Grade 8 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 20, Lesson 1

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
A More Perfect Union

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 20, Lesson 1: A Government of Citizens (pp. 592-597)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Rights The definition and rights of citizenship have gradually expanded to include many different groups.

Describe and summarize the ways in which the rights of citizenship have gradually expanded to include black Americans, women, and American Indians. Use the definitions of citizenship and voting rights as examples of growing inclusion.

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Have students write a paragraph explaining how the entire nation benefits when more people are included as citizens and given the right to vote. Paragraphs can contain specific references to groups that have gained citizenship and voting rights, as well a discussion of the role of citizens in the U.S. government.
Organize students into working groups and have each group design a poster calling for voting rights for one of the following: all white men, black men, women, American Indians, or people aged 18-21. Posters should reflect the time period in which the group gained voting rights.

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