Grade 3
Indicators

 
 
 
Cultures

 
 
 
Learning about other cultures should include teaching respect for all and what it means to be respectful toward others. Caring and compassion can also be connected to these lessons.

 
 
 
Grades 6-8
Benchmarks  

 
Compare cultural practices, products and perspectives of past civilizations in order to understand commonality and diversity of cultures.
 
Analyze examples of interactions between cultural groups and explain the factors that contribute to cooperation and conflict.
 
Explain how contact between different cultures impacts the diffusion of belief systems, art, science, technology, language and forms of government.
 

1. Buddhism;
2. Christianity;
3. Judaism;
4. Hinduism;
5. Islam.

1. Language;
2. Religion;
3. Types of government;
4. Historic relationships;
5. Economic interests.

1. Stereotyping and prejudice;
2. Racism and discrimination;
3. Institutionalized racism and institutionalized discrimination.

Grades 9-10
Benchmarks

 
Analyze the influence of different cultural perspectives on the actions of groups.
 
Analyze the consequences of oppression, discrimination and conflict between cultures.
 
Analyze the ways that contacts between people of different cultures result in exchanges of cultural practices.
 

 
 
 
Grade 9
Indicators

 
 
 
Interaction

1. The exploitation of indigenous peoples;
2. The Holocaust and other acts of genocide, including those that have occurred in Armenia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Iraq.

 
 
 
Discuss the role of character in these events- including acts of courage and bravery by individuals.

Grades 11-12
Benchmarks

 
Analyze how issues may be viewed differently by various cultural groups.
 
Identify the causes of political, economic and social oppression and analyze ways individuals, organizations and countries respond to resulting conflicts.
 
Explain the role of diverse cultural institutions in shaping American society.
 

Identify and analyze governmental policies that enable individuals of different cultures to participate in the U.S. society and economy including:

1. Naturalization;

2. Voting rights;

3. Racial integration;

4. Affirmative action.

Analyze ways countries and organizations respond to conflicts between forces of unity and forces of diversity (e.g., English only/bilingual education, theocracies/religious freedom, immigration quotas/open immigration policy, single-sex schools/ coeducation).

Grade Level

Economics

 
Making the Character Education Connection
 

K-2
Benchmarks

 
Explain how the scarcity of resources requires people to make choices to satisfy their wants.
 
Distinguish between goods and services and explain how people can be both buyers and sellers of goods and services.
 

Grade 11-12
Benchmarks

 
Analyze how scarcity of productive resources affects supply, demand, inflation and economic choices.
 
Analyze the role of fiscal and regulatory policies in a mixed economy.
 

Compare how values and beliefs influence economic decisions in different communities.
 
Select a current issue; identify the costs and benefits of various choices to determine the impact of personal and social economic decisions on the allocation of productive resources.

K-2
Benchmarks

 
Identify elected leaders and authority figures in the home, school and community and explain reasons for having persons in authority.
 
Explain the purposes of rules in different settings and the results of adherence to, or violation of, the rules.
 

1. The national flag;
2. The Pledge of Allegiance.

1. The bald eagle;
2. The White House;
3. The Statue of Liberty;
4. The national anthem.

Identify leaders such as mayor, governor and president, and explain that they are elected by the people.
 
Explain how a system of government provides order to a group such as a school or community and why government is necessary including:

1. Making and enforcing laws;

2. Providing leadership;

3. Providing services;

4. Resolving disputes.

Explain the importance of landmarks in the United States and the ideals that they represent including:

1. The Washington Monument;

2. The Jefferson Memorial;

3. The Lincoln Memorial.

 
Identify the responsibilities of the branches of the U.S. government and explain why they are necessary.
 
Give examples of documents that specify the structure of state and national governments in the United States and explain how these documents foster self-government in a democracy.
 

1. Promoting order and security;
2. Making laws;
3. Settling disputes;
4. Providing public services;
5. Protecting the rights of individuals.

1. To provide a framework for a government;
2. To limit the power of government;
3. To define the authority of elected officials.

1. The people are the source of the government's authority.
2. All citizens have the right and responsibility to vote and influence the decisions of the government.
3. The government is run directly by the people or through elected representatives.
4. The powers of government are limited by law.
5. Basic rights of individuals are guaranteed by the Constitution.

 
Explain why people institute governments, how they influence governments, and how governments interact with each other.
 
Explain how the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, and the Northwest Ordinance have provided for the protection of rights and the long-term future of a growing democracy.
 

1. Protecting lives, liberty and property;
2. Providing services that individuals cannot provide for themselves.

Explain the ways that countries interact with each other including:

1. Diplomacy;

2. Treaties;

3. International meetings and exchanges (e.g., United Nations);

4. Military conflict.

1. Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition;
2. Right to trial by jury and the right to counsel;
3. Due process and equal protection of the laws.

 
Evaluate, take and defend positions about issues concerning the alignment of the characteristics of American democracy with realities in the United States today.
 
Explain how the U.S. Constitution has evolved including its philosophical foundations, amendments and court interpretations.
 
Analyze how citizens participate in the election process in the United States.
 

Explain the role of elections and political parties (including third parties) in facilitating the democratic process.
 
Describe the ways in which public officials are held accountable for the public good including ways they can acquire and lose their offices with emphasis on:

1. Appointments;

2. Primary and general elections;

3. The Electoral College;

4. Recall;

5. Impeachment.

 
Describe the results of cooperation in group settings and demonstrate the necessary skills.
 
Demonstrate personal accountability, including making choices and taking responsibility for personal actions.
 

1. Trust;
2. Respect;
3. Honesty;
4. Responsibility;
5. Fairness;
6. Compassion;
7. Self-control.

1. Trustworthiness; 
2. Fairness; 
3. Self-control; 
4. Respect for those in authority.

1. Manage conflict peacefully; 
2. Display courtesy; 
3. Respect others.

1. Honesty; 
2. Self-assurance; 
3. Respect for the rights of others; 
4. Persistence; 
5. Patriotism.

 
Explain how citizens take part in civic life in order to promote the common good.
 
Identify rights and responsibilities of citizenship in the United States that are important for preserving democratic government.
 

1. Working to preserve the environment; 
2. Helping the homeless; 
3. Restoring houses in low-income areas; 
4. Supporting education; 
5. Planning community events;
6. Starting a business.

1. Civility; 
2. Respect for the rights and dignity of each person; 
3. Volunteerism; 
4. Compromise; 
5. Compassion; 
6. Persistence in achieving goals; 
7. Civic-mindedness.

1. Voting; 
2. Obeying laws; 
3. Respecting the rights of others; 
4. Being informed about current issues; 
5. Paying taxes.

1. Voting; 
2. Communicating with officials; 
3. Participating in civic and service organizations; 
4. Performing voluntary service.

1. Birth; 
2. Naturalization.

1. Obeying laws; 
2. Paying taxes; 
3. Serving on juries; 
4. Registering for selective service.

1. Freedom of religion; 
2. Freedom of speech; 
3. Freedom of the press; 
4. Right of petition and assembly.

 
Show the relationship between civic participation and attainment of civic and public goals.
 
Identify historical origins that influenced the rights U.S. citizens have today.
 

1. The Sons of Liberty and Committees of Correspondence/American independence; 
2. The Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement/Abolition of slavery.

1. Nominating conventions; 
2. Expansion of the franchise; 
3. Active campaigning.

1. Jefferson and the contradiction between the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and his role as a slave owner; 
2. State constitutional conventions and the disenfranchisement of free blacks; 
3. Jackson and his role in Indian removal; 
4. Frederick Douglass and the abolitionist movement; 
5. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and women's rights.

1. Voting and staying informed on issues; 
2. Being tried by a jury and serving on juries; 
3. Having rights and respecting the rights of others.

Grade 9-10
Benchmarks

 
Analyze ways people achieve governmental change, including political action, social protest and revolution.
 
Explain how individual rights are relative, not absolute, and describe the balance between individual rights, the rights of others, and the common good.
 

1. The French Revolution; 
2. The international movement to abolish the slave trade and slavery; 
3. The Russian Revolution; 
4. The independence movement in India
5. The fall of communism in Europe 
6. The end of apartheid.

1. Absolute monarchies; 
2. Constitutional monarchies; 
3. Parliamentary democracies; 
4. Presidential democracies; 
5. Dictatorships; 
6. Theocracies.

1. Extension of suffrage; 
2. Labor legislation; 
3. Civil rights legislation; 
4. Military policy; 
5. Environmental legislation; 
6. Business regulation; 
7. Educational policy.

1. Women's suffrage movement of the late 1800s; 
2. Civil rights movement of the 1960s; 
3. Student protests during the Vietnam War.

1. Clear and present danger; 
2. Compelling government interest; 
3. National security; 
4. Libel or slander; 
5. Public safety; 
6. Equal opportunity.

1. Conscientious objectors in World War I; 
2. Immigrants during the Red Scare; 
3. Intellectuals and artists during the McCarthy Era; 
4. African-Americans during the civil rights movement.

Grades 11-12
Benchmarks

 
Evaluate various means for citizens to take action on a particular issue.
 
Explain how the exercise of a citizen's rights and responsibilities helps to strengthen a democracy.
 

1. Registering to vote; 
2. Identifying the major duties, responsibilities and qualifications required for a particular position; 
3. Becoming informed about candidates and issues; 
4. Declaring or changing party affiliation; 
5. Obtaining, marking and depositing a ballot.

Explain the meaning and importance of each of the rights guaranteed under the Bill of Rights and how they are secured through: 

1. Legislation; 

2. The role of the judiciary in upholding rights; 

3. The role of citizens exercising their rights.

Explain how citizenship includes the exercise of personal responsibility and active participation in a democracy including: 

1. Behaving in a civil manner; 

2. Being fiscally responsible; 

3. Accepting responsibility for the consequences of one's actions; 

4. Practicing civil discourse; 

5. Becoming informed on public issues; 

6. Voting; 

7. Taking action on public issues; 

8. Providing public service; 

9. Serving on juries.

1. Persuasive speech; 
2. Panel discussion; 
3. Debate.

Evaluate policies that have been proposed as ways of dealing with social changes resulting from new technologies (e.g., censorship of the media, intellectual property rights, or organ donation).
 
Analyze relationships and tensions between national sovereignty and international accords and organizations (e.g., international agreements on environmental issues, trade agreements, arms agreements, European Union or NATO).
 
Explain and demonstrate knowledge of federal and Ohio freedom of information and open meeting laws.
 
Explain how to file a request for public information using either the appropriate federal or Ohio freedom of information statute.
 
Prepare a plan of action that defines a community issue and suggest alternative solutions or courses of action based on appropriate criteria.

1. Mediation; 
2. Arbitration; 
3. Alternative dispute resolution; 
4. Plea-bargaining.

 
K-2
Benchmarks
 

1. Staying on the topic; 
2. Focusing attention on the speaker.

 
Use problem-solving skills to make decisions individually and in groups.
 

1. Identifying a problem; 
2. Gathering information; 
3. Listing and considering options; 
4. Considering advantages and disadvantages of options; 
5. Choosing and implementing a solution.

1. Identifying a problem; 
2. Gathering information; 
3. Listing and considering options; 
4. Considering advantages and disadvantages of options; 
5. Choosing and implementing a solution; 
6. Developing criteria for judging its effectiveness.

 
Grades 6-8
Benchmarks
 

1. Engage in active listening; 
2. Provide feedback in a constructive manner; 
3. Help establish group goals; 
4. Take various roles within the group; 
5. Recognize contributions of others.

Grades 11-12
Benchmarks

1. Finding points of agreement; 
2. Identifying points individuals are willing to concede; 
3. Making sure that all voices are heard; 
4. Attempting to understand the view of others.

1. Identify a problem or dilemma;
2. Analyze the interests, values and points of view;
3. Identify causes of the problem or dilemma;
4. Propose alternative solutions;
5. Formulate a position or course of action;
6. Evaluate the consequences of the action taken