M-DCPS Civics Toolbox

Item Specifications THINKGATE AT A GLANCE Pacing Guides  Primary source documents, Primary source documents,  DOK, Task Cards DOK, Task Cards Lesson Plans for each tested Benchmark  Civics EOC Fact Sheet Civics EOC Fact Sheet  Civics EOC Sample Questions Civics EOC Sample Questions  Test Taking Strategies for the EOC Test Taking Strategies for the EOC NBC Learn Access through Employee Portal Employee Portal Item Analysis and Data- Based Instruction: Textbook: M-DCPS Portal Curriculum Wheel M-DCPS Civics Toolbox Civics EOC Pacing Guide Timeline

Did you know? Here are some of the questions that gave respondents the most difficulty: 85% could not define "the rule of law." 75% did not know basic functions of the judicial branch. 71%were unable to identify the Constitution as the "supreme law of the land." A survey of more than 1,000 voting-age natural- born U.S. citizens asked respondents 10 random questions from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Civics Exam, which is administered as part of the naturalization process, finding that 35 percent answered five or less questions correctly. Oppositely, more than 97 percent of immigrants applying for citizenship pass the test. Washington Whispers. Study: One in Three Americans Fails Naturalization Civics Test, By BRIAN GREENE. one-in-three-americans-fails-naturalization-civics-testBRIAN GREENE one-in-three-americans-fails-naturalization-civics-test

Did you know? 63% could not name one of their state's Senators. 62% did not know the name the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. 62% could not identify the governor of their state. 57% could not define an "amendment." Washington Whispers. Study: One in Three Americans Fails Naturalization Civics Test, By BRIAN GREENE. GREENE

CS/HB 105: The Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Civics Education Act Civics EOC Assessment: – —Field Test – —30% of the student's final course grade – [Fall 2014—Standard Setting] – —student must earn a passing score on the EOC in order to pass the course and receive course credit

Florida, Civics, Test Blueprint Reporting CategoryBenchmarksPercent of ItemsNumber of Items 1. Origins and Purposes of Law and Government 2510 SS.7.C.1.1 SS.7.C.1.2 SS.7.C.1.3 SS.7.C.1.4 SS.7.C.1.5 SS.7.C.1.6 SS.7.C.1.7 SS.7.C.1.8 SS.7.C.1.9 SS.7.C Roles, Rights, and Responsibilities of Citizens 2510 SS.7.C.2.1 SS.7.C.2.2 SS.7.C.2.4 SS.7.C.2.5 SS.7.C.3.6 SS.7.C.3.7 SS.7.C Government Policies and Political Processes 2510 SS.7.C.2.8 SS.7.C.2.9 SS.7.C.2.10 SS.7.C.2.11 SS.7.C.2.12 SS.7.C.2.13 SS.7.C.4.1 SS.7.C.4.2 SS.7.C Organization and Function of Government 2510 SS.7.C.3.1 SS.7.C.3.2 SS.7.C.3.3 SS.7.C.3.4 SS.7.C.3.5 SS.7.C.3.8 SS.7.C.3.11 SS.7.C.3.13 SS.7.C.3.14 Totals

Benchmarks also assessed are in blue SS.7.C.2.3 Experience the responsibilities of citizens at the local, state, or federal levels (SS.7.C.2.2). SS.7.C.2.6 Simulate the trial process and the role of juries in the administration of justice (SS.7.C.3.11). SS.7.C.2.7 Conduct a mock election to demonstrate the voting process and its impact on a school, community, or local level (SS.7.C.2.9). SS.7.C.2.14 Conduct a service project to further the public good (SS.7.C.2.2). SS.7.C.3.9 Illustrate the law making process at the local, state, and federal levels (SS.7.C.2.8).

Useful Tools Item Specifications: 2g.pdf Should be used as your guiding document to shape instruction as well as to create lesson plans, word walls, primary sources documents, clarify tested benchmarks, and check for mastery of tested benchmarks.

Useful Tools Edusoft pre-post tests and District Assessments. and MIDDLE%20SCHOOL%20RESOURCES%20ON%20EDU SOFT.docx MIDDLE%20SCHOOL%20RESOURCES%20ON%20EDU SOFT.docx Assessments for each tested Benchmarks: Under Social Studies District assessment folder. Pre/Post test for each nine weeks District assessments: Baseline and Post-Test in March Coming and thereafter: Civics baseline, winter, and spring interim assessments.

Useful Tools 7th Grade Pacing Guides: Primary source documents, DOK,Task Cards and ….) Lesson Plans for each tested Benchmark: p Textbook:

Useful Tools Item Analysis and Data-Based instruction : ts.asp Testing is not enough, data should be analyzed and used to modify instruction in order to master tested benchmarks. This is done by differentiating instruction and re-teaching concepts with which students are having difficulty.

Useful Tools Professional Development: Civics Leaders’ Institute, conferences, and other District trainings (using resources from the Florida Law Related Education Association). Other Resources: iCivics, RDA, Center on Congress, Center on Civic Education programs, Library of Congress.

Use Resources from: Non ProfitNon Partisan Law-FocusedGrassroots

FLREA Programs Florida High School Mock Trial Competition Florida High School Moot Court Competition

What are we doing now?

Each section comes with a PDF lesson packet and an interactive digital flipbook.

Each PowerPoint can be downloaded and modified based on the needs of your students.

Another Example: From Section 9: Political Participation and Media Influence

THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE The Electoral College is a system where 538 electors cast votes to decide who will be the President and Vice President. Why 29? Why 538? This is the total of the members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and three votes for the District of Columbia. In Florida, electors are nominated by their political party and approved by the Governor. Because Florida has 29 electoral votes, each party (Democrat and Republican) is allowed to appoint 29 electors. 435* = 538 Florida has 27 Congressional Districts (FL gained two districts due to a population increase) and 2 Senators….for a total of 29. Public Law 62-5 Public Law 62-5 says that 435 will be the number in the House of Representatives. This number does not change, rather other states lose seats as states gain seats in the House.

THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE Whichever candidate receives the popular (majority) vote in a state (>50%), wins the electoral votes. Candidate ACandidate B For example, in Florida: 29 Electors If candidate B wins more than 50% of the popular vote, their 29 electors get to cast their votes for that Candidate. Candidate A loses the race for that state.

STEP 5 Electoral College HOW TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES Each elector casts one vote following the general election, and the candidate who gets more than half (270 of 538) wins. Florida has 29 electoral votes.

In addition to the original lessons, FLREA also integrates outstanding external resources from:

We the People… the Citizen and the Constitution We the People: the Citizen and the Constitution is a 6 Unit text focusing on the meaning and value of the United States Constitution. Students using in the We the People curriculum participate in the culminating activity, a simulated congressional hearing in which they present information on a given unit from the text, establish viewpoints, and formulate supported opinions, and defend their positions to a panel of judges.

Project Citizen seeks to promote competent and responsible participation in local and state government at all grade levels. Students research a community problem, propose alternate solutions, select a class public policy to serve as a solution, and establish a plan of action.

The Center on Congress at Indiana University offers wonderful resources for teaching about Congress. Site provides teachers with: Interactive learning modules Short videos featuring “Facts on Congress” A Virtual Congress Database of Primary Resources A “Citizen’s Guide to Congress” Time! For Kids Mini Magazine

iCivics (formerly Our Courts) is a web- based education project designed to teach students civics and inspire them to be active participants in our democracy. iCivics is the vision of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who is concerned that students are not getting the information and tools they need for civic participation, and that civics teachers need better materials and support. FLREA is the State Coordinator for the iCivics program for the State of Florida.

CNN Student News Provides daily current events, archived news stories, transcripts, discussion boards, and news quizzes!

Using the entire toolbox, your students will be equipped to pass the Civics EOC and be successful. Some slides are from FLREA’s website.