Government? Specifically roles such as President, Governor, Congressman, Mayor, etc. ? (I'm thinking USA, but I always love to hear about other countries too).
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They really dive into the rolls of government in 4th grade, at least here in Ohio. I'm sure it's touched on before then but we spent a quarter discussing government rolls and touring the court house and city hall, etc.
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@cmomma17: it varies by state. When I worked in Texas, it was 5th grade, 8th grade, and then you took "Government" for a semester in HS.
Now in NJ, it's either 7th or 8th grade.
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@ladybee: my stepdaughter just completed 6th grade. The local news channel was showing a lot of political ads this morning for elections in Maryland (governor, etc.). She didn't seem to understand that a)the people in the commercials were not running for president b)there are political roles other than president and c)that presidential elections happen every 4 years.
ETA: We live in VA but the kids are in school in OR.
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@cmomma17: I know it's different state by state. Now, just because it was taught doesn't mean it was mastered or remembered!
I'm sure 4th grade was just the beginning and I know I was required to take several government classes in middle school and high school.
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They introduce the community in kinder...who/what community leaders are. The depth increases in each grade, by 4th the know state and local leaders and have a basic foundation for government. Detailed government (how a bill becomes a law, powers/responsibilities of branches etc) is 8th grade.
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@ladybee: I have always been concerned about their schooling. Last summer they couldn't do the months of the year in order
That was at ages 11 and 7! I do know I didn't listen much in my government class!
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@cmomma17: Yikes! I would find the months of the year concerning!
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@ladybee: I remember posting on here last year because I was so shocked by that! And today it seemed like they were hearing "governor" and "congress" for the first time ever ...
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@cmomma17: I would look into the rankings for the schools they attend. If they are really terrible, perhaps your family needs to talk about changing their situation. Not being able to name the months in order at age 11 is pretty concerning to me. I also think education needs to be supplemented at home so if their mother is not doing so, that's a problem that needs to be addressed.
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@MamaMoose: I agree with you! Unfortunately we are not in control of their situation and the person who is thinks everything is fine. I try to have the best influence on them during my time with them to fill in the gaps. We focused a lot on reading over the past year and she has really improved there, but it seems like their schools just don't teach a lot (they do fine grade-wise).
I'm sure 4th grade was just the beginning and I know I was required to take several government classes in middle school and high school.
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