Perfect timing!

As I finished preparing my reviews for the boys for civcs/citizenship test I received an email about this:

http://www.canadiancitizenshipchallenge.ca/

Both boys will be participating in this challenge.

Civics Review

We are wrapping up our unit on Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities so I have put together this review for the test.  It is extensive but my plan is that when the boys finish the civics course they will be able to pass a citizenship test.  I think it is wrong that many of us know so little about our own country.

Here is our review:

1.  The three ways you can become a citizen of Canada are:

2.  In order to become a citizen the federal government department of Citizenship and Immigration requires that:  (4 things)

3.  The two official languages of Canada are:

4.  What is significant about the following years?

1867

1931

1982

5.  What are your rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

6.  What rights apply only to Canadian Citizens?

7.  Which three rights do you think are the most important?  Explain why.

8.  What’s the difference between the Charter and the Bill of Rights?

9.  What must a person do to become a candidate in a federal election?

10.  Who was Nellie McClung and why was she important?

11.  List the steps that must be followed in a federal election.

12.  What are the three branches of the federal government?

13.  Who was Sir John a. Macdonald and explain why he played an important role in Canadian history?

14.  List five responsibilities of

a) federal government

b) provincial government

c) municipalities

15 .  What is the role of:

a) the Senate

b) the Queen

c) the Governor General

16.  Does the race or religion of a candidate affect his or her chances of being elected?  Explain your response.

17.  Explain how a bill moves through parliament to become a law.

18.  List the current main political parties at the federal level.

19.  What are the merits and problems of a minority government?

20.  How is a coalition government formed?

21.  What are the main roles and responsibilities of the courts?

22.  Do you think that the Governor General should be appointed or elected?  Support your answer.

High School Civics Class

In civics we are looking at the requirements and responsibilities of citizenship in Canada.  If you are applying to become a Canadian Citizen and are between the ages of 18-55 you must pass a citizenship test.  The vast majority of Canadian citizens could not pass this test.  I think it is shameful that Canadians know so little about their own country.  Our study of Canadian history and civics continues to be very thorough.  Before either of my sons can graduate from homeschool they must be able to pass a citizenship test.

Here are some of the resources we are using:

The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/discover/index.asp

Could you pass a citizenship test?  Sample study questions are posted here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/cit-sample.asp

New to Ontario?  Find lots of information, resources and games at this site:

http://www.settlement.org/

Citizenship and the Municipal Election

In civics we have been talking about being responsible citizens and what that entails.  Every eligible citizen has the responsibility to vote at election time.  Voting requires careful thought and consideration.  To that end the boys have been assigned to find out which positions we will be voting for on the 25th and how many candidates are elected for each position.  Then they need to research about the candidates and decide who they would vote for and explain why. 

It is proving to be a fascinating process.  Josh has gone through to determine which candidates have spelling and grammar errors on their websites and who used American spelling.  Next he read about their experience and background.  We have concluded that while each citizen has the right to run in an election that perhaps we should have the right to not have our sensibilities offended by some of the candidates who are running.  Andrew has been a bit more methodical in his contemplation.  He has determined who he believes will make the best mayor.  I am looking forward to hearing about his other choices.

We have had an interesting discussion about the school board trustees.  In Ontario you vote for either the Public or Catholic School Board Trustees.  The last time the boys were enrolled in school it was at the Catholic High School but we could only vote for the public board trustees.

The next week and a half should be interesting!