An American Primer: The Founding Documents

The curriculum, Being an

American: Exploring the

Ideals that Unite Us, was made possible by a

generous grant from the Hatton

W. Sumners Foundation.

•Six core lesson plans with extension

activities

•American Heroes-Character Cards

•Understand the importance of the

American experiment

•Declaration of Independence

Being an American: Exploring The Ideals That Unite Us

Being An American: Exploring the Ideals that Unite Us

Lesson OverviewQuoteSummaryObjectivesMaterials List

Lesson Plan BackgroundWarm-UpActivityHomeworkExtensionsHandouts

Answer KeyFounding DocumentsSuggested Readings

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies

8. Delineate and evaluate the reasoning in seminal U.S. texts, including the application of constitutional principles and use of legal reasoning (e.g., in U.S. Supreme Court majority opinions and dissents) and the premises, purposes, and arguments in works of public advocacy (e.g., The Federalist, presidential addresses).

“9. Analyze seventeenth-, eighteenth-, and nineteenth-century foundational U.S. documents of historical and literary significance (including The Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address) for their themes, purposes, and rhetorical features.”

Which of the following statements most closely reflects the Founders’ view about

the importance of civic virtue? a. Civic virtue requires individuals to sacrifice their

own interests for the common good.

b. Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private virtue, and public virtue is the only foundation of a republic.

c. Civic virtue depends on government institutions to require citizens to learn and display virtue.

d. It is more important for public officials to display civic virtue than it is for ordinary citizens.

e. Not Sure

If the character traits that unite us are more important than the issues that may divide us, what makes us American?

A fundamental belief and faith in self-government.

A shared history of struggle and success.

A distinct and unique culture shaped by people from every part of the globe.

American Character

Being an AmericanAmerica’s Civic Values, Page 17

America’s Civic Values—Focus Quotations

“Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics.” ~John Adams

• “If Virtue & Knowledge are diffused among the People, they will never be enslav’d. This will be their great Security.” ~Samuel Adams

John Adams, by John Trumbull (1793)

Samuel Adams, by John Singleton Copley

(1772)

Civic Values Highlighted in Lesson 4, p. 25

Initiative

RespectModeration

Perseverance

Courage

Justice

Responsibility Honor

Resourcefulness

Vigilance

Being an American: Exploring the Values that Unite UsLesson 4, p. 25--America’s Civic Values, calls for students to analyze these timeless values.

Please work with a partner or 2. Each group will consider one of the values featured on the Civic Value Quote Cards in Handout B.

Turn to p. 27. Use questions on this page to reflect on the value assigned. Discuss “Civic Values and You Handout C scenarios as time permits.

Large Group Discussion

Discussion Guide p. 27• Why is it important for citizens to act according to this value?

• What are some consequences if Americans do not act according to this value?

• Why are civic values important in a society with self-government?

• In what concrete ways do engaged citizens exercise these civic values?

–“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” ~C.S. Lewis

Activity II, p. 27Civic Values and You Scenario Cards

--Is there more to being virtuous citizen than being a “good friend”?

Primary Source Analysis, p. 43 - 52

Handouts D-H: analysis of 5 great speeches

Handout I: analysis of provisions of the Constitution

Civic Virtues

Which of the following statements most closely reflects the Founders’ view about

the importance of civic virtue? a. Civic virtue requires individuals to sacrifice their

own interests for the common good.

b. Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private virtue, and public virtue is the only foundation of a republic.

c. Civic virtue depends on government institutions to require citizens to learn and display virtue.

d. It is more important for public officials to display civic virtue than it is for ordinary citizens.

e. Not Sure

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