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Requirements January 1984 until January 2005

1. After reading, discuss with your counselor the following documents:

(a) Declaration of Independence
(b) Preamble to the Constitution
(c) Constitution
(d) Bill of Rights
(e) Amendments to the Constitution

2. Name the three branches of government and explain their functions. Explain the checks and balances on each branch of government.

3. Outline the relationships between state and federal governments.

4. Do ONE of the following:

(a) Visit the National Capitol.
(b) Visit your state capitol.
(c) Tour a federal installation.
Explain your experiences to your counselor.

5. Name your two senators and the congressman from your congressional district. Write a letter to one of these elected officials on a national issue sharing your view with him or her. Show your letter and any response to your counselor.

6. What are five important functions of your national government? Explain how these functions affect your family and local community.

7. Discuss the main ways by which our federal government is financed.

Requirements January 2005 until Current

1. Explain what citizenship in the nation means and what it takes to be a good citizen of this country. Discuss the rights, duties, and obligations of a responsible and active American citizen.

2. Do TWO of the following:

(a) Visit a place that is listed as a National Historical Landmark or that in on the National Register of Historic Places. Tell your counselor what you learned about the landmark or site and what you found interesting about it.
(b) Tour your state capital building or the U.S. Capital. Tell your counselor what you learned about the capital, its function, and the history.
(c) Tour a federal facility. Explain to your counselor what you saw there and what you learned about its function in the local community and how it serves this nation.
(d) Choose a national monument that interests you. Using books, brochures, the Internet (with your parent’s permission), and other resources, find out more about the monument. Tell your counselor what you learned, and explain why the monument is important to this country’s citizens.

3. Watch the national evening news five days in a row OR read the front page of a major daily newspaper five days in a row. Discuss the national issues you learned about with your counselor. Choose one of the issues and explain how it affects you and your family.

4. Discuss each of the following documents with your counselor. Tell your counselor how you feel life in the United States might be different without each one.

(a) Declaration of Independence
(b) Preamble to the Constitution
(c) The Constitution
(d) Bill of Rights
(e) Amendments to the Constitution

5. List the six functions of government as noted in the preamble to the Constitution. Discuss with your counselor how these functions affect your family and local community.

6. With your counselor’s approval, choose a speech of national historical importance. Find out about the author, and tell your counselor about the person who gave the speech. Explain the importance of the speech at the time it was given, and tell how it applies to American citizens today. Choose a sentence ot two from the speech that has significant meaning to you, and tell your counselor why.

7. Name the three branches of our federal government and explain to your counselor their function. Explain how citizens are involved in each branch. For each branch of government, explain the importance of the system of checks and balances.

8. Name your two senators and the member of Congress from your congressional district. Write a letter about a national issue and send it to one of these elected officials, sharing your view with him or her. Show your letter and any response you receive to your counselor.