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.

Being an American: Exploring The Ideals That Unite Us

Six core lesson plans with extension activities Understand the importance of the American experiment American HeroesCharacter Cards Declaration of Independence

Being An American: Exploring the Ideals that Unite Us Lesson Overview Quote Summary Objectives Materials List

Lesson Plan Background Warm-Up Activity Homework Extensions Handouts

Answer Key Founding Documents Suggested 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 nineteenthcentury foundational U.S. documents of historical and literary significance (including The Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and Lincolns 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

American Character
A fundamental belief and faith in selfgovernment. A distinct and unique culture shaped by people from every part of the globe.

If the character traits that unite us are more important than the issues that may divide us, what makes us American?
A shared history of struggle and success.

Being an American Americas Civic Values, Page 17

Americas Civic ValuesFocus Quotations

Public

virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics. ~John Adams John Adams, by
John Trumbull (1793)

If Virtue & Knowledge are diffused among the People, they will never be enslavd. This will be their great Security. ~Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams, by John Singleton Copley (1772)

Civic Values Highlighted in Lesson 4, p. 25

Being an American: Exploring the Values that Unite Us

Lesson 4, p. 25--Americas 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?

Civic Virtues
Activity II, p. 27 Civic Values and You Scenario Cards --Is there more to being virtuous citizen than being a good friend? Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. ~C.S. Lewis Primary Source Analysis, p. 43 - 52 Handouts D-H: analysis of 5 great speeches Handout I: analysis of provisions of the Constitution

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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