Social Studies Assignment Grade 8 Week of 5-4-20 Directions

Social Studies Assignment Grade 8 Week of 5-4-20

Directions:

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If you cannot access Newsela online, the directions and reading selections are below. Keep in mind if you access these articles you can change the reading level to what you are comfortable with. The articles below cannot be changed.

Assignment:

As you read your assigned article: Highlight in GREEN the rights of U.S. citizens. Highlight in YELLOW challenges these rights present.

What question should I keep in mind?

What are the rights of a United States Citizen?

Part I:

Define the following vocabulary terms: • amendment • free speech • separation of church and state • freedom of assembly • false confession

Part II:

Answer the quiz questions after each article to check for understanding.

Part III:

Using a 3-column graphic organizer to write down information about each of the Rights of Citizens. An example is below:

Rights of Citizens Define Illustration or Example

Freedom of… Part IV:

Respond to the Following Question:

Why are the rights and responsibilities of citizens important to democracy in the United States? Use examples from the articles to support your answer. Use the RACE Graphic Organizer to help with your responses (Restate the Question, Answer the Prompt, Cite Textual Evidence, Explain your Answer).

How Government Works: What is citizenship? By Encyclopaedia Britannica, adapted by Newsela staff on 02.24.17 Word Count 646 Level 660L

Citizens in California vote during the 2008 presidential election. Choosing a leader of the government, like the president, is a right citizens have. Photo from: Associated Press.

Citizenship is all about rights and responsibilities. A citizen is a person who is a full member of a country. Citizens have rights that are given by the country's government. For example, a citizen has the right to be protected by a country's laws.

In return, citizens have responsibilities, or duties, that they owe to the country. One of the most important duties is being loyal to the country.

Citizenship is not the same as nationality. A person's nationality tells which country that person is from. A person can be from a country without being a citizen of that country, though. The person might have gained citizenship in another country. Or, they might have lost their citizenship. People who live in a country but are not citizens or nationals of that country are called aliens.

How To Become A Citizen

Each country sets its own rules for citizenship. Many countries have set up four ways to become a citizen. The first way is to be born in the country. The second is to have a mother or father who is a

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. citizen. The third is to marry a citizen. The fourth way is to go through certain steps to become a citizen of a country. That process is called naturalization.

Naturalization allows someone born in one country to become a citizen of another country. Naturalization laws are different in every country. Usually, people must have lived in the new country for several years. They usually must speak the country's language. They might have to pass a test about the country's laws and history. Often, they must promise to be loyal to the country. They swear that they will live by the country's laws.

Citizens Have Rights And Duties

Citizens have certain rights. Some countries give their citizens more or different rights than other countries. Citizens usually have the right to vote. They often have the right to be elected to government jobs, too. Other rights may include the right to follow any religion they choose and the right to speak freely.

Citizens also have duties. Voting is a right. Yet it is also a duty. Citizens must vote to make sure that their government works for the good of its citizens. Citizens also might have the duty to serve on a jury during a trial in court. Some countries also make serving in the military a duty of all citizens.

Aliens might have some of the same rights as citizens. But those rights are limited. For example, they usually cannot vote or serve in the government. Aliens also have some of the same duties as citizens. For one thing, they must obey the country's laws. For another, they often must pay taxes.

Citizenship Can Be Lost

Losing citizenship is possible, but it does not happen often. It only happens in special cases. There are a few ways that people can lose their citizenship. One way is to become a citizen of a different country. Another way is to show loyalty to another country. An example of this would be serving in another country's military. Naturalized citizens who commit serious crimes might lose their citizenship as well.

Those who lose their citizenship can end up as citizens of no country. Then they are called stateless persons.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. Quiz

1 Read the summary below. Choose the answer that BEST fits into the blank to complete the summary.

Citizens are people who are full members of a country. ______. Citizens also have duties that they owe to their country. Rules and processes for citizenship are different for every country.

(A) They can become stateless persons if they lose citizenship.

(B) Citizens must be loyal and speak a country's language.

(D) Citizens have rights that are given and protected by the government.

2 Which section of the article explains HOW people might be forced to give up their citizenship?

(A) Introduction [paragraphs 1-3]

(B) “How To Become A Citizen”

(D) “Citizenships Can Be Lost”

3 Read the section “Citizens Have Rights And Duties.”

Select the paragraph from the section that gives examples of how citizens show their responsibility to their country.

4 Which detail from the section “How to Become A Citizen” BEST helps explain why naturalization is not an easy process?

(A) Naturalization allows someone born in one country to become a citizen of another country.

(B) Naturalization laws are different in every country.

(D) They swear that they will live by the country's laws.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. Americans' rights and responsibilities By U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, adapted by Newsela staff on 06.01.17 Word Count 956 Level 780L

Members of the armed services recite the pledge of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony at the USS Midway Museum, in May 2009 in San Diego, California. (U.S. Navy photo by Legalman 1st Class Jennifer L. Bailey/Released)

For over 200 years, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution have protected the rights and freedom of Americans. Before the declaration was written, America was controlled by the British. A group of early leaders, the Founding Fathers, wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776. In this text, they stated that they would no longer serve the British.

After the declaration, the American states fought off the British and became the United States of America. The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution to describe how the new free government would be run. They also included the rights that American citizens should have.

Today, people can have different backgrounds, cultures or religions. No matter what, every U.S. citizen has the rights listed in the Constitution. The same goes for new citizens. When someone becomes a U.S. citizen, they take an Oath of Allegiance. This oath is a promise to be loyal and support the country.

Louis Brandeis used to be a member of the Supreme Court, the highest court in America. This court can have the final word on any legal case. Brandeis once said, "The only title in our

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. democracy superior to that of President [is] the title of citizen." The government only has power because of the American people.

Rights Of A Citizen

Freedom to express yourself. This includes freedom of speech and the freedom to meet in a group peacefully. It also includes the freedom to protest if you think the government has done something wrong. Americans can speak and act as they wish as long as they do not hurt others or stop others from speaking freely.

Freedom to worship as you wish. You have the freedom to follow any religion or no religion at all. However, some religious acts can be hurtful and unhealthy for others. The Supreme Court has put some limits on these kind of actions.

Right to a prompt, fair trial. People accused of a crime have the right to a fast and fair trial by a jury. This jury is made of citizens, who should not be prejudiced. Someone accused of a crime is innocent until they are proven guilty.

Right to keep and bear arms. The Constitution protects your right to have firearms. Citizens have the right to protect themselves, but they can lose this right if they are a danger to others. Criminals do not have this right.

Right to vote in elections. You can vote in federal, state, and city elections to choose your leaders. The right to vote stops politicians from having too much power. Instead, it keeps power in the hands of citizens.

Right to apply for employment in the government. U.S. citizens can apply for a job working for the government, which can be a rewarding career in the service of the American people.

Right to run for elected office. You must become a U.S. citizen if you want to run for office. If you want to run for President or Vice President, you also have to be born in the U.S.

Freedom to pursue "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." These words come from the Declaration of Independence. You have the right to choose your own path in life and to set your own goals. Americans can make their own decisions as long as they do not take rights away from others.

Responsibilities Of A Citizen

Every citizen has rights, but they have responsibilities, too.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. Support and defend the Constitution against all enemies. The Constitution gives all citizens freedom, liberty and opportunity. However, the Constitution can only exist if citizens support it. If it gets questioned by people from other countries, citizens should defend it.

Stay informed. U.S. citizens should learn about the candidates running for office and know about problems in their city, state and country. Be informed before you vote.

Participate in the democratic process. Vote in city, state and federal elections, because it is the most important responsibility of any citizen. Voting is our voice that tells our leaders what needs to be done.

Respect and obey federal, state and local laws. Every person living in the United States must follow federal, state and city laws. These rules help keep society in order, so that we can have our rights respected.

Respect the rights, beliefs and opinions of others. The United States is a nation of different kinds of people, but we are united into one nation. We must respect the beliefs and opinions of others, so that future generations can have the same rights.

Participate in your town or city. Be a part of your community and help in any way you can. Go to town hall meetings, volunteer to help others, join a local parent-teacher group, or run for public office.

Pay your taxes. Taxes pay for the government, so it can help educate children and adults, keep our country safe, and our people healthy. Paying taxes on time helps all Americans get these important services.

Serve on a jury when called upon. U.S. citizens can serve on a jury to decide fairly if a person is innocent or guilty.

Defend the country. You can volunteer to be a part of the Armed Forces of the United States. Today, all our soldiers and sailors are volunteers, but there are also ways to defend our country without fighting. You can volunteer to help with the environment, education or health care.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. Quiz

1 Read the paragraph from the introduction [paragraphs 1-4].

Louis Brandeis used to be a member of the Supreme Court, the highest court in America. This court can have the final word on any legal case. Brandeis once said, “The only title in our democracy superior to that of President [is] the title of citizen.” The government only has power because of the American people.

Which option is an accurate explanation of this paragraph?

(A) Brandeis believed that presidents did not always listen to citizens.

(B) Brandeis believed that American citizens gave the president power.

(D) Brandeis believed the government did not have to listen to the Supreme Court.

2 Which sentence from the section "Rights Of A Citizen" explains WHY some citizens may NOT have the same rights as others?

(A) It also includes the freedom to protest if you think the government has done something wrong.

(B) However, some religious acts can be hurtful and unhealthy for others.

(D) Citizens have the right to protect themselves, but they can lose this right if they are a danger to others.

3 Look at the first two photographs included in the article. What do they show about American citizens?

(A) Not all citizens participate in the responsibilities they have.

(B) Not all citizens are given the rights they have been promised.

(D) Many citizens take their rights and responsibilities seriously.

4 Use the section "Responsibilities Of A Citizen" and the two images included there to select the TRUE statement.

(A) Citizens can vote on whether to keep parts of the Constitution.

(B) There are many different ways to participate in your community.

(D) You can choose not to serve on a jury by doing other volunteer work.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. How First Amendment rights have evolved By USHistory.org, adapted by Newsela staff on 02.13.17 Word Count 746 Level 940L

The right to assemble in peaceful protest is one right granted by the First Amendment. In this photo, Occupy Wall Street demonstrators stand and cheer in front of the George Washington statue on Wall Street in New York City as they celebrate the protest's sixth month, March 17, 2012. AP Photo/John Minchillo

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." — First Amendment to the Constitution

The First Amendment protects several basic liberties. They are freedom of religion, speech, press, petition and assembly. It is not always easy to understand what this amendment means. Judge after judge has tried to define the limits of these freedoms. The definitions have changed throughout American history, and the process continues today.

Freedom Of Religion

The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion in two sections. The first is the "establishment" clause. It prevents the government from having an official religion. The second is the "free exercise" clause, which says that people can worship as they please. The phrase

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. "separation of church and state" does not appear in the First Amendment, and it is not found anywhere else in the Constitution. Most people do not realize that it actually came from Thomas Jefferson. In 1802, when he was president, he wrote that freedom of religion was designed to build "a wall of separation between Church and State."

Many court cases deal with freedom of religion. Judges have rejected prayer in public schools and said that governments cannot give financial help to religious schools. They have also banned polygamy, which means having more than one spouse.

Freedoms of Speech and of the Press

Free speech is one of the most our most important liberties. Free speech often conflicts with other rights and liberties. The courts have had to think about the question, "What are the limits of free speech?"

Courts use a basic principle to decide the limits of free speech. The test is called "clear and present danger." It was set in a famous case called Schenck v. the United States and dates from World War I. Charles Schenck was an antiwar activist, and was arrested for sending flyers that told men to ignore the draft. At the time, men were drafted and forced to serve in the military. The government claimed that Schenck threatened national security, and the Supreme Court agreed. From then on, free speech would not be protected if a person was a clear danger to U.S. security.

What is free speech? The definition is not easy, and the courts have identified three types of free speech.

1. Pure speech is written and verbal expression of thoughts and opinions. The courts have generally protected pure speech, and have said that the government cannot limit it.

2. Speech-plus involves words and actions, such as protesting. Judges do not protect speech-plus as strictly as pure speech. This is because actions can be physically dangerous. The courts have ruled that demonstrators may not block traffic, put people in danger or illegally enter a private property.

3. Symbolic speech does not even involve speech at all. Instead, it involves symbols that express a person's point of view. This type of speech includes symbolic actions such as wearing black armbands in school and burning a draft card. Both of these symbolic actions protested the Vietnam War. In 1989, the Supreme Court upheld the right to burn an American flag. The media also has freedom of speech. However, the courts have ruled that the government may not censor information before it is written and published. The only exception in the most extreme cases of national security.

Freedom Of Assembly And Petition

Freedom of assembly, or gathering, and petition are closely related to freedom of speech. They have been protected in similar ways. Former Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes wrote, "Peaceable assembly for lawful discussion cannot be made a crime." Freedom of assembly has to be balanced with other people's rights if it disrupts safety, traffic, freedom to go about normal life or peace and quiet. Usually, a group must ask the government for permission to hold a demonstration. However, a government must grant the permit in most cases.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. For over 100 years after the Constitution, the First Amendment protected these freedoms. But, no one questioned what they meant. In the 1900s, people began taking the government to court when they believed their rights were in danger. Then, the First Amendment began really meaning something. It remains the single most powerful tool for protecting the sacred freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition for modern Americans.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. Quiz

1 What is the connection between the introduction [paragraphs 1-2] and the final paragraph?

(A) Both use examples of limits on the First Amendment that have been defined by judges in American history.

(B) Both explain that people paid little attention to protecting the First Amendment until the 1900s.

(D) Both explain that the First Amendment continues to be important to protecting basic liberties.

2 Read the sentences from the section "Freedom Of Religion."

Most people do not realize that it actually came from Thomas Jefferson. In 1802, when he was president, he wrote that freedom of religion was designed to build "a wall of separation between Church and State."

How do these sentences contribute to the article?

(A) They help clarify the intended purpose of freedom of religion.

(B) They show that the original amendment did not separate Church and State.

(D) They serve to demonstrate the wisdom of Thomas Jefferson.

3 Which of the following accurately characterizes the reaction of the courts to questions about the limits of free speech?

(A) They followed a basic principle related to national security that had first been proposed by an antiwar activist.

(B) They created a principle that allows the government to limit the speech or actions of people or groups that it disagrees with.

(C) They identified three different types of speech that have different limits depending on the danger they pose to individuals or the country.

(D) They defined three different types of speech that are always protected without exceptions or limitations.

4 Fill in the blank.

The author MAINLY explains the importance of the First Amendment by ......

(A) emphasizing statements by Supreme Court justices protecting freedoms.

(B) explaining which statements about freedoms are found in the Constitution.

(D) defining types of actions that are deemed too dangerous to be protected.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.