The Social Studies Package – Government and the People is a three-week homeschool curriculum that explores how American citizens interact with their government and the roles of the three branches. This literature-based curriculum comes with all the necessary books included. While it's part of our year-long social studies program, it can also be completed on its own. For a more interdisciplinary approach, pair this unit with the literature study for The Whipping Boy.

This package includes one curriculum unit and two literature books.

Social Studies Unit - Government and the People: This three-week unit introduces students to civic engagement and government through hands-on activities. Kids will create a family flag, experience a no-rules day, and participate in voting exercises to understand the roles of citizens and leaders. They'll also have the chance to interview a local official, join a mock debate, and manage a community budget, learning valuable lessons in active citizenship, respect for authority, and community involvement.

How the US Government Works by Syl Sobel: This book breaks down how the federal system functions today, over two centuries after the Constitution was written. Students will explore the roles of the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches, including the Senate, House of Representatives, President, Cabinet, and U.S. Supreme Court. They'll also learn how officials are elected or appointed and how government agencies serve the public. The book presents these complex processes in a way that's engaging and easy for young readers to understand.

In a simple rhyme, the book One Vote, Two Votes, I Vote, You Vote by Bonnie Worth, uses the Cat in the Hat to introduce the basic principles of democracy, how political parties are formed, and why Election Day falls in early November. This engaging read encourages students to reflect on their role as citizens and the importance of voting.

This item includes free online access to Beyond the Page Online for 18 months. This includes Learning Gates, Portfolio and any curriculum or student activity pages that you have purchased.