Oklahoma Social Studies 4.C.1.1

4.C.1.1 is a cluster heading. These are the individual standards under it.

• 4.C.1.1.A

  Identify the principles upon which our nation’s government is based, including the rule of law, compromise, equality, and individual rights of life, liberty and...

• 4.C.1.1.B

  Examine the responsibility of the United States of America’s government as it relates to the promotion of the common good (e.g., security of the people, law and...

• 4.C.1.1.C

  Explain why the United States of America is considered a constitutional republic by identifying the people as the source of authority and describing how the peo...

• 4.C.1.1.D

  Explain how the Constitution of the United States of America is a written plan for establishing the shared powers of government and organizing its institutions.

• 4.C.1.1.E

  Explain basic principles expressed in the Declaration of Independence.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students explain how laws, compromise, equality, and rights guide government decisions. They describe how people elect leaders at local, state, and national levels. They explain how the Declaration of Independence states basic rights and how the Constitution sets up and divides government power.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student can explain that elected officials must follow laws and that government works to protect people's safety and well-being. They can name life, liberty, and property as rights, explain that government gets its authority from the people, and tell what each founding document does.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may think voters decide every law, rather than electing people to make many decisions. Some think officials are above the law or that individual rights mean they can ignore rules that protect others. Others mix up the documents and say the Declaration sets up the branches of government.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: “A town elects a mayor who ignores a safety law. Who gave the mayor authority, why must the mayor follow the law, and how does the law help the town?”

1. 01

   Give pairs mayor, governor, and president cards to place under local, state, or national, then have them cast a paper ballot.

2. 02

   Ask: “Should the town close a playground with broken equipment? How would safety, freedom, and the common good shape that decision?”

3. 03

   Play document match: read “people are created equal” and “Congress makes laws”; students raise Declaration or Constitution cards and explain each choice.

4. 04

   Show a photo of a park’s “No swimming” sign; ask who it protects and whether the mayor must obey it.

• 6.P.2.1

  Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of government, the benefits of democratic systems, and their responsibilities as citizens.

• 5.P.2.1

  Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of government, the benefits of democratic systems, and their responsibilities as citizens.

• 1.P.2.1

  Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of government, the benefits of democratic systems, and their responsibilities as citizens.

• 4.C.1

  Explain the principles of democratic government and the role of citizens.