Unit Planning Template

Overview:
This unit contains first grade civics lessons from four different Grade Level Content Expectations. Students will first explore
why we need rules, specifically in school. Next, they will learn the difference between people who use power with authority
and people who use power without authority. The last expectation for the students will be to determine fair and just ways to
make a decision or resolve a conflict. After this unit students will better understand how their actions affect other people and
why they need to choose them wisely.
Rationale:
The lessons in this unit teach fundamental skills that students will use throughout life. Students need to master these concepts
in order to work cooperatively, both in the classroom and outside of it.
GLCE (coding and
wording); Verb(s)
underlined; type of
learning: Knowledge,
Skill, Reasoning,
Product
Knowledge (K)

1-C1.0.1
Identify some reasons for rules in school (e.g., provide order, predictability, and safety)

Rule: a prescribed
guide for conduct or
action
Order: to bring about
order; regulate
Predictability: to be
able to foretell on the
basis of observation,

Students will
understand that we
need to have rules in
school so that we have
order, predictability,
and safety

Reasoning/thinking
Understand (U)

DO:
Demonstration of
Learning (DOL)
Given pictures of
students following
rules, students will
have to identify
whether that rule is in
place to provide: order,
predictability, or safety
by marking O, P,

Vocabulary

I Can

Rules
Order
Predictability
Safety

I can tell that our

school has rules to
provide order,
predictability, and
safety

experience, or
scientific reason
Safety: the condition of
being safe from
undergoing or causing
hurt, injury, or loss

or S, under the
picture

GLCE (coding and

wording) and Verb
underlined

1-C1.0.2
Give examples of the use of power with authority in school (e.g., principal, teacher or bus driver
enforcing school rules)

Knowledge (K)

Performance/skill
Understand (U)

DO:
Demonstration of
Learning (DOL)
Students will draw a
picture of a person
using their power with
authority in school

Vocabulary

I Can

Authority
Power
Rule

I can give examples of

people who use their
power to help us

Authority: the power

or right to direct or
control someone or
something
Power: possession of
control, authority, or
influence over others
Rule: a prescribed
guide for conduct or
action

Students will
understand that there
are certain people in
school who use power
with authority.

GLCE (coding and

wording) and Verb
underlined

1-C1.0.3
Give examples of the use of power without authority in school (e.g., types of bullying, taking cuts in
line)

Performance/skill
Knowledge (K)

Understand (U)

DO:
Demonstration of
Learning (DOL)
Students will draw a
picture of a person
using their power
without authority in
school

Authority: the power

or right to direct or
control someone or
something
Power: possession of
control, authority, or
influence over others
Rule: a prescribed
guide for conduct or
action

Students will
understand that there
are people in school
who use their power
without authority

GLCE (coding and

wording) and Verb
underlined

1-C2.0.1
Explain how decisions can be made or how conflicts might be resolved in fair and just ways (e.g.,
majority rules)

Knowledge (K)

Reasoning/thinking
Understand (U)

Fair: treating people in

a way that does not
favor some over others
Just: treating people in
a way that is

Students will
understand that there
are fair and just ways
in which they can
make decisions or

DO:
Demonstration of
Learning (DOL)
Students will draw a
picture of one fair way
to resolve a conflict

Vocabulary

I Can

Authority
Power
Rule

I can give examples of

ways in which people
use their power
without authority
(NMLC)

Vocabulary

I Can

Fair
Just
Majority
Conflict
Resolve

I can tell about fair and

just ways to make
decisions or resolve
conflicts

considered morally
right
Majority: a number of
votes that is more than
half of the total
number
Conflict: a difference
that prevents
agreement;
disagreement between
ideas, feelings, etc.
Resolve: to find an
answer or solution to
(something) : to settle
or solve (something)

resolve conflicts