Volume 1, Issue 12 January 2008 |
|
Contents
The Daily Dilemma
Theme of the Month
Lessons and Activities
Character Education Tips and Resources
In the News
|
| |
"It is not always the same thing to be a good man and a good citizen." -Aristotle |
| The Daily Dilemma
Challenge your students!
Not-so-hypothetical situations from the case files of Charis Denison.
For January...
Click here for the Daily Dilemma
Back to Top |
| |
"How wonderful it is that nobody needs to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." -Anne Frank |
| Theme of the Month: Citizenship
Citizenship is social responsibility in action, but being a good citizen means something more. A good citizen does her part for the common good, serves her community, and helps make democracy work.
One of the programs in our new character education series based on the Six Pillars of Character is The Citizenship Connection. The complete series will be available in February 2008.
|
|
Back to Top |
| |
"The only title in our democracy superior to that of President is the title of citizen." -Louis D. Brandeis, Supreme Court Justice |
| Lessons and Activities
Elementary School
Popcorn Park Citizenship
Students learn that by being good citizens they can be heroes in their community.
Good Citizenship and Philanthropy
Students learn about community need and private action while brainstorming ways in which they can make their community and their world a better place in which to live.
Taking a Look at the U.S. Government
Students will learn about the United States Government while creating, on a smaller scale, their own classroom government.
Middle School
In Search of Citizenship
Students learn that by being responsible within their communities, they are being good citizens.
Discovering Who Was Here Before Us
An opportunity to learn about immigration and how it shaped the United States. Includes activities and exercises that teach students about their cultural heritage.
Limits of Power
Students learn about and analyze the limitations of power in the United States Government.
High School
Government Secrets
Students study the Pentagon Papers case from the Vietnam War era and debate whether they think it's OK for the government to keep things secret in certain cases. (PDF Document)
Encouraging Volunteerism
Learners will identify the ways citizens can become active participants in the community through political parties, interest groups, voting and providing public service.
Discovering the Bill of Rights
Students match different situations with their corresponding amendment, and explain their reasoning.
Back to Top
|
| |
"Every good citizen makes his county's honor his own, and cherishes it not only as precious but as sacred. He is willing to risk his life in its defense and is conscious that he gains protection while he gives it. " -Andrew Jackson |
|
Character Education Tips and Resources
Facing History and Ourselves
Helping students make a connection between historical events and the choices they make in their own lives.
Government for Kids
A collection of links to the sites that government agencies have designed especially for kids.
Connect for Kids
This news site provides a central location for news stories and information about political choices that affect young people.
The American Library Association's Politics and Government directory
The ALA provides a list of great web sites for kids. Here are their recommendations for political and government sites for grades K-9.
Back to Top |
| |
"The future of this republic is in the hands of the American voter." -Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| In the News
This month we focus on articles about U.S. immigrants - examples of people who have decided to become United States citizens, and the responsibilities and promises that decision entails.
More applications and fewer new citizens
Even with a surge in the number of citizenship applicants last year, the number of new U.S. citizens who are approved has decreased.
Immigrants and election
The 2008 Presidential election has caused a huge increase in immigrant applications for U.S. citizenship.
Waiting for citizenship
U.S. citizen applicants find delays in processing their applications unfair after July fee increases that were supposed to help fund timely application processing.
Back to Top |
| |
Please send us your comments, suggestions, character education stories, and any other ideas that you think would be of value in helping us improve our newsletter. E-mail us today!
This newsletter is provided as a service to educators by Live Wire Media: Resources for Character Education, Guidance and Lifeskills. © Copyright Elkind+Sweet Communications, Inc. All rights are reserved.
To cancel your subscription, please click on the UNSUBSCRIBE link at the bottom of this message. |
