Scope and Sequence

This one-page map gives parents and educators a quick-reference overview of the entire 18-week Civic Literacy for Kids curriculum. Use it to see what comes next, how skills build on each other, and which mental models each lesson reinforces.

---

Curriculum at a Glance

Week	Title	Unit	Key Concepts	Skills Practiced	Mental Models Reinforced
1	Rules We Already Follow	1 — The Logic of Cooperation	Rules vs. laws; why groups need agreements	Observing, categorizing, discussion	① Rules Exist for Reasons
2	The Island Challenge	1 — The Logic of Cooperation	Scarcity, cooperation, self-governance	Creative problem-solving, negotiation	① Rules Exist for Reasons · ② Rights Come with Responsibilities
3	From Families to Nations	1 — The Logic of Cooperation	Levels of government; how communities scale	Comparing, sequencing, mapping	① Rules Exist for Reasons · ③ Power Flows from the People
4	The Social Contract	1 — The Logic of Cooperation	Consent of the governed; mutual obligation	Analyzing, persuasive speaking	② Rights Come with Responsibilities · ③ Power Flows from the People
5	The Constitution	2 — The Architecture of Government	Purpose of a constitution; the Preamble's goals	Close reading, paraphrasing	③ Power Flows from the People · ④ Shared Power Prevents Abuse
6	Three Branches, One Government	2 — The Architecture of Government	Legislative, executive, judicial roles	Diagramming, summarizing	④ Shared Power Prevents Abuse
7	How a Law Is Made	2 — The Architecture of Government	Bill-to-law process; committee work	Sequencing, role-playing	③ Power Flows from the People · ④ Shared Power Prevents Abuse
8	Checks and Balances	2 — The Architecture of Government	Veto, override, judicial review	Cause-and-effect analysis, debate	④ Shared Power Prevents Abuse
9	Elections and Voting	2 — The Architecture of Government	Voting rights; campaigns; informed choice	Evaluating sources, decision-making	③ Power Flows from the People · ⑤ Participation Keeps Communities Healthy
10	Your Town, Your Rules	3 — Your Local Government	City councils, mayors, ordinances	Interviewing, note-taking	③ Power Flows from the People · ⑤ Participation Keeps Communities Healthy
11	Schools, Libraries, and Public Services	3 — Your Local Government	Taxes, budgets, public goods	Budgeting, prioritizing	② Rights Come with Responsibilities · ⑤ Participation Keeps Communities Healthy
12	Seeing Government in Action	3 — Your Local Government	Field observation; connecting lessons to real life	Observing, reflecting, journaling	① – ⑤ (all models reviewed)
13	Diplomacy and Trade (Why Countries Talk)	4 — The Global Community	Treaties, trade, ambassadors	Comparing perspectives, mapping	② Rights Come with Responsibilities · ④ Shared Power Prevents Abuse
14	Solving Problems Across Borders	4 — The Global Community	Climate, health, shared challenges; the UN	Collaborative problem-solving, research	④ Shared Power Prevents Abuse · ⑤ Participation Keeps Communities Healthy
15	Spotting Problems Worth Solving	5 — The Community Patch	Community needs; defining a problem statement	Observing, questioning, empathy	⑤ Participation Keeps Communities Healthy
16	Research and Plan	5 — The Community Patch	Gathering evidence; planning an action step	Research, organizing, goal-setting	② Rights Come with Responsibilities · ⑤ Participation Keeps Communities Healthy
17	Build Your Case	5 — The Community Patch	Persuasion; supporting claims with evidence	Persuasive writing, public speaking	③ Power Flows from the People · ⑤ Participation Keeps Communities Healthy
18	Citizen Showcase	5 — The Community Patch	Presenting solutions; celebrating civic action	Presenting, giving and receiving feedback	① – ⑤ (all models applied)
B1	Understanding Courts	Bonus	Court structure; rights of the accused	Vocabulary building, sequencing	① Rules Exist for Reasons · ④ Shared Power Prevents Abuse
B2	The Mock Trial	Bonus	Evidence, arguments, due process	Role-playing, critical thinking, debate	② Rights Come with Responsibilities · ④ Shared Power Prevents Abuse

---

Five Mental Models

These mental models are woven throughout every unit so learners revisit and deepen them over time.

1. Rules Exist for Reasons — Laws and rules are tools communities create to solve real problems.
2. Rights Come with Responsibilities — Every right we enjoy asks something of us in return.
3. Power Flows from the People — In a democracy, authority starts with the consent of the governed.
4. Shared Power Prevents Abuse — Dividing power across branches and levels keeps any one group from dominating.
5. Participation Keeps Communities Healthy — Democracy works best when people show up, speak up, and stay informed.

---

How Understanding Builds

Weeks 1–4          Weeks 5–9              Weeks 10–12
Foundations    ──▶  Real Systems      ──▶  Local Community
Rules, agreements,  U.S. Constitution,     Town government,
social contracts    branches, elections    public services

        Weeks 13–14             Weeks 15–18
   ──▶  Global Connections ──▶  Civic Action Project
        Diplomacy, trade,       Identify a problem,
        shared challenges       build and present a solution

Phase	Weeks	What Learners Do	Why It Matters
Build Foundations	1–4	Discover why rules exist and how groups agree to live together	Gives every later topic a "why" anchor
Apply to Real Systems	5–9	Explore the Constitution, three branches, lawmaking, and elections	Turns abstract ideas into concrete U.S. government knowledge
Connect to Local Community	10–12	Investigate their own town's government and public services	Makes civic life tangible and personal
Expand to Global	13–14	See how countries cooperate on diplomacy, trade, and shared problems	Broadens perspective beyond national borders
Put It All into Action	15–18	Run a full civic action project from problem to public presentation	Proves that kids can be citizens right now