This social studies curriculum guide for grades 5 and 6 is a product of the American Values Exemplary Center directed by Ralph H. Davis. The introduction describes a model program to introduce students to the functioning of local and national government through a student government program set up as an essential part of the social studies curriculum. Each classroom establishes a government modeled after a common form of city government and sends representatives to a constitutional convention. There students write a constitution establishing a federal system of school government to handle those areas not covered by school policy. Chapter I is a checklist for teachers to use in evaluating student attitudes: dignity and worth of the individual, belief in the value of self-government, understanding of democracy's privileges and responsibilities, and the use of intelligence to solve problems. Other chapters give objectives, purposes, procedures, and activities for establishing the need for government, classroom organization, national government, elections, and campaigns. Materials include: forms, procedures, and sample bills for classroom government; sample lesson plans for grade 5; and, activities and dramatizations based on American documents and symbols. For an evaluation of the program, see SO 000 170. (DJB)