Government: Fall 2010Mrs. Bertola

Government Participation Project Guidelines

Citizenship is identified as the application of civic values to the process of resolving issues.

Foundation of Civics

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

What does this statement mean to you? Do you have any examples to share that

illustrate her statement?

Change in the World: Human Rights

Among opponents of apartheid in South Africa and internationally, Nelson Mandela became a symbol of freedom and equality.

His work changed the lives of millions, helping many obtain education, jobs, and the right to choose their leaders.

Change in the World:Civil Rights Rosa Parks, the "mother of the civil rights

movement" was one of the most important citizens of the 20th century.

Changes in the World: Environment Issues

Al Gore produced a film, An Incontinent Truth, which called for the world’s commitment to reversing the effects of global climate

change and

for care of

the environment.

What do Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks and Al Gore have in common?

Strong Civic Values!

Changes in the World:What other issues and problems are in our community and

others throughout the world? Children’s Rights Women’s Rights Religious Tolerance Hunger/Poverty/Homelessness Animal Rights Disaster Relief Illness: Cancer, AIDS, Diabetes, etc Others?

You CAN take action!

The attitudes you develop today will shape the quality of life for all of us.

All students in Government will be expected to demonstrate they understand what it means to be a responsible and involved citizen.

Objective You will be given an opportunity to

become involved in our community. Through your involvement, you will

develop a sense efficacy and social conscience.

You will experience personal involvement in effecting change.

Ideally, this experience will allow you to see that you can make a difference in the lives of others.

“But I can’t make changes in the world…..”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV6pr985_NM

Yes you can!!!!

What are the steps in this project?

Identify a problem, issue or concern at the local, state or national level.

Research your issue. Write an action plan to address this problem. Complete the action you have chosen. Write a paper describing the planning,

experience, and reactions of the project. The project is worth 5% of your quarter grade.

Rake-n-Run Activity: Meet at OP on a Saturday

morning (TBA). From 8am-2pm rake leaves for the elderly. 4-5 houses

Topics: Elder Depression, Elder Abuse Contact: Mrs. Georgatsos, room 208

PADS/Soup Kitchen/Northern Illinois Food Bank

Activity: Helping the poor by serving meals or setting up cots for them to sleep on.

Topics: Poverty/Hunger/Homelessness Contact:

http://www.lakecountypads.org/home.html http://www.northernilfoodbank.org/menu-si

de-aboutus-quickfacts.asp

Frog Monitor

Activity: After training by LCFP staff, Frog Monitors will regularly walk a trail in teams (2-3 visits), listening for frog calls, noting the nature, frequency and time of the calls, as well as the weather conditions.

Topics: Global Warming, Habitat Restoration Contact: Lake County Forest Preserve,  

Tom Smith, Stewardship Coordinator at 847-968-3329

Native Plant Seed Picking

Activity: Meet at Rollins Savannah. With the guidance of the LCFP staff, you will identify, record and pick native seeds. These will later be planted in the nursery.

Topics: Habitat Restoration, Referendums Contact: Lake County Forest Preserve.

Des Plaines River Clean-up Activity: Meet at Gowe Beach on a Sunday

morning (TBA). Walk along the trail/river and pick up waste. Recycle all findings with the group.

Topics: Water Pollution, Ground Pollution, Recycling, Marine Animal Extinction

Contact: MECS or Mrs. G, room 208 or Mrs. B Room 201B Date: October 31st, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

After School Clean-up

Activity: Walk the grounds of OP, Gurnee Village Hall, and Warren Newport Library to remove all waste and recycle. Date will be Tuesday, September 28th from 3:20-5:20.

Topics: Recycling, Ground Pollution Contact: Mrs. Georgatsos, room 208 or Mrs.

Bertola room 201B.

Courtyard Planting and Weeding Activity: Plant and weed in OP’s

courtyards, and North and South entrances. Every Tuesday in August and September, 3:20-4:00.

Topics: Teen Depression, Teen Crime Contact: Mrs. Georgatsos, room 208

Invasive Species

Activity: Identify and remove invasive species. August 28th, Rollins Savanna, 9 am. Other dates are available.

Topics: Invasive Species, Habitat Restoration

Contact: Lake County Forest Preserve,  Tom Smith, Stewardship Coordinator at 847-968-3329 or MECS

Emerald Ash Borer

Leafy Spurge

Trick or Treat Halloween Path

Activity: Dress up in a kid friendly costume. Guide children on trail while they trick or treat, and/or hand out candy.

Topics: Peer Mentoring, Safety Education Contact: Gurnee Park District

Habitat for Humanity

Activity: Help restore or build a local home for a family in need. Project duties will vary. Must be 16 years old to participate.

Topics: Poverty, Homelessness Contact: Waukegan Chapter 847-623-1020

Dog Walking

Activity: After a training session on dog walking, you will take homeless dogs for walks/play outside.

Topic: Animal Abuse Contact: Orphans of the Storm in

Deerfield, 847-945-0235

Walk for Literacy

Activity: Prior to the walk, you will raise money ($10 minimum) to help support literacy awareness in Lake County. On a Saturday in September (TBA), meet at Van Patten Woods to walk a 5K.

Topic: Literacy Contact: Mrs. Georgatsos room 208

Reading with Children

Activity: Meet at KinderCare with 10-15 books and read to children outdoors under a shaded tree.

Topics: Literacy, Peer Mentoring Contact: KinderCare 847- 360-1122 or

Mrs. Georgatsos room 208

Des Plaines River Sand Bagging Activity: In the unfortunate event that the

river floods, you will meet at the north entrance to help bag sand.

Topics: Community Service, Water Pollution

Contact: Gurnee Village Hall or listen for daily announcements

Helping People with Developmental Disabilities Activity: Painting/Decorating Walls outside

the Ann Kiley Center in Waukegan

Date: within the next month Topic: Developmental Disabilities (ex:

autism) Contact: Mrs. Bertola

Honoring our soldiers and veterans: http://www.serve.gov/sept11.asp

►Activity: Care Packages to soldiers►Topic: War, Military, Veterans►Contact: Mrs. Bertola Room: 201BOR various military/veteran organizations: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs: http://www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm?template=viewAmerican Legion: http://www.legion.org/

►Disabled American Veterans: http://www.dav.org/►American Legion►VFW

Volunteer on Vacation

Activity: Activities will vary from working with animals, marine life, forests, deserts, homeless, children, etc.

Topics: Will vary Contact: Do a web search on the location

you will be visiting.

Other choices of activities: Attend a political speech by a local or national politician

(many events with the election coming up!) Volunteer work with a political organization Participate in a governmental meeting (i.e. school board,

village board, city council….) Participate in area service projects Do a school drive to help the needy. (Shoes, school

supplies, books, food….) Volunteer at the local library Get involved in school reform (referendum, improvement

committees….) Teach a lesson at a pre-school, or elementary school Do an event with a school club: MECS, FBLA service

committee, or Students of Service Contact an interest group and attend one of their events. Attend a rally in support or opposition of an issue

Time to take action! What will you do to be a

responsible and involved citizen?