All posts in Civics and Reading A

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.

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.

One example is the Pueblo tribe. Today, a Pueblo woman, Deb Haaland, is part of Joe Biden’s cabinet. She is the Secretary of the Interior.

The Department of the Interior manages 507 million acres of land in the US. It is also responsible for relationships with Native Americans.

Extra information: Right now, the United States has 4 representatives in congress who are Native Americans. They are from New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas. There is also one representative who is Native Hawaiian.

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

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

Who vetoes bills? –> 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

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.

In what month do we vote for President?* –> November

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

Every state has two senators, and we have 50 states. So, we have 100 senators in total.

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

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

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

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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 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

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.

Who makes federal laws? –> Congress

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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

The House of Representatives is kind of a wild place. We elect US Representatives every 2 years. That means every 2 years, the House can change a lot.

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

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

The House of Representatives has 435 voting members. How can we remember that?

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

Who is the leader of a class?

Who is the leader of a plane?

Who is the leader of a business?

In the House of Representatives, the leader is called “Speaker of the House.” They choose who can speak, and they lead the meeting.

Right now (October 2023), the Speaker of the House is Mike Johnson.

What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? –> Mike Johnson

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?
6. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

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!

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

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

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.

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.

What is the “rule of law”? –> Everyone must follow the law.

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)

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?

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

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.

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.

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 and freedom of religion.

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

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?

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The United States government has many parts. Congress makes federal laws. The court interprets the laws. The president signs bills to become laws. The president is also in charge of the Executive branch.

Each part of the government is called a branch. The constitution made 3 branches of government to work together.

Name one branch or part of the government.* –> Congress / the President / the courts

The founding fathers did not want America to have a king. They worried about one part of the government from getting too much power.

So, congress has some powers over the president. The president has some power over congress. The court has some power over the president and congress. Congress and the president also have some power over the court.

This separation of power is supposed to keep things balanced. We sometimes call these rules checks and balances.

What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? –> Checks and Balances

Another balance of power is between the federal government and state governments. The federal government means the government of all 50 states, with the capital in Washington, D.C.

Only the federal government can do some special things, like:

• Print money
• Declare war
• Make treaties

Be careful with this question: it is very similar to another question!

The key word is: federal government

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government? –> print money

On the other hand, only state governments have these powers:

• Give a driver license
• Provide education
• Provide police and safety

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states? –> give a driver license

Weekly Review

1. What is the supreme law of the land?
2. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
3. What does the Constitution do?
4. When was the Constitution written?
5. What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
6. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
7. Name one branch or part of the government.*
8. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
9. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
10. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

The constitution is the most important law of the United States.

That is what we mean when we say the constitution is the supreme law of the US.

Practice saying “The Constitution” because you will need to say it for many of the questions and answers 😊

What is the supreme law of the land? –> The Constitution

The Constitution has the idea of self-government in the first three words.

Self-government means a government by the people, of the people, and for the people.

It means we have a democracy, and we elect representatives.

The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? –> We the people

Before the Constitution, the US didn’t have a clear system. States did not agree about important things like money, the military, or elections.

The Constitution was a plan to set up the government. It explains the system of government.

What does the Constitution do? –> It sets up the government.

The founding fathers were leaders who started the United States. They met in 1787 to write a new constitution for the US.

(We will learn more about the history of the founding fathers later 🤗)

How can you remember this year? For example, can you remember something that happened in 1987?

When was the Constitution written? –> 1787

This meeting was called the “Constitutional Convention.” During the Constitutional Convention, the founding fathers wrote the constitution.

We also say that at the Constitutional Convention, the constitution was written.

What happened at the Constitutional Convention? –>The founding fathers wrote the constitution / The Constitution was written.

After the constitution was written, every state voted to agree or disagree with it.

Alexander Hamilton wrote the Federalist Papers. They explained why the US needed this constitution.

There is only one question about the Federalist Papers. When you hear “Federalist Papers,” you can think about this song:

The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers. –> Alexander Hamilton / John Jay / James Madison

1. What is the supreme law of the land?
2. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
3. What does the Constitution do?
4. When was the Constitution written?
5. What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
6. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

Civics Review: Oregon Leaders

Map Review

Reading+Civics: Places

The Statue of Liberty is a famous place in New York.

Have you ever visited the Statue of Liberty?

Where is the Statue of Liberty? –> New York

The United States has many long rivers.

The number one longest river in the United States is the Mississippi.

Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States. –> Mississippi

Oregon, Washington, and California are states. They are part of the 50 United States.

Citizens in states can vote for president. But they also have to pay federal taxes.

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The United States also has territories. Territories are not the same as states. For example, Puerto Rico is a territory with more than 3 million people.

They are part of the US, but the citizens there do not vote for president. But, they do not have to pay the same taxes.

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Another US territory is Guam. It is an island in the Pacific Ocean with about 165,000 people.

Name one US Territory. –> Puerto Rico

The United States flag has 50 stars. Each star represents one state.

The flag has 50 stars because we have 50 states.

Why does the flag have 50 stars? –> Because we have 50 states