All posts in Civics and Reading A

Civics Review: The Declaration and Constitution

1. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
2. What does the Constitution do?
3. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
4. When was the Constitution written?
5. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
6. What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
7. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
8. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

Reading and Civics

George Washington was president for 8 years, from 1789 to 1797. One hundred years later, his birthday became a national holiday: President’s Day.

After Washington, Adams was elected president. After Adams, Thomas Jefferson was elected president. The United States in the 1800s was a young, new country.

Thomas Jefferson wanted the United States to get bigger and bigger. He helped buy the Louisiana Territory.

The Louisiana Territory was 828,000 square miles of land. It was named after King Louis (Luis) of France.

In 1803, the United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France for 15 million dollars. But, this did not include any deal with the Native Americans who lived in the territory.

What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? –> Louisiana

In 1812, there was more war with England. One man saw a terrible fight all night long. But in the morning, the US flag was still there.

He wrote a poem called The Star Spangled Banner. The Star Spangled Banner means “the flag with a lot of stars.”

The Star Spangled Banner became a very popular song. It became the national anthem for the United States. You can hear it before important events and sports games.

What is the name of the national anthem? –> The Star Spangled Banner

African people were brought to the United States as slaves from 1619 to 1821. Even after 1821, slavery continued in the south United States.

There were 4 million slaves in the United States. More and more, people said: “This is wrong. All people have the rights of life and liberty.”

More and more people wanted civil rights for all Americans. Civil rights means protecting the rights of all people.

One important civil rights leader was Susan B. Anthony. Susan B. Anthony fought for civil rights for all people, black and white.

Also, Susan B. Anthony fought for women’s rights. For example, in the 1700s and 1800s, women in the United States did not have the right to vote.

What did Susan B. Anthony do? –> Fought for women’s rights.

Name one leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s. –> Susan B. Anthony

In 1920, Americans made a change to the constitution. The 19th (nineteenth) Amendment means that all women citizens of the United States get the right to vote.

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But what about the millions of slaves in the US in the 1800s? The evil problem of slavery was like a bomb waiting. And in 1861, the bomb went off.

We call this time The Civil War.

Questions

• What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
• What did Susan B. Anthony do?
• What is the name of the national anthem?

Review: The Declaration of Independence

1. When do we celebrate Independence Day?
2. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
3. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
4. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
5. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

A new country

The Declaration of Independence said “the United States is free!”

But, Britain still wanted to keep the 13 colonies.

The British military sent more and more soldiers and ships to America.

The new United States fought the British military. We call this fight The Revolutionary War.

What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain? –> The Revolutionary War

The American Revolution had many important events. Name one. –> The Declaration of Independence

George Washington was the military leader for the United States. He was the general of the United States Army.

Washington was a hero and a strong leader during this difficult time. He was very, very popular with Americans.

He helped win the Revolutionary War, and he helped lead the Constitutional Convention. We call him “the father of our country.”

Who is the “Father of Our Country”? –> George Washington

George Washington is famous for many things. Name one. –> Father of our country

George Washington and the new US army fought the British for 8 years.

The US army won the war, and the British left the United States.

After the war, George Washington became the first president.

Who was the first president? –> George Washington

Benjamin Franklin also helped the new United States. He was a U.S. diplomat.

Benjamin Franklin went to France. After that, France helped the US fight the British.

What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for? –> US diplomat / inventor

Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one. –> US diplomat / inventor

The new country needed new laws, so the leaders wrote the Constitution. The Constitution was the supreme law of the new country.

(100 and 128) What is the supreme law of the land? –> The Constitution

Can you answer these questions about the new United States?

1. Who is the “Father of Our Country”?
2. Who was the first President?*
3. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
4. What is the supreme law of the land?

Can you answer the civics questions about this information?

Civics and Reading: The United States is free

Colonists came to America for freedom. But, the colonies were still part of the British Government.

The British Government and the King of England chose the leaders of the colonies. Many colonists wanted to choose their own leaders.

The British Government and the King of England made taxes higher and higher. More and more colonists were unhappy with the government.

More and more American colonists made plans to overthrow the British Government. They fought the British because of high taxes and because they wanted to choose their own leaders.

Why did the colonists fight the British? –> High taxes

Some colonists made a new government to fight the British and make a new country.

They made the Declaration of Independence. It said that the United States is free.

What did the Declaration of Independence do? –> It said the United States is free

The Declaration of Independence is a break-up letter with the British government and King of England. It has a list of all the problems with the British government.

It says that all people have the rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. The American colonists said that the British did not give them life or liberty.

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence? –> Life and Liberty

Many American colonists talked about the ideas in the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? –> Thomas Jefferson

The new American congress had a vote to agree with the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4th, 1776.

Be careful: was adopted = in the past, in history, in 1776.

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? –> July 4th, 1776

That’s why we celebrate Independence Day every July 4th. Be careful: we celebrate = in the present, every year.

When do we celebrate Independence Day?* –> July 4th (July fourth)

Civics Review

1. Why did the colonists fight the British?
2. When do we celebrate Independence Day?*
3. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
4. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
5. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
6. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

From Tuesday:

1. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
2. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
3. What is one reason colonists came to America?
4. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
5. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
6. There were 13 original states. Name three.

More than 15,000 years ago, people came to North America, Central America, and South America.

They spread all over America, and created many different cultures and civilizations.

These people were the Native Americans, or American Indians.

(100 and 128) Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? –> American Indians or Native Americans

There were thousands of different American Indian groups, called tribes.

Many tribes are still here today. More than 5 million Native Americans and mixed race Native Americans live in the United States now.

Each tribe has its own traditions, leaders, art, culture, and languages, too.

Many Native Americans are leaders in the United States. One example is Deb Haaland, who is a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe. She was part of Joe Biden’s cabinet. She was the Secretary of the Interior.

(100 and 128) Name one American Indian tribe in the United States. –> Pueblo

People from Europe are called Europeans. Christopher Columbus was one of the first Europeans to come to America.

Europeans fought American Indians, took their land, and brought diseases. Some Europeans did business with the Indians, made friendships, and even married with them. But, millions of American Indians died from these problems.

Europeans started colonies in America. These were new cities, but they still had a connection to their home country.

For example, Spain, Portugal, and England started many colonies. The people who live in colonies were called colonists.

In England, the leader of the government was a king. The British king had a lot of power, and many people did not have freedom.

We use the words British and English to describe the same place.

Many English people became colonists, and came to America for more freedom.

What is one reason colonists came to America? –> Freedom

The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one. –> Freedom

On the other hand, many people lost their freedom in America. European businessmen took more than 12 million African people to North and South America and sold them as slaves.

(100 and 128) What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves? –> African people

By the year 1700, America was home to Native Americans, colonists, and slaves. 13 British colonies in North America are now part of the United States.

We remember those 13 original colonies in the 13 stripes of the United States.

(100 and 128) Why does the flag have 13 stripes? –> There were 13 original colonies

There were 13 original colonies that became states. Good news: you don’t have to remember all of them!

You can remember the 3 NEW states: New York, New Jersey, and New Hampshire.

Or, you can remember the 3 beautiful sisters: Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

There were 13 original states. Name three. –> New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire

There were 13 original states. Name five. –> New York / New Jersey / New Hampshire / North Carolina / South Carolina / Virginia

1. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
2. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
3. What is one reason colonists came to America?
4. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
5. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
6. There were 13 original states. Name three.

Review: Questions about the president

1. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*
2. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?*
3. What is the political party of the President now?
4. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*

Reading and Civics

The constitution defines the United States government. It sets up the legislative branch and the judicial branch.

We have read and learned about Congress and the Courts. There is one more major part of the American government. Do you know what it is?

The executive branch is the final part of the US government. The President is the leader of this part. The President is in charge of the executive branch.

Who is in charge of the executive branch? –> The President

The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government? –> Executive branch

The executive branch has many parts. Name one. –> The President

The executive branch has many important departments and offices. The President has a lot of power in this part of the government.

The President is responsible for these departments, including:

• The State Department
• Homeland Security
• The Department of Justice
• The Department of Education
• The Department of Defense

The Department of Defense includes the military. The President is the Commander in Chief of the military. This means they are the #1 boss of the military.

(100 and 128) Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? –> The President

The President cannot make new federal laws. Congress makes federal laws. But, Congress must work with the President.

A new law is called a bill. If the Senate and the House agree on a bill, they send it to the President. If the President signs the bill with their name, it becomes a law.

(100 and 128) Who signs bills to become laws? –> The President

But, sometimes the President does not agree with Congress. If the President does not sign the bill, it will not become a law.

When the Presidents says “no!” to a bill, it is called a veto. Only the President can veto a bill.

(100 and 128) Who vetoes bills? –> The president

Name one power of the president. –> Sign bills / veto bills

Another power is appointing federal judges. When the federal courts need a new judge, the president chooses the judge. The senate votes to agree or disagree with that choice.

Who appoints federal judges? –> The president

The writers of the Constitution did not want the United States to have a king. They did not want to have presidents serve for life.

So, we have a democratic election for President. We elect a President for 4 years.

We elect a President for how many years? –> 4

The President of the United States is elected for how many years? * –> 4

George Washington served two terms as president. He was president for eight years. Thomas Jefferson also served two terms as president. For a long time, everyone followed their example.

Roosevelt was president during the Great Depression and World War 2. He was elected four times. After that, congress and the states made a change to the constitution. The 22nd amendment says that presidents can only serve two terms. It keeps the president from becoming too powerful.

The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why? –> To keep the president from becoming too powerful / 22nd amendment

We vote for President almost at the end of the year. We vote for President in November. Election day is usually on the first Tuesday in November.

(100 only) In what month do we vote for President?* –> November

Citizens in every state vote for president. But, the system for deciding who is president is strange and complicated.

The Electoral College is the system for deciding who is president. Every state (and Washington DC) has a number of votes in the Electoral College.

What do you think is better? The Electoral College, or counting all the votes directly?

Why is the Electoral College important? –> It decides who is president

1. Who is in charge of the executive branch?
2. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
3. Who signs bills to become laws?
4. Who vetoes bills?
5. We elect a President for how many years?
6. In what month do we vote for President?*

Bonus: How does the US elect a president?

This information helps us understand more about voting.

Questions for listening:

• Who votes for president?
• Why does it take a long time to count all the votes?
• What do we call the system of choosing the president with all 50 states and Washington D.C.?
• What is one good way to learn news about the US Election?

Congress has two parts: the House and the Senate. The Senate is smaller, but has more power and respect.

For example, the Senate has the power to approve or deny the president’s choices for the cabinet and the courts. The Senate decides to impeach presidents or other federal positions, too.

Each state has only two senators. Each senator works for all the people in the state.

In Oregon, your senators represent you if you live in Portland.

Your U.S. senators represent you if you live in Beaverton or Washington county.

Your U.S. senators represent you if you live in Salem.

Your U.S. senators represent you if you live in Klamath Falls, Ontario, or Burns.

Your U.S. senators represent all the people of the state.

Who does a U.S. Senator represent? –> All people of the state

Do you remember the senators from your state? In Oregon, they are Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley.

We we elect a U.S. senator for six years. The citizens of the state elect the senators. Oregon citizens elected Ron Wyden in 2022 and Jeff Merkley in 2020.

Who elects U.S. senators? –> The citizens of the state

Every state has two senators, and we have 50 states. So, we have 100 senators in total. In Washington, the senators are Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray.

How many U.S. Senators are there? –> 100

The Senate has 100 senators because we have two senators from fifty states. California has two senators. Idaho has two senators. Puerto Rico has… no senators (because it is a territory).

How many senators does each state have? –> 2

Every state is the same in the senate because they have only two senators. The goal is to have equal representation of all the states. They are all equal because they have two senators giving them representation.

Why does each state have two senators? –> Equal representation

Senators have a lot of respect. For example, we elect representatives for only 2 years. We elect the president for only 4 years. But we elect US senators for 6 years!

We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? –> six

Now, let’s learn about another part or branch of the government: the courts, or judicial branch. Judges review laws and interpret them so we can understand them.

Also, if congress or the president do something against the law of the constitution, the courts can hold them responsible. This is an example of checks and balances.

What does the judicial branch do? –> Reviews laws / interprets laws

Every county in every state in the U.S. has a court. There are courts above those courts. And every state has a supreme court, too. We also have federal courts for every state, and courts above those courts.

The highest court in the U.S. is The Supreme Court.

What is one part of the judicial branch? –> The Supreme Court / federal courts

What is the highest court in the United States? –> The Supreme Court

The judges on the supreme court are special, and are called justices. When one retires or dies, the president can choose a new judge. But, the Senate has to approve the new justice.

In February 2022, Justice Stephen Breyer made a plan to retire from the Supreme Court, and President Biden chose Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to join the Supreme Court.

After Biden nominated Jackson, the Senate interviewed her and discussed her nomination. On April 7, 2022, the Senate confirmed her to the Supreme Court. She is the first African-American woman on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Right now, there are still nine justices on the Supreme Court. John Roberts is the chief justice.

How many justices are on the Supreme Court? –> nine

How many seats are on the Supreme Court? –> nine

Supreme Court justices listen to legal cases and work together to make a decision. Sometimes they all agree on the decision, and sometimes they disagree. They need at least five out of nine justices to decide a case.

How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case? –> five

Supreme Court justices serve for life. When a justice retires or dies, the president can choose a new justice. The senate votes to confirm them or not.

After that, the Supreme Court justices are independent. The senate cannot have a vote to remove them. So, they are “outside” of politics.

Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why? –> to be independent / to be outside of politics

Review: The House, the Senate, and the Supreme Court

1. Who makes federal laws?
2. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*
3. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
4. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
5. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
6. Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
7. How many U.S. Senators are there?
8. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
9. What does the judicial branch do?
10. What is the highest court in the United States?
11. How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

The House 🏠

The United States government has three branches, or parts. Congress is the part that makes laws.

Congress makes laws for all of the United States. They can write laws about many things, like health care, unemployment benefits, transportation, the military, taxes, and more.

Citizens in every state choose members of congress. We vote for them, and they represent us in Washington DC. If you are not happy with something, you can call your representative and tell them. This is all part of democracy.

(100) Who makes federal laws? –> Congress

(128) What part of the federal government writes laws? –> Congress

(128) Name one power of the U.S. Congress. * –> Write laws

Congress has two parts. The House of Representatives has many members. The Senate has fewer members. They have to work together to make new laws, but it is not easy.

What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?* –> The House and the Senate

Citizens in every district elect US Representatives, and they serve a term of 2 years. After 2 years, there is another election for all the representatives.

That means every 2 years, the House can change a lot. But, representatives can run again and again, and serve for a long time.

We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years? –> 2

How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives? –> 2 years

Representatives serve short terms of only 2 years. If they want to keep their job and win the next election, they have to pay more attention to public opinion. They really need to listen!

Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators? –> to pay more attention to public opinion

Every state sends Representatives to Washington DC, but some states send more. For example, Oregon has 6 Representatives. Washington has 10 Representatives. California has 52 Representatives.

Why? Washington has more people than Oregon. And California has the most people in the United States. Some states have more Representatives than other states because they have more people.

Before 2022, Oregon only had 5 representatives. In 2022, Oregon got a 6th representative. Why? Because the state population grew in 2020.

Why do some states have more Representatives than other states? –> because they have more people / because of the state’s population

Some states have more representatives than other states. Why? –> because they have more people

The citizens in each district of congress elect members of the House. There are about 750,000 people in every district. You can find your district online.

Who elects members of the House of Representatives? –> the citizens in their district

Members of the house work for the people in their district. We also say that they represent the people in their district.

Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent? –> the people in their district / the citizens in their district

The House of Representatives has 435 voting members.

How many voting members in the House of Representatives?
In the House of Representatives?
In the House of Representatives?
How many voting members in the House of Representatives?
Four hundred thirty five!

The House of Representatives has how many voting members? –> 435

Review!

1. Who makes federal laws?
2. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*
3. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
4. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
5. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

The United States is a democracy. Citizens choose leaders by voting in elections.

Voting is a special right that is only for United States citizens. When you become a citizen, you should register to vote!

(100) Name one right only for United States citizens. –> Vote in a federal election

Voting is also a responsibility. Only you can make a decision about your vote. No one can do it for you.

And if you don’t send your vote, it will not get done.

If you know someone who is voting and has questions, you can find a lot of help from the County Elections Office. In Multnomah County, you can even get help with translation.

Another responsibility is to serve on a jury. In the US, a jury is a group of citizens who make a decision in court. A jury may make a decision about a crime and if someone is guilty or not.

A jury may also work with a judge in a case about other kinds of law, too. If you are a citizen, it is your responsibility to serve on a jury.

Have you ever gotten mail about serving on a jury? In Oregon, courts use driver license information to choose people.

What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?* –> Vote in a federal election / serve on a jury

Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States? –> US Citizens

Citizens have to be 18 to vote for president. In Oregon, citizens can register to vote when they are 16, and they automatically register when they get a drivers license. But, they have to wait to be 18 to really vote.

How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?* –> 18 and older

What is one way Americans can serve their country? –> Vote / Pay taxes / Obey the laws

An amendment is a change to the Constitution. When the Constitution was written in 1787, only men with property could vote. Since then, Americans changed the Constitution 4 times:

• Men of all races can vote
• Voting must be free (no voting taxes)
• Women can vote (any citizen can vote)
• Citizens 18 and older can vote

There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them. –> Citizens 18 and older can vote / Any citizen can vote

When you register to vote, you can choose a political party. It is free to join a political party. It is public information kept by the Oregon secretary of state. It is your right to join any political party, or none.

But, you should join a political party so you can vote in a primary election. A primary election is the election that each political party has to choose their candidate.

So, Democrats can vote in the Democratic primary election. Republicans can vote in the Republican primary election. After the primary, there is a general election. All registered voters can vote in a general election.

(100) What are the two major political parties in the United States?* –> Democratic and Republican

Review

Review of the Constitution and Your Rights + The Right to Vote

Can you answer these questions when someone asks you?

Extra practice: can you write the answers?

1. What is the “rule of law”?
2. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
3. What is an amendment?
4. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
5. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*
6. What is freedom of religion?
7. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
8. Name one right only for United States citizens.
9. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*
10. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*
11. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
12. What are the two major political parties in the United States?*

Civics and Reading

The constitution defines the government for all Americans.

We don’t have any kings, queens, or nobility. Everyone must follow the law.

What about teachers? They must follow the law.

What about governors? They must follow the law.

What about presidents? They must follow the law.

(100 and 128) What is the “rule of law”? –> Everyone must follow the law.

The first three words of the constitution are “We the People.” This means that the constitution and the government of the United States are the work of the people. It is not the work of a king.

The government of the United States is for the benefit of the people. We elect leaders and representatives to help make good decisions. The name of this type of government is “Republic”.

What is the form of government of the United States? –> Republic

The constitution was written in 1787. It had many problems.

For example, in 1787, women could not vote.

In 1787, white men could own slaves.

In 1787, Native Americans had no rights in the U.S.

After 1787, Americans made many changes to the constitution. A change to the constitution is also called an amendment.

For example, Americans made 4 amendments to change voting rights for all citizens of any race, men and women, 18 and older.

What is an amendment? –> A change (to the constitution)

How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution? –> An amendment

Congress and the states can change the constitution, but it is not easy. Also, it takes a long time to pass an amendment.

Congress and the states have only changed the Constitution 27 times.

How many fingers do you have? And toes? And eyes? And ears? And nostrils (holes in your nose)?And mouths?

(100 and 128) How many amendments does the Constitution have? –> 27

In 1789, Congress made 10 amendments to the Constitution. This list of amendments was called a bill.

These first 10 amendments give us really important rights. A “right” means something that a person can do, and that the government cannot stop or limit them from.

So, we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution the Bill of Rights.

What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? –> The Bill of Rights

What does the Bill of Rights protect? –> The rights of Americans / The rights of people living in the United States

The first amendment gives all Americans the right to free speech. It also gives us the right to come together, to protest, to report news freely, and to practice religion.

(100) What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?* –> Speech

Many colonists came from Europe to America for religious freedom. They wanted to practice their religion in a free way.

Now, we also have the freedom to not practice a religion. Even today, many people come to the United States for religious freedom.

(100) What is freedom of religion? –> You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

These rights in the constitution are for all people in the United States. That means these are rights for citizens, permanent residents, undocumented people, and visitors.

For example, everyone living in the United States has the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and freedom to bear arms.

What are two rights of everyone living in the United States? –> freedom of speech, freedom of religion

What are three rights of everyone living in the United States? –> freedom of speech / freedom of religion / freedom of expression / freedom to bear arms.

Review

1. What is the “rule of law”?
2. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
3. What is an amendment?
4. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
5. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*
6. What is freedom of religion?
7. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?