NATIONAL STANDARDS: National Social Studies Standards: Grades 5-8POWER, AUTHORITY, & GOVERNANCE: VI- provides the life stories of representative American leaders- identifies basic features of the U.S. political system- describes how governments powers are acquired, used, and justified- describes how governments respond to forces of unity and diversity- explains conditions that contribute to conflict and cooperation within the U.S. and with other nations- CIVIC IDEALS AND PRACTICES: X- examines origins and influence of democratic-republican ideals--human dignity, liberty, justice, equality, the rule of law- explores the roles of public opinion, citizen action, and political actors in shaping public policies