Idaho Social Studies 9-12.GOV.18
The Standard
Describe the means that citizens use to responsibly participate in the political process, including campaigning, petitioning, demonstrating, running for office, lobbying, and voting.
Idaho Content Standards: K-12 Social Studies · Citizenship and Civic Participation
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain how citizens campaign, petition, demonstrate, lobby officials, run for office, and vote. They choose a way to act on a local issue and explain how to do it responsibly.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given a proposed library closure, a student can choose actions that address officials, build public support, or affect an election. They can explain how to check claims, follow local rules, and respect other views.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think voting is the only way to participate or that a petition automatically changes a law. They may confuse lobbying with bribery or assume anyone can vote or run for any office.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: The city plans to close the library on Sundays. Name two ways residents could respond, and give one responsible step for each.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups a mock library closure notice and a blank petition form; have them write a specific request to city council.
Ask students when they would contact a council member instead of organizing a demonstration about a bus route cut, and why.
Give pairs six civic action cards and six scenario cards; have them match each pair and explain a responsible step.
Show a local election office voter guide; have students find eligibility rules, registration deadlines, and where to check polling locations.
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