CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 14
Goal: Understand political systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
A. Understand and 14.A.4 Analyze how u The student will examine Reading and Discussion
explain basic principles local, state and contemporary issues that reflect active of articles related to
of the United States national governments government policy. Supreme Court Cases
government. serve the purposes u The student will identify new U.S.
for which they Supreme Court cases that deal with Mock Voting on Supreme
were created. equal protection and due process. Court Cases
u The student will analyze how public
policy issues are influenced by
government actions.
Revised 06/30/04
CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 14
Goal: Understand political systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
A. Understand and 14.A.5 Analyze ways u The student will describe how Debate and map growing
explain basic principles in which federalism changing interpretations of powers and issue of gay marriage
of the United States protects individual limitations of our constitution.
government. rights and promotes u The student will discuss the Timeline issue of war on
the common good relationship between local, state and terrorism, P.O.W.'s rights
and how at times has national government concerning Arguments
made it possible for majority/minority rights.
states to protect and Read and discuss articles
deny rights for related to Rights issues
certain groups.
Look at history of
representation through
ACLU
Revised 06/30/04
CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 14
Goal: Understand political systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
C. Understand 14.C.5 Analyze the u The student will evaluate media's Follow coverage of Election
election processes and the consequences of role in promoting or hampering the 2004 and campaign ads
responsibilities of participation and electoral process. lead-up
citizens. non-participation in u The student will describe the impact Pair with reaction para-
the electoral process of propaganda on the decision making graphs
(e.g., women's process.
suffrage, voter u The student will compare recent Develop charts of voter
registration, effects trends of gender voting records. returns and create
of media). associated worksheet
Read and discuss election
related articles
Revised 06/30/04
CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 14
Goal: Understand political systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
D. Understand the 14.D.4 Analyze u The student will evaluate mass media Comparative coverage
roles and influences of roles and influences (newspaper, radio, television, Internet) assignment of any major
individuals and interest of individuals, groups and how it reflects upon contemporary event
groups in the political and media in shaping issues.
systems of Illinois, the current debates on u The student will review the role of Watch and react to video
United States and other state and national special interest and lobbyists on recent related to lobbying of
nations. policies. legislation. national and local
u The student will discuss how recent government
events hinder or benefit the influence
of specific interest groups. Read and discuss articles
connected to special
interest groups
Revised 06/30/04
CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 14
Goal: Understand political systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
D. Understand the 14.D.5 Interpret a u The student will discuss how recent Read and discuss articles
roles and influences of variety of public events hinder or benefit individuals about new public policy
individuals and interest policies and issues and special interest groups. decisions
groups in the political from the perspec- u The student will examine editorial
systems of Illinois, the tives of different positions in print and electronic media Create a ficticous public
United States and other individuals and in terms of strength, accuracy and policy and defend it's
nations. groups. persuasive influence. benefit to certain groups
u The student will summarize the
actions of individuals and/or groups in "Town Hall" Meeting
influencing current public policy
changes.
Revised 06/30/04
CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 14
Goal: Understand political systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
E. Understand United 14.E.4 Analyze u The student will categorize past and International news assign-
States foreign policy as historical trends of contemporary US foreign policy that ment with map
it relates to other United States foreign has encouraged globalization.
nations and inter- policy (e.g., emer- u The student will evaluate current Iraq / War on terrorism
national issues. gence as a world foreign policy as an adaptation if Discuss articles
leaders - military, Post-cold war relations.
industrial, financial).
Revised 06/30/04
CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 14
Goal: Understand political systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
E. Understand United 14.E.5 Analyze u The student will discuss current U.N. activities
States foreign policy as relationships and U.S. activities in various World * Article Discussion
it relates to other tensions among organizations. * Group Assignment
nations and inter- members of the u The student will identify recent
national issues. international International disagreements and the Watch video related to
community. process of their resolution. Somalian Civil War
u The student will compare and contrast (or "Lost Boys" episode
U.S. and International community of Dateline)
perspectives of world political and
economic issues.
u The student will evaluate various
international community members
interpretation of and human rights.
Revised 06/30/04
CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 15
Goal: Understand economic systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
A. Understand how 15.A.4c Describe u The student will evaluate economic Data gathering and
different economic the relationship policies by how successfully they curb charting of unemployment
systems operate in the between consumer unemployment, keep economic costs to statistics
exchange, production, purchases and a minimum and keep prices stable.
distribution and businesses paying Read articles and discuss
consumption of goods for productive re- incidents of local "Shut-
and services. sources. downs"
15.A.4d Explain the u The student will analyze factors that Guest speaker: Local
effects of unemploy- lead to different unemployment rate businessman or city official
ment on the for various groups (e.g., different ethnic in charge of economic
economy. groups, income levels, gender, age and development
regions of country).
Revised 06/30/04
CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 15
Goal: Understand economic systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
A. Understand how 15.A.5b Analyze the u The student will examine trends New companies and pro-
different economic impact of economic national corporate business expansion. ducts. Article discussion.
systems operate in the growth.
exchange, production, Watch video "Merchants
distribution and of Cool"
consumption of goods
and services.
Revised 06/30/04
CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 15
Goal: Understand economic systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
B. Understand that 15.B.5a Analyze the u The student will examine advertising Advertising evaluation
scarcity necessitates impact of changes in as a reflection of cultural interests. Worksheet
choices by consumers. non-price determin- u The student will explain how Advertising visual
ants (e.g., changes in differing values influence purchase. Worksheet
consumer income, "Merchants of cool" Video
changes in tastes and
preferences) on
consumer demand.
Revised 06/30/04
CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 15
Goal: Understand economic systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
C. Understand that 15.C.4a Analyze the u The student will identify examples Random articles
scarcity necessitates impact of political of negative and positive externalities
choices by producers. actions and natural that result from the production on
phenomena (e.g., consumption of a product.
wars, legislation,
natural disaster) on
producers and
production decisions.
15.C.4b Explain the u The student will predict recent
importance of marketing trends and production as
research, develop- they relate cultural changes.
ment, invention,
technology and
entrepreneurship to
the United State
economy.
Revised 06/30/04
CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 15
Goal: Understand economic systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
D. Understand trade as 15.D.4a Explain the u The student will analyze the impact Tariff issues discussion
an exchange of goods meaning and impor- of United States imposed trade barriers and articles
or services. tance of "balance of on U.S. citizens and on the citizens of WTO meetings/protest
trade" and how trade trading partners. Video clips & charting
surpluses and defi- of "pro" and "con"
cits between nations
are determined. Cause/Effect work
related to gas prices and
15.D.4b Describe surrounding debate
the relationships
between the availa-
bility and price of a
nation's resources
and its comparative
advantage in relation
to other nations.
Revised 06/30/04
CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 15
Goal: Understand economic systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
D. Understand trade as 15.D.5b Analyze u The student will identify effects of See Benchmark 15.D.4a
an exchange of goods why trade barriers trade barriers and/or agreements on a & 4b
or services. and exchange rates global economy.
affect the flow of Analysis of internet sites
goods and services connected to global
among nations. trading
Frontline video on
globalization (telecom-
15.D.5c Explain how u The student will identify recent munications industry in
technology has developments in transportation, India)
affected trade in the communication, and manufacturing
areas of transporta- that has improved world trade.
tion, communication,
finance and manu-
facturing.
Revised 06/30/04
CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 18
Goal: Understand social systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
A. Compare character- 18.A.4 Analyze the u The student will review recent events Fads, language, etc. and
istics of culture as re- influence of cultural and how the reflect positive/negative associated controversy
flected in language, factors including aspects of a pluralistic society.
literature, the arts, customs, traditions, u The student will identify examples
traditons and language, media, of multicultural conflict and bonding in
institutions. art and architecture comtemporary local, state and
in developing plur- national events.
alistic societies.
Revised 06/30/04
CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 18
Goal: Understand social systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
A. Compare character- 18.A.5 Compare u The student will identify recent "Student-generated"
istics of culture as re- ways in which social cultural issues that are changing school rules activity
flected in language, systems are affected public institutions.
literature, the arts, by political, environ- u The student will explain how Reading and discussion
traditons and mental, economic cultural characteristics are manifested of related articles
institutions. and technological in political and economic systems.
changes. Debate separation of
church and state issues
Revised 06/30/04
CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 18
Goal: Understand social systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
B. Understand the roles 18.B.4 Analyze u The student will explain the benefits
and interactions of various forms of of conformity and consequences of
individuals and groups institutions (e.g., non-conformity as it relates to
in society. educational, military, contemporary controversies.
charitable, govern- u The student will relate local issues to
mental). the institutions involved in them.
u The student will will identify the role
of national, state and local organizations
in current trends.
u The student will compare and contrast
the function and perspective of various
institutions on contemporary issues.
Revised 06/30/04
CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 18
Goal: Understand social systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
B. Understand the roles 18.B.5 Use methods u The student will interpret available Newsweek "Grasping
and interactions of of social science surveys to conclude recent trends in Graphics" activities
individuals and groups inquiry (pose ques- our society.
in society. tions, collect and u The student will assess the accuracy USA Today surveys and
analyze data, make of mass media's interpretation and use graphs
and support conclu- of statistics.
sions with evidence,
report findings) to
study the develop-
ment and functions
of social systems and
report conclusions to
a larger audience.
Revised 06/30/04
CURRENT EVENTS
SOCIAL SCIENCE STATE GOAL 18
Goal: Understand social systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
LEARNING STANDARD BENCHMARK CURRENT EVENTS ACTIVITIES
C. Understand how 18.C.4a Analyze u The student will give examples of Internet search for
social systems form and major cultural ex- global communication and economic international business &
develop over time. changes of the past interaction. marketing
(e.g., Colombian u The student will identify positive
exchange, the Silk and negatives of technology on Almanac fact search
Road, the Crusades). globalization. and analysis
18.C.4b Analyze
major contemporary
cultural exchanges
as influenced by
worldwide commun-
ications.
Revised 06/30/04