Ch. 1, Lesson 1 -- Being an American

Chapter 1, Lesson 1 – “Being An American

1. What is Civics? (See graphic organizer from Google Classroom)
2. A Changing Society

1. National motto:  “E Pluribus Unum” (Latin – Out of many, one)

2.   A Nation of Immigrants

a.   all of us are either immigrants or descendents of immigrants.

2. Native Americans – the first – most likely came from Asia originally;
3. 1500s – Spanish – first permanent European settlers

Memory Tool – Span DAfEF NoWE SEE – Spanish, Dutch, African slaves, English, French, N.W. Europeans, S.E. Europeans.

Now…FEMEALs – Far East and Middle East Asians & Latinos.  Fastest growing – Asians.

                  3.  A Diverse Population

a.   Racial and Ethnic Diversity – Most are white/Caucasians (European); then Latinos (those of

      any race from Spanish-speaking countries; a.k.a. Hispanic), then African-Americans, then  

      Asians.  Asians -- fastest-growing. (ethnic means related to a group of people sharing similar

      race or culture – language, religion, etc. synonym = cultural)

                        b.   Religious Diversity --  Most -- Christians; others -- Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, other, or

                              none.

Many Traditions

c.   Americans enjoy family/cultural traditions, but borrow from many other cultures.

4. Transforming America

a.   Movement from rural areas to cities (urban areas) for jobs in factories (“blue-

      collar” jobs) or offices (“white collar” jobs)

2. Shift from manufacturing to “service” jobs (like computer programming), working at home, and women working outside the home.
3. African Americans moved from South to Northern cities  (some now reversing)
4. Population moving to South and West
5. People are now living longer, getting higher education; families have fewer children.

3. American Values and Institutions

Shared values, ideas and institutions unite us in our diversity

2. What are Values?  Our principles, or core beliefs, help us determine what our values are, those

things that are most important to us, like what’s right or wrong.  

Principles/beliefs + values = actions and behavior…the way we live!

3. Basic American Values:  freedom, opportunity, equality, justice, democracy, unity, respect, tolerance.  (We’ll define some of these and others in class.)
4. Shared Values Unite Americans.  Founding documents – Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution (1787), Bill of Rights (1791) give us commonly held ideas:

a.   we have natural (God-given) rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”

b.   value of “popular sovereignty” (people rule; gov’t. is there by “consent (permission) of the  

      governed”) through fair, free, regular elections;

c.   equal justice under the law, and majority rule through the people’s representatives.

5. English as common language for education, business, government

      4.   American Institutions – the “building blocks” of our society that transmit values and keep it strong.

Institutions are sets of key relationships and connections that have certain obligations, roles, functions.

1. Family – most important; core of social life; socializing the young in personal/national values
2. Religious – houses of worship; often where beliefs of right/wrong are taught.
3. Educational  -- places of learning; society’s values are reinforced; workers are prepared.
4. Social – clubs; service organizations; athletics
5. Governmental – provide protection, order, peace;

Memory Device:  “FRED SOG”

Chap. 1, Lesson 1 “Notes Connections Questions”

Directions:  Make personal connections to what we’re studying by answering the following questions.  Write the answers in the space below or in your notes.

1. What is your “race” (physical characteristics; ex: white/Caucasian, African, Asian/oriental – or do you think you’re a mixture)?

2. What is your “ethnicity” (culture you most identify with, such as “Italian”)?

3. What is your “nationality” (the country you were born in or have citizenship in)?

4. Have you ever moved before?  If so, how many times?

5. How many children are in your immediate family?

6. Look back at the five institutions mentioned at the end of the notes. List at least one way you are connected to each one:

1. Family --

2. Religious --

3. Educational --

4. Social --

5. Governmental --