Second Grade

Standard 4: Civics and Government

Students in Grade 2 build an understanding of the foundational principles of the American
political system, the organization and formation of the American system of government, and that
all people in the United States have rights and assume responsibilities.

Goal 4.1: Build an understanding of the foundational principles of the American political
system.
Objective(s): By the end of Grade 2, the student will be able to:
2.SS.4.1.1 2.SS.4.1.2 2.SS.4.1.3
Explain why rules are necessary at home, school, and in the neighborhood.
Explain that there are benefits for following the rules and consequences for breaking the rules at
home, school, and in the neighborhood. Identify the people or groups that make, apply, and
enforce rules at home, school, and in the neighborhood.

Goal 4.2: Build an understanding of the organization and formation of the American
system of government.
Objective(s): By the end of Grade 2, the student will be able to:
2.SS.4.2.1 Explain important customs, symbols, and celebrations that represent the development
of American beliefs and principles.
2.SS.4.2.2 Examine the meaning of key words in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Goal 4.3: Build an understanding that all people in the United States have rights and
assume responsibilities​.
Objective(s): By the end of Grade 2, the student will be able to:
2.SS.4.3.1 Identify characteristics of good citizenship, such as courage, honesty, and
responsibility.
2.SS.4.3.2 Identify historic and contemporary people who model characteristics of good
citizenship.

Goal 4.4: Build an understanding of the evolution of democracy.

No objectives at this grade level

Goal 4.5: Build an understanding of comparative government.

No objectives at this grade level
ONLINE (10)
1. Idaho state laws: ​https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/
2. Rexburg laws: ​http://rexburg.org/m/Ordinances
3. Citizenship: ​https://www.congressforkids.net/citizenship_intro.htm
4. Pledge:
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/pledgeofallegiancehistory.htm
5. Democracy: ​https://www.ducksters.com/history/us_government/democracy.php
6. Source page:​http://www.ducksters.com/history/us_government.php
7. Human Rights: ​https://www.unicef.org/rightsite/484_540.htm
8. http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/edumat/hreduseries/hereandnow/Default.htm
9. Civics and Government:
https://bensguide.gpo.gov/learning-adventures-14more?id=36&age=ben4_8
10. Citizenship Characteristics: ​https://greatamericanhistory.net/honesty.htm

Videos (5):
1. Why people have laws: ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOLJeOHF8G0
2. Human Rights: ​https://youtu.be/x9_IvXFEyJo
3. https://youtu.be/36CUlaqmFi4
4. https://youtu.be/SpIgpdy9rjU
5. 4th of July ​https://youtu.be/zmSVnP-oDRs

Books (30):
1. Police: ​https://www.readinga-z.com/book.php?id=1229
2. Rules:​ Please Play Safe! A penguins guide to playground safety​ by Margery Cuyler
3. Rights: ​I Have the Right to Be a Child​ by Alain Serres
4. Human Rights:​ We are all born Free​ by Amnesty
5. Human Rights: ​A Life Like Mine​ DK & unicef
6. Rules: ​Rules and Laws, ​by Ann-Marie Kishel
7. Rules: ​David Goes to School​, by David Shannon
8. Pledge: ​I Pledge Allegiance​, by Martin Jr, Sampson, and Raschka
9. Rules: ​Know and Follow Rules​, by Cheri J. Meiners
10. 4th of July: ​Red, White, and Boom!​, by Wardlaw and Lee
 11. Flag: ​Red, White, and Blue: The Story of the American Flag​, by Herman and Roraback
12. Firemen: ​Firefighters to the Rescue!​, by Kersten Hamilton
13. Policemen: ​Keeping You Safe​, by Ron Owen
14. Courage: ​Courage​, by Bernard Waber
15. Courage: ​Llama Llama and the bully goat​ by Anna Dewdney
16. Honesty: ​The Empty Pot​, by Demi
17. Honesty: ​The Boy Who Cried Wolf​, by B.G. Hennessy
18. Eagle: ​The Bald Eagle​, by Elaine Landau
19. Responsibility: ​William and the Guinea Pig​, by Gill Rose
20. Responsibility: ​No Excuses!​, Dr. Wayne W, Dyer
21. Evolution of Democracy: ​Vote!​, by Eileen Christelow
22. Government: ​How Does the US Government Work?​, Universal Politics
23. Government: ​Kids’ Guide to Government; Governments Around the World​,
Heinemann/Raintree
24. Government: ​World Governments​ by Campagna
25. US Government: ​We The Kids​ by David Catrow
26. US Government: ​If Kids Could Vote​ by Sally Sugarman
27. US Government: ​Words that Built A Nation​ Miller, Scordato, Tucker
28. Teachers: ​The Art of Miss Chew​ by Patricia Polacco
29. Teachers: ​Thank You, Mr. Falker​ by Patricia Polacco
30. Famous Figures: ​30 People Who Changed the World​ iNK

Games (5):
1. Freerice.com
2. Mission US: For Crown or Colony?
3. https://www.opened.com/search?area=social-studies&license=free&resource_type=game
&subject=civics
4. https://constitutioncenter.org/learn/educational-resources/games
5. https://www.brainpop.com/games/branchesofpower/