Civics

**Sample: Government ** - a political group that is responsible for the direction and supervision of public affairs. //One way of looking at it.//
 * CIVICS BENCHMARK TERMS & DEFINITIONS Standard 1: K-8 **


 * 1. Leader - a person who leads, directs, or is in charge of something. **


 * 2. Election - an act or process of electing or making a choice. **


 * 3. Majority - The greater number or part; a number more than half of the total. **


 * 4. Represent - to act the part or take the ****role of or for someone. **


 * 5. Interests - rights, titles, or legal shares in something. **


 * 6. Authority - the right to control or direct the actions of others. The right comes from law, morality, custom, or consent. **


 * 7. Democracy - Form of government in which political control is exercised by all the people, either directly or through their elected representatives. **


 * 8. Appoint - to name officially to a position. **


 * 9. Familial - relating to, or suggestive of a family. **


 * 10. Respect - to consider worthy of high regard, esteem, or admiration. **


 * 11. Government – the Institutions and procedures through which a territory (country, state, city, town) and its people are ruled. **


 * 12. Institution (political) - organizations such as Congress, the presidency, and the court system that play a significant role in the making, carrying out, and enforcing laws and managing conflicts about them. **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">13. Structure - the way that something (e.g. government) is arranged or organized. **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">14. Constitution - the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people. **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">15. Executive - that branch of the government that is responsible for carrying out the laws. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">16. Legislative - that branch of government that makes the laws. **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">17. Judicial - that branch of government that interprets the laws. **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">18. Power - the ability to control or direct someone or something. **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">19. Levy - to impose or collect by legal authority. **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">20. Foreign policy - the policy of a ****<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">country in its relations with other countries. **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">21 Functions - the acts that something (e.g. government) is intended to perform. **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">22. Federal - refers to the national or ****<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">central government of the United States. **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">23. Structures - the ways that things (e.g. government) are arranged or organized. **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">24. Employ - to use to do work. **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">CIVICS BENCHMARK TERMS & DEFINITIONS Standard 2: K-8 **

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">25. Politics - the art or science of government.

26. Opinion - a belief that is stronger than an impression but less strong than positive knowledge.

27. Property - something that is owned or possessed.

28. Foundation - an underlying base or support.

29. Civil - characterized by courtesy and politeness.

30. Principle - a fundamental rule, law, doctrine, or assumption.

31. Due Process – is the right of every citizen and the requirement that government act fairly in accordance with fair laws.

32. Ideal - a standard of perfection, beauty, or excellence. An ultimate object or aim of endeavor.

33. Liberty - the quality or state of being free.

34. Civic responsibility - something that a citizen ought to do or not do.

35. Personal civility - acting or expressing one's self politely or in a manner that is respectful of others.

36. Disregard - to pay no attention to; to treat as unworthy.

37. Accorded - granted or given as appropriate, due, or earned.

38. Minorities - groups or individuals in a population that are different from those who are in control and that are often subjected to different treatment.

39. Constitution - the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">CIVICS BENCHMARK TERMS & DEFINITIONS Standard 3: K-8 **

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">40. Citizenship - Status of being a member of a state, one who owes allegiance to the government and is entitled to its protection to political rights.

41. Citizen - a member of a political society who therefore owes allegiance to, and is entitled to, protection by and from the government.

42. Responsibility - is a duty i.e. something that a person is supposed or ought to do on the bases of moral or legal grounds. Right - something that a person has a just claim to.

43. Privilege - a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor.

44. Right(s) - something or things that a person has a just claim to.

45. Enumerated - to list in a numbered fashion.

46. Bill of Rights - the first ten Amendments to the Constitution that list the fundamental rights of United States citizens.

47. Protections - things that shield or cover someone or something from injury or destruction.

48. Fundamental - Something that is basic, essential, or of major significance.

49. Civil rights - the rights of a citizen. Political - of or relating to government.

50. Property - something that is owned or possessed.

51. Secure - to make safe.

52. Public service - providing something to members of a community.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">CIVICS BENCHMARK TERMS & DEFINITIONS Standard 4: K-8 **

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">53. Participation - taking part in something

54. Group - two or more individuals gathered together or having a unifying relationship.

55. Objective - something toward which effort is directed; a goal or what one aims to do.

56. Cooperate - to work with others.

57. Responsibility - is a duty i.e. something that a person is supposed or ought to do on the bases of moral or legal grounds.

58. Formal methods - those that follow established rules, laws, or customs.

59. Informal methods - those that are done casually or not according to established rules, laws, or customs.

60. Mechanisms - processes or techniques that are used to accomplish a goal or get something done. Sample Definition: Government - a political group that is responsible for the direction and supervision of public affairs. 1. Leader - a person who rules or guides or inspires others. 2. Election - a vote to select the winner of a position or political office. 3. Majority - (elections) more than half of the votes. Generally majority rule means that in cases of disagreement within a group the choice of the majority shall be decisive. 4. Represent - to act the part or take the role of or for someone. 5. Interests - (law) a right or legal share of something. 6. Authority - the power or right to give orders or make decisions. The right comes from law, morality, custom, or consent. 7. Democracy - Form of government in which political control is exercised by all the people, either directly or through their elected representatives. 8. Appoint - to name officially to a position. 9. Familial - relating to, or suggestive of a family. A characteristic or disorder which tends to run in families. 10. Respect - to consider worthy of high regard or admiration. 11. Government – the Institutions and procedures through which a territory (country, state, city, town) and its people are ruled. 12. Institution (political) - organizations such as Congress, the presidency, and the court system that play a significant role in the making, carrying out, and enforcing laws and managing conflicts about them. 13. Structure - the way that something (e.g. government) is arranged or organized. 14. Constitution - the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people. 15. Executive - that branch of the government that is responsible for carrying out the laws. 16. Legislative - that branch of government that makes the laws. 17. Judicial - that branch of government that interprets the laws. 18.Power - the ability to control or direct someone or something. 19. Levy - to impose or collect by legal authority. 20. Foreign policy - the policy of a country in its relations with other countries. 21 Functions - the acts that something (e.g. government) is intended to perform. 22. Federal - refers to the national or central government of the United States. 23. Structures - the ways that things (e.g. government) are arranged or organized. 24. Employ - to use to do work. ** CIVICS BENCHMARK TERMS & DEFINITIONS Standard 2: K-8 ** 25. Politics - the art or science of government. 26. Opinion - a belief that is stronger than an impression but less strong than positive knowledge. 27. Property - something that is owned or possessed. 28. Foundation - an underlying base or support. 29. Civil - characterized by courtesy and politeness. 30. Principle - a fundamental rule, law, doctrine, or assumption. 31. Due Process – is the right of every citizen and the requirement that government act fairly in accordance with fair laws. 32. Ideal - a standard of perfection, beauty, or excellence. An ultimate object or aim of endeavor. 33. Liberty - the quality or state of being free. 34. Civic responsibility - something that a citizen ought to do or not do. 35. Personal civility - acting or expressing one's self politely or in a manner that is respectful of others. 36. Disregard - to pay no attention to; to treat as unworthy. 37. Accorded - granted or given as appropriate, due, or earned. 38. Minorities - groups or individuals in a population that are different from those who are in control and that are often subjected to different treatment. 39. Constitution - the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people. ** CIVICS BENCHMARK TERMS & DEFINITIONS Standard 3: K-8 ** 40. Citizenship - Status of being a member of a state, one who owes allegiance to the government and is entitled to its protection to political rights. 41. Citizen - a member of a political society who therefore owes allegiance to, and is entitled to, protection by and from the government. 42. Responsibility - is a duty i.e. something that a person is supposed or ought to do on the bases of moral or legal grounds. Right - something that a person has a just claim to. 43. Privilege - a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor. 44. Right(s) - something or things that a person has a just claim to. 45. Enumerated - to list in a numbered fashion. 46. Bill of Rights - the first ten Amendments to the Constitution that list the fundamental rights of United States citizens. 47. Protections - things that shield or cover someone or something from injury or destruction. 48. Fundamental - Something that is basic, essential, or of major significance. 49. Civil rights - the rights of a citizen. Political - of or relating to government. 50. Property - something that is owned or possessed. 51. Secure - to make safe. 52. Public service - providing something to members of a community. ** CIVICS BENCHMARK TERMS & DEFINITIONS Standard 4: K-8 ** 53. Participation - taking part in something 54. Group - two or more individuals gathered together or having a unifying relationship. 55. Objective - something toward which effort is directed; a goal or what one aims to do. 56. Cooperate - to work with others. 57. Responsibility - is a duty i.e. something that a person is supposed or ought to do on the bases of moral or legal grounds. 58. Formal methods - those that follow established rules, laws, or customs. 59. Informal methods - those that are done casually or not according to established rules, laws, or customs. 60. Mechanisms - processes or techniques that are used to accomplish a goal or get something done.