2.In.3
Identify the rights of individuals in the Bill of Rights and other amendments to the Constitution.
SS.7.C.2.In.4
Identify the rights of individuals in the Bill of Rights and other amendments to the Constitution.
SS.7.C.2.In.5
Identify the purpose of a jury in a trial.
SS.7.C.2.In.6
Describe the voting process for selecting leaders in the school or community.
SS.7.C.2.In.7
Identify the current political parties in America.
SS.7.C.2.In.8
Identify the qualifications of candidates for a political office.
SS.7.C.2.In.9
Identify how the media and people influence government.
SS.7.C.2.In.10
Identify how the media and people influence government.
SS.7.C.2.In.11
Recognize a problem in the local community and the appropriate governmental agency to respond to that problem.
SS.7.C.2.In.12
Identify different perspectives on current issues.
SS.7.C.2.In.13
Engage in a service project to further the public good, such as at school, community, or state levels.

Supported

SS.7.C.2.Su.0
Recognize that a citizen is a legal resident of a country.
SS.7.C.2.Su.1
Recognize obligations of citizens, such as obeying laws, paying taxes, and serving on juries.
SS.7.C.2.Su.2
Identify the responsibilities of a good citizen, such as voting and keeping informed about current issues.
SS.7.C.2.Su.3
Recognize the rights of individuals in the Bill of Rights.
SS.7.C.2.Su.4
Recognize the rights of individuals in the Bill of Rights.
SS.7.C.2.Su.5
Recognize the purpose of the jury in a trial.
SS.7.C.2.Su.6
Identify how to vote for a leader in the school or community.
SS.7.C.2.Su.7
Recognize the current political parties in America.
SS.7.C.2.Su.8
Recognize that candidates run for a political office.
SS.7.C.2.Su.9
Recognize that the media and people can influence government.
SS.7.C.2.Su.10
Recognize that the media and people can influence government.
SS.7.C.2.Su.11
Recognize a problem in the local community and an authority to respond to that problem.
SS.7.C.2.Su.12
Recognize different perspectives on current issues.
SS.7.C.2.Su.13
Assist with a service project to further the public good, such as at school, community, or state levels.

Participatory

SS.7.C.2.Pa.0
Recognize a person who is an American citizen.
SS.7.C.2.Pa.1
Recognize an obligation of citizens, such as obeying laws.
SS.7.C.2.Pa.2
Recognize a responsibility of a good citizen, such as voting.
SS.7.C.2.Pa.3
Recognize a right of citizens guaranteed by law.
SS.7.C.2.Pa.4
Recognize a right of citizens guaranteed by law.
SS.7.C.2.Pa.5
Recognize a right of citizens guaranteed by law.
SS.7.C.2.Pa.6
Recognize that people can vote to select a leader in the school or community.
SS.7.C.2.Pa.7
Recognize that there are political parties in America.
SS.7.C.2.Pa.8
Recognize a political office.
SS.7.C.2.Pa.9
Recognize that the media influences people.
SS.7.C.2.Pa.10
Recognize that the media influences people.
SS.7.C.2.Pa.11
Recognize an authority to respond to a problem.
SS.7.C.2.Pa.12
Recognize a point of view on current issues.
SS.7.C.2.Pa.13
Participate in a service project to further the public good, such as at school, community, or state levels.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this topic.

Lesson Plan

U.S. Immigration with Mixed Citizenship Families:

In this lesson developed by the PBS documentary series POV (Point of View), students will explore how the United States' immigration policy affects families with mixed citizenship status. They will first discuss the challenges faced by a mixed-status family when U.S. immigration authorities schedule undocumented parents to be deported. Students will also explain how the circumstances of such families could impact the United States politically, socially and economically. Finally, they will analyze public policies that address the needs of mixed-status families.

This lesson features a clip from the film Sin País (Without Country), a documentary that tells the emotional story of a family with members of mixed citizenship status who separate when the undocumented parents are deported from the United States and their teenage children stay behind to continue their education.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorials

Interpreting Political Propaganda:

In this interactive tutorial, unlock the language of propaganda and learn about bias and symbolism in political propaganda.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Evaluating Constitutional Rights:

In this interactive tutorial, explore several landmark cases of the Supreme Court to see how the Court's decisions have impacted the rights of individuals and society throughout American history.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Exploring The First Amendment:

In this interactive tutorial hosted by "Bill" O. Rights, learn in great detail about the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment: religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Influencing Government:

In this interactive tutorial, you'll identify the impacts of individuals, interest groups, and the media on monitoring and influencing the government of the United States.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Constitutional Amendments: The Expansion of Democracy :

In this interactive tutorial, learn about six important amendments to the U.S. Constitution.  These amendments ended slavery, ensured equal rights for all citizens, and guaranteed voting rights to women, African Americans, and other minority groups.  

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Election Time in Tutorial Town:

Learn about the election process, register to vote, and participate in a mock election to pick the mayor of Tutorial Town in this interactive tutorial. 

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Evaluate the Candidates: Who Will You Choose? :

In this interactive tutorial, learn how to evaluate candidates running for political office. You'll play the role of a voter choosing between two candidates running for mayor of your town!

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Show Your Citizenship!:

In this interactive tutorial, learn about the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of American citizenship.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Trial by Jury: You Decide!:

Simulate the experience of serving on a jury and deciding a case in this interactive tutorial.  Learn all about trial by jury and why it's such an important part of our society, as well as an obligation of citizenship.  

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Know Your Rights: Examining the Bill of Rights:

In this interactive tutorial, analyze all 10 Amendments that make up the Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution.  You'll learn not only about the rights and freedoms guaranteed by each, but also the limits of those rights.  

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Finding Civic Solutions:

This interactive tutorial will help you answer the questions: What can individuals do on their own to make change? When can your government help you?  To which government can you turn?  Learn about responsible citizenship and how you might make positive changes in your own community. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Citizenship: It All Starts Here!:

Learn all about citizenship in the United States of America: what citizenship is, why some Americans have citizenship from birth, and how others became U.S. citizens through a process called naturalization with this interactive tutorial.

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Party On: Political Parties in America:

In this interactive tutorial, learn all about political parties in the U.S., including what they are and how they function in our political system. You'll learn lots about the two major parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, and also about third parties and what it means to be a political "Independent."

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Tutorials

History of the Democratic Party:

Learn about the history of the Democratic Party, the party of Jackson, Wilson, FDR, and LBJ, in this tutorial video by Khan Academy. From its early roots in the era of Thomas Jefferson to the present day, the Democratic Party has played an integral role in shaping the government, policies and history of America.

Type: Tutorial

History of the Republican Party:

Learn about the history of the Republican Party, the party of Lincoln, Hoover, Eisenhower, and Reagan, in this tutorial video by Khan Academy. From its early roots tied to Alexander Hamilton to the present day, the Republican Party has played an integral role in shaping the government, policies and history of America.

Type: Tutorial

Freedom of the Press: New York Times v. United States:

View a documentary about the First Amendment protections of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. You'll review the historic origins of these rights and then go into detail about the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in New York Times v. United States, the Pentagon Papers case. Enjoy!

Type: Tutorial

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this topic.

Original Student Tutorials

Interpreting Political Propaganda:

In this interactive tutorial, unlock the language of propaganda and learn about bias and symbolism in political propaganda.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Evaluating Constitutional Rights:

In this interactive tutorial, explore several landmark cases of the Supreme Court to see how the Court's decisions have impacted the rights of individuals and society throughout American history.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Exploring The First Amendment:

In this interactive tutorial hosted by "Bill" O. Rights, learn in great detail about the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment: religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Influencing Government:

In this interactive tutorial, you'll identify the impacts of individuals, interest groups, and the media on monitoring and influencing the government of the United States.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Constitutional Amendments: The Expansion of Democracy :

In this interactive tutorial, learn about six important amendments to the U.S. Constitution.  These amendments ended slavery, ensured equal rights for all citizens, and guaranteed voting rights to women, African Americans, and other minority groups.  

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Election Time in Tutorial Town:

Learn about the election process, register to vote, and participate in a mock election to pick the mayor of Tutorial Town in this interactive tutorial. 

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Evaluate the Candidates: Who Will You Choose? :

In this interactive tutorial, learn how to evaluate candidates running for political office. You'll play the role of a voter choosing between two candidates running for mayor of your town!

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Show Your Citizenship!:

In this interactive tutorial, learn about the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of American citizenship.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Trial by Jury: You Decide!:

Simulate the experience of serving on a jury and deciding a case in this interactive tutorial.  Learn all about trial by jury and why it's such an important part of our society, as well as an obligation of citizenship.  

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Know Your Rights: Examining the Bill of Rights:

In this interactive tutorial, analyze all 10 Amendments that make up the Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution.  You'll learn not only about the rights and freedoms guaranteed by each, but also the limits of those rights.  

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Finding Civic Solutions:

This interactive tutorial will help you answer the questions: What can individuals do on their own to make change? When can your government help you?  To which government can you turn?  Learn about responsible citizenship and how you might make positive changes in your own community. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Citizenship: It All Starts Here!:

Learn all about citizenship in the United States of America: what citizenship is, why some Americans have citizenship from birth, and how others became U.S. citizens through a process called naturalization with this interactive tutorial.

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Party On: Political Parties in America:

In this interactive tutorial, learn all about political parties in the U.S., including what they are and how they function in our political system. You'll learn lots about the two major parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, and also about third parties and what it means to be a political "Independent."

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Tutorials

History of the Democratic Party:

Learn about the history of the Democratic Party, the party of Jackson, Wilson, FDR, and LBJ, in this tutorial video by Khan Academy. From its early roots in the era of Thomas Jefferson to the present day, the Democratic Party has played an integral role in shaping the government, policies and history of America.

Type: Tutorial

History of the Republican Party:

Learn about the history of the Republican Party, the party of Lincoln, Hoover, Eisenhower, and Reagan, in this tutorial video by Khan Academy. From its early roots tied to Alexander Hamilton to the present day, the Republican Party has played an integral role in shaping the government, policies and history of America.

Type: Tutorial

Freedom of the Press: New York Times v. United States:

View a documentary about the First Amendment protections of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. You'll review the historic origins of these rights and then go into detail about the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in New York Times v. United States, the Pentagon Papers case. Enjoy!

Type: Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this topic.