EL Civics #40
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20142014-2014
2015-2016
Student Guide
El Civics # 40 Important People and Events in
American History
Advanced
Teacher’s Name: ___________________
Student’s Name: ___________________
FALL 2015
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IMPORTANT PEOPLE AND EVENTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
America’s First People .......................................................................... pages 2-6
The American Colonists: Life in a New World ......................... pages 7-12
America’s Fight for Independence ................................................. pages 13-18
The U.S. Constitution.............................................................................. pages 19-24
Practice for the EL Civics Assessment:
Task 1: Answer questions about American History ..... pages 25, 26
Task 2: Write dictation sentences from the lessons ..... pages 27, 28
Task 3: Give a short oral report about one of the lessons ……pages 29-31
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EL Civics Objective #40
Lesson 1
Important People and Events in American History:
Native Americans
“America’s First People”
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America’s First People
Before You Read: Vocabulary Preview
Listen and repeat as your teacher reads the following list of words/expressions.
Discuss the meaning of any new words before you begin reading.
migrate
search
indigenous
tribe
adapt
available
natural resources
tools
crops
knowledge
skill
environment
Thousands of years ago, Asia and North America were
connected by ice. This ice formed a kind of “land bridge” which
allowed people from Asia to migrate to North and South
America. People from Asia walked across the ice to live in
these new areas because they were searching for food.
These people, called Native Americans, were the first people to
live in North America. They are the indigenous people of our
country. Native Americans lived in what is now the U.S. for
many generations, possibly up to 10,000 years, before the
Europeans first set foot on American soil.
A “land bridge” formed by ice once
connected Asia with the North and
South American continents.
Native Americans migrated to all regions of North America and formed many different groups, or tribes.
Some of these tribes included the Cherokee, the Apache, the Navajo, and the
Lakota. Native Americans adapted very well to their
particular regions of the continent. They learned how
to make good use of all the natural resources
available to them. Native Americans in different parts
of the United States spoke different languages; they
also built different types of houses, wore different kinds of clothes, planted and
ate different foods, and had different religions. Although there were some
differences between tribes, some important cultural characteristics connected all
Native Americans.
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All Native Americans believed in respecting nature and the land around them. They used the land for
its plants, animals, and natural resources, but they also took good care of their “Mother Earth.”
All Native
American tribes made their own tools, which they used for fishing, hunting, and farming.
Tools were made from stones and animal bones; for example, knives were made from stones,
instead of metal, as they are today. Indigenous Americans
also used bows and arrows for hunting; they did not have
guns.
In addition to hunting and fishing, these people
learned how to grow crops in their regions. They grew crops such as corn,
tomatoes, and tobacco, depending on the area. Native Americans built their
homes from whatever materials were available in their surroundings. For example, homes in
the American Great Plains, the middle region of North America, were called tepees and were
made from the skins of buffalos.
Another similarity that connected all Native American tribes was their great
knowledge of how to use special plants for natural medicines.
Native Americans
learned about the natural environment around them, and they discovered that certain
plants could be used to help sick people get well. Years later, they would share this
knowledge, and their other skills, with the colonists that came to the U.S. from
Europe.
Finally, America’s “First People” had a great love for art, songs, dancing, and
telling stories. Stories were passed down orally from generation to generation; this was
how young children learned about their people’s history. Storytelling was so important in
Native American culture that story tellers were often chosen at a very early age and
learned essential stories to tell over and over again to others in the tribe.
There are many Native Americans in the United States today. They continue to enjoy the songs,
dances, art, and stories of their culture. Native Americans are proud people, and they are especially proud that
they were the first people to build our country. They are proud to call themselves the “First Americans.”
Use your cell
phone to listen
to the reading
from pages 3
and 4.
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Vocabulary Practice
Work with a partner. Decide which vocabulary word/expression from the reading best
completes each sentence. Note: you may need to change the endings on some words.
indigenous
tribe
crops
adapt
knowledge
natural resources
skill
1. Native Americans had a lot of __________________________ about special plants .They knew
how to use them for medicine.
2. It takes time to __________________________ to a new country or culture.
3. __________________________ are things like the land, water, trees, plants, and minerals. Native
Americans learned how to use these things to survive.
4. Native Americans are called the __________________________ people of our country because
they were the first people to live here.
5. Native Americans learned how to plant __________________________, like tomatoes and corn.
6. America’s “First People” had many __________________________; for example, they were good
at farming, hunting, planting fruits and vegetables, and making tools.
7. There were many different Native American __________________________; although there were
differences between the specific groups, some important cultural characteristics connected all
Native Americans.
Comprehension Questions
Answer the questions.
1. Where did the Native Americans come from and how did they get to North America?
2. What knowledge and/or skills did Native Americans have?
3. What are some differences between tribes in different regions? What similarities did
Native Americans share?
4. How do Native Americans today continue to preserve their culture?
5. Why are Native Americans important to our country’s history?
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Speaking Practice
Work with a partner. Partner A will ask Partner B the questions below. Partner B will cover
the answers and try to answer each question. Then, switch roles.
Questions
Answers
1. Who lived in America before the Europeans
arrived?
1. The Native Americans
2. How did the Native Americans get to the North
and South American continents?
2. They walked across the ice that formed a land bridge
between Asia and the Americas.
3. What is a specific group of Native Americans
called?
3. A tribe
4. What are some important skills or knowledge that
Native Americans had?
4. (Answers may vary):
-They knew how to hunt, farm, fish, and make tools.
5. Name one Native American tribe in the United
States.
-They built their homes from materials available in their
surroundings.
-They had knowledge about special plants, which they
used for natural medicines.
5. (Answers may vary and may include):
-Cherokee
-Apache
-Navajo
-Lakota
Dictation Practice
Listen as your teacher dictates five sentences about the Native American people. Think about spelling,
grammar, and punctuation while you write.
1. ______________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________________________
Now compare your sentences with a partner and try
to make corrections on your paper. When you are
finished, you will review the sentences together as a
class.
How do you spell the word ______?
What does this word mean?
What did you write here?
Use the phrases on your right as you work.
I didn’t understand this word / this part.
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EL Civics Objective #40
Lesson 2
Important People and Events in American History:
The American Colonists
“The American Colonists: In Search of a New
World”
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The American Colonists: In Search of a New World
Before You Read: Vocabulary Preview
Listen and repeat as your teacher reads the following list of words/expressions.
Discuss the meaning of any new words before you begin reading.
capture
colony
journey
mighty
fail
unfamiliar
grateful
voyage
harvest
European settlers first began heading west across the Atlantic
Ocean to America in the late 16th century. Over the next several hundred
years, Europeans would make the difficult journey west for various
reasons. Some of them came to America because they wanted to get
rich. These people had dreams of finding gold or other treasures on the
American continent. Other Europeans came because they wanted
religious freedom—freedom that they didn’t have in their own countries.
Others were workers who came to work in the fields and houses in the new colonies. Finally, some Europeans
came to America simply because they thought they could have a better life in “a new world.” No matter what
the reason, anyone who decided to move to America from Europe during this period of time faced a long and
difficult voyage, by ship, across the mighty sea.
In 1585, a small group of English settlers came to try to live in America, but their colony failed. In
1607, another small group of settlers, sent by King James I of England, came to America. They called this
settlement ‘Jamestown,’ named after King James I. Jamestown is known as the first settlement in the new
American colony of Virginia. These early settlers, also called colonists, came to America because they were
looking for gold. When they discovered that there was no gold in Virginia, they knew they would have to find
another way to support themselves. These first colonists faced many difficulties and
hardships, and many of them became ill or died in the first years of the colony.
Tobacco fields in
Jamestown, Virginia.
Soon, more colonists began to arrive from England, and over time they were able
to plant and sell crops, such as tobacco; build homes and businesses, and communities.
Over time, more people continued to come to Virginia and to other areas in America,
where they established more colonies and settlements. It was around this time that the
system of “indentured servitude” and slavery began in America. Indentured servants
were people who came to America and worked for a period of time in exchange for their
transportation costs across the ocean, as well as food and housing. Slaves were people
captured and forced to come to America. They were sent to America from Africa, and then bought and sold by
the colonists to work on farms and in houses.
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Another group of colonists, called the Pilgrims, decided to make the difficult journey west to America in
1620. They left their homeland of England because there, they were forced to pray in the Church of England,
the king’s church. The Pilgrims wanted to be free to practice their own religion, and they believed they could
do this if they started a new life in America.
A group of 102 Pilgrims sailed to America in the fall of 1620.
It took their ship, the Mayflower, 66 days to reach the East Coast of
North America. The trip was long, the weather was rainy and cold,
and many Pilgrims became sick. The Mayflower arrived in
Plymouth, Massachusetts in November. It was almost winter and
the weather was getting colder each day. The Pilgrims were not
able to plant crops at this time, so there was very little food to eat.
In addition, they didn’t have time to build houses, and hunting was
difficult because their new surroundings were so unfamiliar. Many Pilgrims again became ill and many of
them died. By the end of their first winter in Plymouth, 45 of the 102 Pilgrims who had sailed on the Mayflower
to the new world had died.
In the spring of 1621, the Pilgrims’ luck improved. They met the Native Americans who lived in the
forests near Plymouth. The Pilgrims signed a peace agreement with the leader of a local Native American
tribe, and the two groups lived together peacefully. The Native Americans shared their knowledge of the land
with the Pilgrims. They taught them how to hunt, fish, and gave them advice about which crops should be
planted. One year after the Mayflower had arrived in America, the Pilgrims had built a small community, which
included some houses and their own church. They had also learned how to survive in their new land. The
community of Plymouth made Massachusetts the second official colony in
America.
In November of 1621, the Native Americans helped the Pilgrims harvest
the crops they had planted in the spring. They all enjoyed a special three-day
celebration. The Pilgrims were thankful for their survival and grateful to the
Native Americans for their help during the past year. This was the Pilgrims’ first
Thanksgiving in their new land and the beginning of a growing migration of
Europeans to America. By 1732, there were 13 colonies settled in America.
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Vocabulary Practice
Work with a partner. Decide which vocabulary word/expression from the reading best completes each
sentence. Note: you may need to change the endings on some words.
journey / voyage
unfamiliar
mighty
harvest
fail
colony
grateful
1. Some Europeans went to America and tried to start a new community there. However they were not
successful. In other words, they __________________________.
2. The __________________________ winds of the storm knocked over several trees and caused damage to
many houses.
3. We planted a variety of crops in the spring, and when they were ready to be eaten, we
__________________________ them.
4. Hundreds of years ago, people had to travel far distances by ship, which could take several months.
Crossing the ocean was a long and difficult __________________________.
5. When you first arrive in a new country, everything is strange and __________________________.
6. We should all be __________________________ for the good things we have in our lives, such as our
family, our friends, and our health.
7. Europeans came to America and established many __________________________.
Comprehension Questions
Answer the questions.
1. Where did the colonists come from?
2. Why did the colonists decide to leave their homeland and come to America?
3. What was the trip on the Mayflower like?
4. What difficulties or problems did the Pilgrims confront when they first arrived in America?
5. What can we learn from the colonists or from their experiences in America?
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Map Practice: The Original 13 Colonies
Work with a partner. Discuss the questions below and use the map to help you find the answers.
1. The original 13 colonies were located on the _______ coast of America.
a. north
b. south
c. east
d. west
2. Pennsylvania is located _______ of Georgia.
a. north
b. south
d. west
c. east
3. Which of the following colonies was NOT on the coast? _________________
a. Rhode Island
b. North Carolina
c. Pennsylvania
d. Virginia
4. Which colony was located directly west of Rhode Island? _____________________________
5. Write the names of the original colonies in alphabetical order.
*Note- during the time of the colonies, both Massachusetts and Maine were part of Massachusetts.
The 13 Colonies:
1: __________________________
2: ____________________________
3:____________________________
4:____________________________
5:____________________________
6:____________________________
7:____________________________
8:____________________________
9:____________________________
10:___________________________
11:___________________________
12:___________________________
13:___________________________
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Oral Practice
Work with a partner. Partner A will ask Partner B the questions below. Partner B will close the Student Guide
and answer the questions. Then, switch roles.
Questions
Answers
1. There were 13 original states or
colonies in America. Name three.
1. (Answers may vary):
-Connecticut
-Massachusetts
-Delaware
-New Hampshire
-Georgia
-New Jersey
-Maryland
-New York
2. What is one reason the colonists
came to America?
2. (Answers may vary):
-freedom
-religious freedom / to practice their own religion
-economic opportunity / to find work
3. The Atlantic Ocean
3. What ocean is on the East Coast of
the United States?
4. What important national holiday
began as a celebration between the
colonists and the Native Americans?
5. Who helped the Pilgrims survive?
-North Carolina
-Pennsylvania
-Rhode Island
-South Carolina
-Virginia
4. Thanksgiving
5. The Native Americans helped the Pilgrims.
Dictation Practice
Listen as your teacher dictates five sentences about the American colonists. Think about spelling,
grammar, and punctuation while you write.
1. ______________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________________________
Now compare your sentences with a partner and try
to make corrections on your paper. When you are
finished, you will review the sentences together as a
class.
How do you spell the word ______?
What does this word mean?
What did you write here?
Use the phrases on your right as you work.
I didn’t understand this word / this part.
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EL Civics Objective #40
Lesson 3
Important People and Events in American History:
The Revolutionary War
“America’s Fight for Independence”
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Vocabulary Preview
Work with a partner. Review the definitions for the vocabulary words and
expressions that you will see in the reading, “America’s Fight for
Independence.”
1. unfair (adjective): not equal or just
Example: While under British control, the colonies were not allowed to trade with any
countries, except for England. Many colonists thought this was unfair.
2. hardship (noun): a difficulty; an obstacle
Example: The British government forced the colonies to pay high taxes, and this was an
economic hardship.
3. to protest (verb): to complain publicly about something
Example: Many colonists were unhappy that England did not allow the colonies to trade with
other countries, so they began to protest the British government’s laws.
Note: Protest can also be used as a noun. The colonists held protests to show their anger over
the British taxes.
4. breaking point (expression): a critical moment in which a situation reaches a crisis
Example: After many years of frustration living under British rule, the situation in the colonies
finally reached a breaking point. This is when many colonists began to take stronger action
against the British government.
5. pursuit (noun): a search for something; the act of trying to get something
Example: A famous document called The Declaration of Independence says that all people have the
right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
6. to last (verb): to continue for a particular period of time
Example: The Revolutionary War lasted for more than eight years.
7. battle (noun): a specific fight in a war
Example: The American army lost many battles, but eventually won the war.
8. to strategize (verb): to plan or create a strategy, tactic, or way of doing something
Example: America defeated the bigger, more experienced British army because their leader,
George Washington, had a strong ability to strategize new ways of fighting.
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America’s Fight for Independence
Throughout history, many countries have had to fight for their freedom. Before America was an
independent nation, it was a group of colonies. These colonies were controlled by England. Many of the
colonists who had risked their lives to cross the Atlantic, and who had worked so hard to establish a new life in
America, did not want to be governed by the British government anymore.
Because England controlled the American colonies, there were many disadvantages for the colonists
living there. First, the colonists didn’t have self-government. They couldn’t make their own laws and their own
form of government. And although England had control over the colonies, the colonies did not have any
representatives in the British government. Many colonists thought this was unfair. Another disadvantage of
British control was that the American colonies were only permitted to trade with England. People living in the
colonies wanted to trade with other countries, too, so this was a huge economic limitation. Finally, many
colonists were unhappy because the British government forced them to pay high taxes. This was another
economic hardship that the American colonies had to face.
In 1770, many people in America began to protest England’s power over the colonies, and three years
later, the frustration that many colonists felt reached a breaking point. In 1773, England created a law that
said the colonists must pay a tax on tea. Tea was very important to the colonists, and most people drank tea
every day. By the 1760’s, colonists were consuming 1.2 million pounds of tea a year. Now the British said
there would be taxes on all of the tea, and they would require the colonists to send this tax money to England.
In December of 1773, three British ships with boxes of tea arrived in the port of Boston, Massachusetts.
Angry about the tea tax they had to pay, the colonists in Boston refused to accept the tea and told the ships to
return to England. The British king said that the colonists must accept the tea and must also pay the tea tax.
Some of the colonists made a decision to take action.
One night, they dressed in Native American clothes and went
onto the British ships that were still in the harbor. They threw
nearly 350 boxes of British tea into the water, destroying
them. This event was called the Boston Tea Party. It was one
of the most famous protests in American history, and it
brought the American colonies one step closer to a war with
England.
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After the Boston Tea Party, more conflicts and fighting
continued. In 1774, the colonists had an important meeting in
Pennsylvania, called the First Continental Congress. At this
meeting,
representatives from
the colonies
discussed their
problems. They were preparing for a revolution. Thomas Jefferson
wrote an important document that announced the colonists’ desire
for independence. This document, called The Declaration of
Independence, said the people of America wanted free and independent states. It said they did not want to be
controlled by England any longer. The Declaration of Independence also said that “all men are created equal,”
and that everyone has “the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
War between the American colonies and England began in 1775. This war, called The Revolutionary
War, lasted until 1783. George Washington led the American Army. The army didn’t have enough food,
clothing, supplies or ammunition. The Americans lost many battles, but eventually, they won the war.
One reason they won was George Washington’s ability to strategize.
He fought in a very different style than the British. British soldiers attacked in
a long line. Washington’s army, on the other hand, hid behind trees and
attacked their enemy. Even though the British had better food, clothing and
equipment, they couldn’t defeat Washington’s strategy. During the
Revolutionary War, all kinds of Americans fought or contributed help;
farmers, sailors, business owners, and teachers became soldiers. About
5,000 African Americans fought against the British.
Women also gave
assistance; they worked on the farms while the men were fighting. They
also grew food, made clothes for the army, and took care of injured soldiers. Other countries, such as France,
also helped the Americans by sending soldiers or supplies.
On July 4th, 1776, the American colonies adopted the Declaration of
Independence. Representatives from all thirteen colonies signed the
paper. The war was not finished yet, but this was the beginning of the
United States as an independent nation. This is why we celebrate
Independence Day in the U.S. every year on July 4th. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, in
September 1783.
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Vocabulary Practice
Work with a partner. Decide which vocabulary word/expression from
the reading best completes each sentence. Note: you may need to change the endings on
some words.
unfair
pursuit
hardship
last
protest
battle
breaking point
strategize
1. Soldiers usually have to fight in many __________________________ before they win the war.
2. The meeting __________________________ longer than I expected. Instead of one hour, it took
two hours before we were finished.
3. Many colonists did not want to pay the high tax on the boxes of tea that were sent from England.
They __________________________ the tea tax law by throwing boxes of tea into the ocean.
4. It’s a real __________________________ to try to raise children as a single parent.
5. Ana was unhappy at her job for months. She didn’t think her boss appreciated her hard work. The
__________________________ came when Ana had a meeting with her boss, and he said that she
was not going to get a raise. After this, Ana decided to quit her job and start looking for a new one.
6. Many colonists thought that the British government’s control over the colonies was
__________________________; in other words, they didn’t believe it was right.
7. The military leaders had a meeting and __________________________ about how they should
respond to their enemy’s most recent attack.
8. Ahmed came to the U.S. in __________________________ of better educational opportunities.
Comprehension Questions
Answer the questions.
1. Why were many colonists unhappy about England’s control over the colonies?
2. What happened during the Boston Tea Party?
3. What was the Declaration of Independence?
4. How were the American colonists able to win the Revolutionary War?
5. Why do we celebrate American Independence on July 4th of every year?
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Oral Practice
Work with a partner. Partner A will ask Partner B the questions below. Partner B
will close the Student Guide and answer each question. Then, switch roles.
Questions
Answers
1. Why did the colonists fight the British?
1. (Answers may vary):
-because of high taxes.
-because they wanted their own government.
-because England didn’t allow the colonies to trade
with other countries.
2. Who wrote the Declaration of
Independence?
2. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of
Independence.
3. When was the Declaration of
Independence adopted?
3. July 4, 1776
4. What did the Declaration of Independence
do?
4. (Answers may vary):
-It announced America’s freedom from England.
-It gave us independence from England.
-It said that America was free from England.
5. What rights are stated in the Declaration of
Independence?
5.
- Everyone has right to life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness.
- All men are created equal.
Dictation Practice
Listen as your teacher dictates five sentences about the American colonists and the Revolutionary War.
Think about spelling, grammar, and punctuation while you write.
1. ______________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________________________
Now compare your sentences with a partner and try to make
corrections on your paper. When you are finished, you will
review the sentences together as a class.
*Use the phrases on the right while you work.
How do you spell the word ______?
What does this word mean?
What did you write here?
I didn’t understand this word / this part.
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EL Civics Objective #40:
Lesson 4
Important People and Events in American History:
The U.S. Constitution
“We the People . . .”
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Vocabulary Preview
Work with a partner. Review the definitions for the vocabulary words and expressions
that you will see in the reading, “We the People . . .”
1. to oversee (verb): to supervise, run, or be in charge of
Example: The U.S. Congress oversees the creation of new laws.
2. despite (preposition): used to show contrast or an unexpected relationship
*similar expressions: although, even though, in spite of
Example: Despite the traffic, I arrived on time to work.
3. to discuss (verb): to talk about something, usually in great detail. (positive meaning)
Example: The leaders of the new American government had an important meeting to
discuss the British government’s laws.
4. to argue (verb): to verbally fight; to show disagreement (negative meaning)
Example: Because many of the leaders had different ideas about how their new
government should be created, they often argued as they tried to write the U.S.
Constitution.
5. to ratify (verb): to formally approve or accept something
Example: The U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1787.
6. branch (noun): a part or section (of a government)
Example: The U.S. government is divided into three branches: the executive branch, the
legislative branch, and the judicial branch.
7. amendment (noun): an official change to a legal document
Example: The U.S. Constitution has 27 amendments.
8. the press (noun): the media; reporters and journalists from TV, newspapers, the
Internet, etc.
Example: The Constitution guarantees “freedom of the press,” which means that the U.S.
government cannot control what the media reports.
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EL Civics #40 Advanced
“We the People . . .”
In 1783, the Revolutionary War was over. There was a new country, the
United States of America. England did not control it anymore. The United States
was independent and free to create its own government.
At this time, there were 13 independent states. Each state had its own money, its own trade and
its own military. No strong central government existed to oversee all the states. The colonists’ experience
of being controlled by the king of England, before the Revolutionary War, had been a negative one. So
they were worried about having one central government. Despite their initial fears, the leaders of the
newly independent United States knew that it would be important to create some kind of central
government. They knew they must create laws that applied to all the states in America.
In 1787, leaders met in Philadelphia to discuss and
write laws for their new country. They wrote the Constitution,
which we call the supreme law of the land. Representatives
from 12 of the 13 states went to the meeting. There were 55
men there, including the Revolutionary War leader, George
Washington.
meeting.
Another well-known man participated in this
Benjamin
Franklin,
a
representative
from
Pennsylvania and an inventor, was 81 years old when he
helped write the Constitution. This meeting was called the Constitutional Convention; it lasted for four
months. The leaders met in a small room, and their work was secret. There were many important details
that these leaders had to agree on. For weeks and weeks, they talked. . . and argued . . . about what
kind of government they should create.
Finally the leaders finished writing the Constitution. After they wrote it, the document had to be
ratified, or officially approved.
A huge national debate began about whether or not to ratify the
Constitution. Newspapers all over America published articles both in favor and against it. The most
famous letters were called The Federalist Papers. They were 85 letters about the new Constitution. The
writers of the Federalist Papers tried to convince people to accept the Constitution.
After a lot of
discussion and debate, the Constitution was finally ratified and presented to the American public on
September 17, 1787.
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EL Civics #40 Advanced
The Constitution
The first three words of the Constitution are: “We the People.” This means that the people make the
decisions, not a king. This is the
idea of self-government. We vote
for
people
to
speak for
and
represent us. Our representatives
connect us to our government.
The
writers
of
the
Constitution wanted to make sure
that the central government did not
have
too much
power, so they
created a government that had
three branches. The legislative
branch is the part of the government that makes the laws. It is the U.S. Congress, which has two parts:
the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The
Congress represents the people. The executive branch is
the President, the Vice President, and their Cabinet
members. This part of the government enforces the laws.
The judicial branch is the Supreme Court of the U.S. This
branch decides about the meaning of laws, how they are
applied, and whether or not they violate the Constitution.
Together, these three branches share the power of the
government.
Over the years, changes have been made to some
parts of the Constitution. A change is called an amendment.
Currently, there are 27 amendments.
The first ten
amendments are called The Bill of Rights.
The First
Amendment has 5 parts: 1) freedom of speech, 2) freedom
of religion, 3) freedom of the press, 4) freedom of petition and 5) freedom of assembly. The Bill of Rights
is extremely important because it guarantees some very important freedoms and rights to all Americans.
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EL Civics #40 Advanced
Vocabulary Practice
Work with a partner. Decide which vocabulary word/expression from the reading best completes
each sentence. *Note: you may need to change the endings on some words.
oversee
ratify
despite
branch
discuss
amendment
argue
the press
1. Women in the U.S. could not vote until 1920, when the 19th __________________________
to the Constitution was passed.
2. The U.S. government has three __________________________: the legislative, the
executive, and the judicial.
3. A huge national debate took place before the U.S. Constitution was officially
__________________________ and presented to the American public.
4. At yesterday’s meeting, we __________________________ our company’s new project.
Everyone had a lot to say.
5. Whenever the President gives an important speech, __________________________ is
always there to cover the event.
6. The manager __________________________ the day-to-day operations of the restaurant,
which includes making the employees’ schedules and ordering supplies, and depositing
money to the bank.
7. __________________________ the heavy rain, there were no accidents on the freeway.
8. I couldn’t sleep well last night because my neighbors were __________________________
loudly for hours. They sounded really angry.
Comprehension Questions
Answer the questions.
1. What happened at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia?
2. What were The Federalist Papers? Explain.
3. What idea is represented by the words ”We the people...? “
4. What are the three branches of government and what does each branch do?
5. What is The Bill of Rights?
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EL Civics #40 Advanced
Oral Practice Work with a partner. Partner A will ask Partner B the questions below. Partner B
will close the Student Guide and answer each question. Then, switch roles.
Questions
Answers
1. What happened at the Constitutional
Convention?
1. (Answers may vary):
-The Constitution was written.
-The Founding Fathers or leaders wrote the
Constitution.
2. When was the Constitution written?
2. 1787
3. The idea of self-government is in the first
three words of the Constitution. What are
these words?
4. What is one freedom from the First
Amendment?
3. “We the people . . . “
5. How many amendments does the
Constitution currently have?
4. (Answers may vary):
Freedom of…
-speech
-religion
-assembly
-the press
5. 27
-petition
Dictation Practice
Listen as your teacher dictates five sentences about the Constitution. Think about spelling,
grammar, and punctuation while you write.
1. __________________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________________
4. __________________________________________________________________________
5. __________________________________________________________________________
Now compare your sentences with a partner and
try to make corrections on your paper. When you
are finished, you will review the sentences
together as a class.
How do you spell the word ______?
What does this word mean?
What did you write here?
*Use the phrases on the right while you work
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I didn’t understand this word / this part.
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EL Civics #40 Advanced
Practice for EL Civics Assessment: Task #1-Interview
Assessment Task 1: Answer questions related to important events and people in American
history.
1. Work with your partner to discuss the answers to questions below. If necessary, go
back to Lessons 1 and 2 to try to find the answers. Write notes in the chart while you
work.
Lesson
Questions
Native Americans
1. What is a specific group of Native
Americans called?
(Lesson 1)
2. What are some important skills or
knowledge that Native Americans had?
3. Name one American tribe in the United
States.
The American Colonists
(Lesson 2)
4. What ocean is on the East Coast of the
United States?
5. What is one reason the colonists came to
America?
6. There were 13 original states or colonies in
America. Name three.
7. What important national holiday began as a
celebration between the colonists and the
Native Americans?
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EL Civics #40 Advanced
2. Work with your partner to discuss the answers to questions below. If necessary, go back
to Lessons 3 and 4 to find the answers. Write notes in the chart while you work.
Lesson
Questions
The Revolutionary War
(Lesson 3)
8. Why did the colonists fight the British?
9. Who wrote the Declaration of
Independence?
10. What did the Declaration of
do?
The U.S Constitution
(Lesson
Independence
4)
11. When was the Constitution written?
12. What is one freedom from the First
Amendment?
13. How many amendments does the
Constitution currently have?
3. Listening and Speaking Practice.
Partner A: Ask your partner the questions in the charts. Check your partner’s answers.
Partner B: Close your booklet. Listen and answer your partner’s questions.
Change roles and practice the questions again.
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EL Civics #40
Advanced
Practice for EL Civics Assessment: Task #2-Dictation
Assessment Task 2: Write dictation sentences about important events and people in American
history.
1. Listen as your teacher dictates four sentences about the topics you have studied. Think
about spelling, grammar, and punctuation while you write.
A. ______________________________________________________________________________
B. ______________________________________________________________________________
C. ______________________________________________________________________________
D. ______________________________________________________________________________
2.
Now compare your sentences with a partner
and try to make corrections on your paper.
When you are finished, you will review the
sentences together as a class.
*Use the phrases on the right while you work
How do you spell the word ______?
What does this word mean?
What did you write here?
I didn’t understand this word / this part.
3. Pronunciation Practice: After you have reviewed the
dictation sentences with your partner and together as
a class, practice saying each sentence above with
your partner.
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EL Civics #40
Advanced
4. Extra Practice: Pair Dictation
Partner A:
Dictate the following questions to your partner. Be sure to use good pronunciation and repeat
several times, if necessary.
A. The Native Americans lived in the U.S. before the Europeans arrived.
B. Many colonists moved to America because they wanted religious freedom.
C. Other colonists decided to settle in America because they were looking for economic
opportunities.
Now, write the sentences that Partner B dictates. Think about spelling, grammar, and punctuation
while you write.
D. ______________________________________________________________________________
E. ______________________________________________________________________________
F. ______________________________________________________________________________
Partner A: cover the bottom half of this page.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Partner B: cover the top half of this page.
Partner B: Write the sentences that Partner A dictates. Think about spelling, grammar, and
punctuation while you write.
A. ______________________________________________________________________________
B. ______________________________________________________________________________
C. ______________________________________________________________________________
Now, dictate the following questions to your partner. Be sure to use good pronunciation and repeat
several times, if necessary.
D. The American colonies fought a war with England that lasted more than eight years.
E. In 1787 the U.S. Constitution was ratified and presented to the American public.
F. The three branches or parts of the U.S. government are the executive, legislative, and
judicial branches.
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EL Civics #40
Advanced
Practice for EL Civics Assessment Task #3- Oral Report
Assessment Task #3: Present a brief oral report. The following model is an example of an appropriate oral
report. Review this model with your classmates and teacher. For your oral report, you can summarize
information from the other lessons you have read, or research a different topic.
Today, I’d like to talk about Susan B. Anthony. She was an important person in
American history because she fought against slavery and she also fought for women’s rights.
Susan lived during the time of the Civil War when slavery was the biggest issue in the
United States. After the Civil War ended, the 15thAmendment was added to the Constitution,
and this gave male citizens, of any race, the right to vote. Susan was happy that former
slaves could now vote, but she was upset that the 15th Amendment did not include women.
For the rest of Susan’s life, she fought for women’s rights. Eventually, in 1920, women got
the right to vote under the 19th Amendment. Although Susan had died many years before this
amendment passed, her work for women’s rights definitely helped make the 19 th Amendment
possible.
Without the important contributions of Susan B. Anthony and others like her, AfricanAmericans and women might not have the rights they have today. We remember Susan B.
Anthony today by the 19th Amendment, which is sometimes called the “Susan B. Anthony
Amendment.” Also, in 1979, the U.S. Government made a special dollar coin in Susan B.
Anthony’s honor. Susan B. Anthony was a crusader for justice and thus, in my opinion,
one of the most important women in American history.
Susan B. Anthony
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EL Civics #40
Advanced
Choosing a Topic for a Brief Oral Report on American History
1. For your oral report, you may choose one of the four topics that you studied:
o Native Americans (Lesson 1)
o The American Colonists (Lesson 2)
o The Revolutionary War / America’s Fight For Independence (Lesson 3)
o The U.S. Constitution (Lesson 4)
OR, you may choose a different historical event or person to talk about in
your oral report. Here is a list of suggested topics that you might choose to
research and talk about in your report:

America’s first President, George
Washington

The U.S. in World War I

Women Win the Right to Vote
The Civil War (The North vs. the

South)

The Great Depression, America’s Worst
Economic Time
The U.S. in World War II

Abraham Lincoln


The First Thanksgiving
Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Fight For
Civil Rights

American Inventions
(the telephone, the light bulb, the
automobile, the conveyor belt, etc.)

Cesar Chavez and the Farm Workers

Other? _________________________

2. Choose a topic and talk to a classmate about your choice. What is interesting
to you about the topic? Why did you choose this topic? What do you already know
about the topic?
*If you choose to report on a different topic, you will need to use the Internet
and/or get materials from your teacher to help you find information.
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EL Civics #40
Advanced
Preparing a Brief Oral Report about American History
Topic of report _________________________________________
1. Prepare notes for your report. The examiner expects your report to include all points below.
Write appropriate answers/notes.
A. Introduce the topic. Identify the name of the event or person or time in history that you plan
to talk about.
B. State one or more reasons why this event, person or time period is important or interesting
to you.
C. Provide several details about the event, person or time in history.
D. Talk about how /if you feel this event, time in history or person’s contribution has made an
impact on our life today.
E. Talk about how/if the event, person, time in history is remembered or celebrated today. Is
there a related holiday?
F. Plan a summary statement. Restate the topic and summarize one or two key points from
your report.
2. Practice presenting your oral report. After you have finished writing notes above, give your
questions and answers to your partner. Your partner will read each statement above (A-F)
and listen while you practice talking about your topic. Then switch roles.
3. Transfer your notes to note cards. Practice presenting your report to a partner or small
group. Practice eye contact and clear pronunciation.
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