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January 7, 2012

Homeschooling. . . .K-2 civics

Pennsylvania has pretty tough requirements for homeschooling families.  Depending on how you interpret PA Homeschooling Law, you could read it that students are expected to cover Civics every year during the elementary years.


Because I am an over-achiever, I take the requirements literally and incorporate a Civics unit into my lesson planning every year. 


For Early Elementary Students, Ben's Guide to U.S. Government is an excellent resource for FREE printables!




Here's a sample of what a K-2 unit may look like when I write it for my kids.....I would do 1-2 lessons per week. (All the words that are colored are direct links to the activities or crafts.)




Week #1:  

Read about the flag and color a picture of the flag.



On the back of the flag, have students write what the 3 colors of the flag represent.



Read about the liberty bell and complete and color the liberty bell dot-to-dot. 


You can also make-you-own liberty bell with a Styrofoam cup and pipe cleaners. 




Week #2:


Memorize the Pledge of Allegiance.  Because homeschoolers don't have "morning announcements" and rise for the pledge, we often forget to memorize the Pledge.


Make a Pledge of Allegiance bookmark.




Week #3:


Read about the Seal of the United States.




Color in the worksheet using the appropriate colors and on the back, explain 5-7 symbolic representations found in the seal.


Obverse Side
Reverse Side
Bald Eagle craft




Week #4-6:


Learn the Three Branches of Government.






Here is a site that I have used before that has really fun online games to play....these are directly related to the 3 branches of government.


I always end the unit by having my kids make a poster illustrating the 3 branches.  You can get as creative as you'd like....even using popsicle sticks to build the "branches."




My passion truly is teaching, so if you have enjoyed this lesson plan, let 
me know....I'd love to share more of what we do!



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7 comments:

  1. Those are some great lessons. My kids are still young i'd be interested on any tips you'd have for preparing for Kindergarden.

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  2. I think I better sit in on your class because I don't know some if this stuff!

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  3. This would be great just for a family lesson. We do a "family night" every Monday night. We do religious instruction some nights, sometimes it is a game or outing. Taking some of this lesson would be great for this, especially in a presidential election year. Thank you for sharing! (and for the record, I love teaching, I teach the teenagers in Sunday School), but I love the teachers even more that teach my kids.......You are so amazing! I would be toast after one day of homeschooling.

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  4. great site
    but i have to disagree

    the law does not state
    that any subject must be taught
    every year

    of course
    you can assume that the basics should be
    but we do not do civics every year
    nor does our local school district

    alison

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  5. Thanks for posting the link - my son is a public high school, but I think this will be useful for a class he is taking.

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  6. Great resources! Here from the Hop.

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