Core Values:  These are the values, principles and beliefs on which our Constitution is written.  We also write "I believe..." statements using the following values and beliefs.

Life- Each citizen has the protection of their life.  In school this also means that each student should feel safe in coming to school. Bullies are not following this value.

The Pursuit of Happiness- Each citizen can find happiness in their own way, so long as they do not step on the rights of others. In school,  if you want to hurt another student because it will make you happy, you will not be following the pursuit of happiness. You are making another student miserable.  If you want to study because it makes you happy, then you may do so, for you are not stepping on someone else's rights.

Justice-All people should be treated fairly in getting the advantages and disadvantages of our country.  No group or person should be favored.  This is different than Liberty. Justice is a right, while liberty is considered a freedom.

Common Good- This is from the Mayflower Compact. All laws the government makes must be fair and good for all. We as citizens are to follow these laws.

Liberty-Liberty includes the freedom to:  believe what you want; freedom to choose your own friends; have your own ideas and opinions and  to express you ideas in public; for people to meet in groups; the right to have a lawful job or business.

Equality- Everyone should get the same treatment regardless of:  where their parents or grandparents were born; race; religion; how much money you have.  Citizens all have political, social and economic equality.

Truth-The government and the people must not lie.

Diversity - (The women who wrote the Declaration of Sentiments were certainly hoping people would start celebrating their differences) This is the celebration and acceptance of the differences in: languages; gender; race; food; religion; race; and cultural background (which could also include the country where your grandparents or parents were born).

Popular Sovereignty - The leaders are there to serve the people. They are there to help us. Their power is given to them by the citizens.

Rule of Law - everyone, even the leaders must follow the law (mean, old King James learned this the hard way, when he was forced to sign the Magna Carta)

Patriotism - A devotion to our count and the Core Democratic Ideas/Values in word and deed. We saw an example of this after 9-11, when many people displayed American Flags in front of their houses.

Individual Rights- Any rights not exactly covered in the above. These are privileges belonging to all people by law.

Other terms you may need:

Representative Government - A gov't that is made up of delegates who represent the people that elect them

Federalism - The local, state and federal gov't are separate, but they can work together. For example, clean air /clean water, searches for snipers or dangerous people, missing people, education ....

Check and Balances - the three branches of the gov't work together checking, making, and carrying out laws. The legislative body makes laws (Congress), the Judicial Branch (the Supreme Courts checks the laws to make sure they are good and fair), the Executive branch (the President and his Cabinet make sure that the laws are carried out)