The following chart provides an outline of Unit Two:
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Major Concept citizenship Related Concepts citizens, democracy, citizen responsibilities, rights, conflict resolution, decision making, immigrant, voting, elections, representative government, human rights Topics Topic One: Glorious and Free Topic Two: Defining Citizenship Topic Three: A Brief History of Canadian Citizenship Topic Four: Decision Making in a Democracy Topic Five: Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens in a Democracy Topic Six: The History of Canadian Government Structure Topic Seven: Levels of Decision Making in Government Topic Eight: Active, Informal Citizenship Topic Nine: Reaffirm Your Citizenship |
Glossary of Terms
Citizen
A person who lives in a given place, such as Saskatchewan or
Canada, and has both a formal and informal relationship with other people in that place.
Citizenship
The exercising of rights, privileges and responsibilities
as a member of a particular society.
Consensus
When everyone agrees to accept a decision.
Constitution
The body of laws that set out the political and legal foundation
of a nation.
Democracy
A form of government that is elected and controlled by the
people who live under it.
Election
The procedure when eligible Canadian citizens go to the polls
to vote for the person they believe should represent them in the government.
Executive
The body of government that suggests new laws to the legislature,
and puts into effect the laws passed by the legislature.
Government
A group of people who make decisions and laws on behalf of
the citizens and protect the rights of those citizens.
Human Rights
The rights that protect Canadian citizens from being discriminated
against by other Canadians.
Immigrant
A person who comes to a new country to live and make it home.
Legislative
The body of elected provincial representatives having the
power to make laws at the provincial level.
Municipal
Local, community level of government in urban or rural areas.
Government
Parliament
A legislative law-making assembly of representatives. In
Canada, Parliament includes the House of Commons (elected) and the Senate
(appointed).
Politics
The art and science of government.
Power
The authority and ability to do a job or make a decision.
Representative
A form of government in which citizens vote to elect
people to represent them; that is,
Democracy speak and act on their behalf.
Responsibilities
Something that a person is expected to do.
Rights
A fair and just claim to something, often guaranteed by law.
Resources
All units are resource-based; teachers and students are encouraged to
use a variety of resources and sources throughout. The accompanying bibliography
contains annotations of current, useful resources including print, video,
Internet sites, and other media selections. Teachers are encouraged
to assess their current resource collection, identifying those that are
still useful, and to acquire small quantities of each title, rather than
class sets, in order to provide students with a broad range of perspectives
and information. The bibliography that accompanies this curriculum
guide includes detailed annotations that will assist in making resource
selections appropriate to the abilities and needs of the students.
The following list of resource titles provides a starting point for developing a Unit Two resource collection that is current and relevant, and that addresses students' various learning styles and abilities.
Print Resources
Canadian Citizenship in Action
Finding Your Voice: You and Your Government
Government Matters
Parliament: Canada's Democracy and How it Works
You and Your World (previously listed resource, much of which
is still useful)
The following anthologies are listed Middle Level English Language Arts (Grades 6-9) and offer opportunities for interdisciplinary instruction.
And They Told Us Their Stories: A Book of Indian Stories
Biography - Issues Collection
Claiming the Future
Departures
Discoveries in Non-fiction
Global Issues - Issues Collection
Glory Days and Other Stories
Home and Homeland
In Perspectives Series
In Search of Justice - Issues collection
In Touch - Nelson Mini-Anthologies
Inside Essays I
Justice - Issues Collection
Matters of Fact
Native Voices - Issues Collection
People Profiles (kit) - Multisource
Transitions: Fiction, Poetry and Non-Fiction
True Courage - Nelson Mini-Anthologies
Women of Peace: Nobel Peace Prize Winners
Non-print Resources
Canada Votes (video)
Glorious and Free (video)
Government in Canada (video)
Parliament Hill: An Interactive Tour (CD-ROM)
Internet Sites
Teachers are advised to check the bibliography for Internet site addresses that support this unit. As well, many general interest sites are listed in Social Studies: An Information Bulletin for the Renewed Middle Level Curricula (Grades 7-9), March 1999, pp. 19-20. Due to the unstable nature of Internet sites, teachers are advised to access Saskatchewan Education's Web site at http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/curr inst/social/socialsciences.html.
See pages 378-381 in this curriculum guide for information about locating and evaluating Internet sites.
Incorporating Current Events
Incorporating current events enhances students' understanding of the concepts under study, and extends their learning experiences by relating the events to real life and making them relevant. Sources for current event stories include newspapers, news magazines, daily and weekly television and radio newscasts and documentaries, and the Internet. Many Canadian daily newspapers are available on-line and are a reliable source of current events. Select articles and news items to support the objectives and concepts as often as possible, and encourage students to contribute also. See pages 346-350 in this curriculum guide for some current event activities.
Interdisciplinary Opportunities
This unit may be adapted for interdisciplinary study. See page 336 in this curriculum guide for information about developing interdisciplinary units of study. The following are some suggestions for connecting this unit to other subject areas: