Kindergarten+Civics

 Key Vocabulary Essential Question(s) Enduring Understandings Unit Objectives Beginning the Unit As the Unit Continues Toward the End of the Unit ||
 * Suggested Materials

Suggested timeframe: September/October and continue throughout the year** __**Beginning the Unit**__ Teachers can begin the year with a discussion about the Kids Code in each school and build a set of classroom expectations/rules. Teachers can then continue to diaglogue of problem solving, conflict resolution during both formal lessons and "teachable moments." We believe the formal teaching of the enduring understandings can take place during September and October, but will most likely continue throughout the year, as the necessity arises in kindergarten**.**
 * __Civics and Government:__
 * __ Essential Questions: __**
 * What does it mean to be a good citizen in the classroom and school communities?
 * How can we solve problems peacefully in the classroom and school communities?
 * How do my actions affect the classroom and school communities?
 * __ Enduring Understandings: __**
 * Students will understand that rules help keep a community organized and safe.
 * Students will understand why it is important to follow the rules, respect others and be cooperative within a group.
 * __ Unit Objectives: __**
 * By creating and following rules in the classroom and school, students will begin to recognize that all groups have rules and will understand the reasons for those rules.
 * Students will begin to identify different types of group situations, recognize the appropriate rules and will begin to understand how their actions affect the group.
 * __Suggested Materials__**

__**Launching a unit**__ Engage students in a dialogue: "Just like there are rules at home and rules in our town, we need to have rules in the classroom so everyone can stay safe, happy and learning. Let's make a list of the rules we would like in our classroom. What do you think the class rules should be and why?"


 * __Mini-lesson ideas/suggestions__**
 * Read books about kindergarten expectations and manners in school.
 * Create class rules/guidelines, have the children sign it and post in the classroom.
 * Role play real world conflict situations and teach the students how to solve problems peacefully.
 * Highlight and celebrate good deeds and manners.
 * Celebrate when you see students independently solving their conflicts.
 * Launch the S.T.A.R. program and get the children excited about this home/school reading program