2011-12_Overview_Teachers

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Civic Education & Learning Opportunities in Charlotte

2011-12 Introduction


Without civic literacy,

students can’t graduate

or become effective citizens and leaders


Civic Literacy

Knowing how governments & communities work – Understand government– Participate in civic life– Exercise rights, obligations of citizenship

• Local, state, national and global levels

– Understand implications of civic decisions

Why should it matter to me?


Civic Literacy

Social Studies, Reading, Writing

– Connect historical events - contemporary issues

– Connect local - global issues

– Compare different forms of government• Apply knowledge: local, state, national, global

– Gather, analyze, use info from different sources

– Express perspectives in response to issues

– Informational literacy


One organization provides

the opportunity for

K-12 civic literacy in Charlotte

Kids Voting Mecklenburg


More than a mock vote

1992: a mock election event

2011-12: year-long program with wider impact

– Civic education and leadership

Longtime CMS partner, other partners

– Increases K-12 classroom resources

– Increases K-12 learning opportunities

– Narrows gaps


More than a mock vote

Helps students in school– Civics & Economics– US and World History– Middle School Social Studies and LA– K-8 Reading, Writing and Social Studies

Builds knowledge and skills– Effective leadership and citizenship– 21st Century Skills


Civics in Action:Our Programs & Resources

Combining classroom education and community learning opportunities is the best way to increase civic literacy and

build youth leadership skills


Civic Education

21st century civic learning– Governments, issues, leaders– Current and historic events – Critical thinking, decisions

Multi-disciplinary– History, civics, reading, writing– Aligns civic learning to US, NC

and district goalsAge-appropriate topics

– Leadership, civic participation, economics, democracy, government, law


Civic Education

Connect lessons to real life– Guides aligning generic civics instruction with

our government, leaders, issues, documents– Relevant topics boost comprehension

Easy to use, flexible, standards-basedCivic education partners

Kids Voting Civic Education Consortium

iCivics Civic Action Project

Newspapers in Education Others


Civics in real life

Guides highlighting discussion questions, educational content and resources– Current Events

• Issues, news, government budgeting, policies, decisions

– Special Events• Constitution Day, Election Day, MLK Day, President’s

Day, State of the Union, Black History Month, more

– Political events• 2012 Elections and Conventions, Debates


Classroom Resources

How to access– Website: www.kidsvoting.org

• Classroom Resource Library– Some PDFs need password: civicliteracy

• Civic Learning Center accessible on home page and education section

– or directly at www.kidsvotingcharlotte.org

– E-News and updates• Sign up for civic learning highlights, opportunities

– School Representative• Shares information, curriculum updates, etc.

http://www.kidsvoting.org/

http://www.kidsvotingcharlotte.org/


Teacher support

Leadership and professional development opportunities for 250+ teachers annually

• Best practices in 21st century civic learning

• Foster leadership and collaboration

• Continuing education credits, recommendations

• Connect teachers to community

Aligned to district and state objectives including teacher performance criteria


Civics in Action

Grades K-12– Election Experience– Variety of Civic Learning Opportunities

High school– Youth Civics– Youth Voice – Leadership Alliance– Other connections to government, leadership


Election Experience

EDUCATING FOR DEMOCRACY Using the Kids Voting ballot, students vote on real candidates and issues and develop knowledge, habits and skills


Election Experience

Traditional “Kids Voting” programK-12 students engage in democracy

• Educates students about offices, candidates, elections and voting

• Service-learning in polling places• Voting at school, online, in polls

Annual community-wide participation• 2010: 45,000+ students in Charlotte• 2008: 75,000+ students in Charlotte


YouthCivics

Interaction with public officials, government

Educates students– Local government– Community issues– Civic leadership– Budget process– Public service– Media and digital literacy

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Students learn about CMS, city and county leaders, policies and budgets and visit

official meetings


YouthCivics

MEDIA LITERACY

Charlotte Observer editor Rick Thames explains the First Amendment and

how news is reported


YouthCivics

LAW, SKILLS

Superior Court Judge Hugh Lewis assists as a student jury eagerly debates and

reaches consensus in a

mock trial


Youth Voice/Leadership

LEARNING, LEADING

Exploring civic leadership, policies and

decisions with community leaders and

through student collaboration



Leadership allianceMeet regularly, in

government settingsIdentify and discuss

policies and issuesEngage with officialsBuild civic leadership,

communication skills, confidence

YOUTH CIVIC LEADERSHIP

Students discuss CMS policies with peers and Peter Gorman



RAISING VOICES, CITIZENS AND LEADERS

Interviewing candidates for school board, mayor and

county commission on issues important to young people

At the table to discuss important policies and issues and provide a valuable youth perspective in

decision-making


Civics in Action

Civic Education PLUS

– Combines classroom learning plus real

content and/or experiences

Best way to learn

– Builds knowledge, skill, comprehension

Narrows gaps


Helps students

Civics and Economics– Emphasis on Goals 3,4,5,6,10– Local and state government, civic involvement

US and World History– Connect historical events with current issues– Government, politics, civic involvement,

democracy


Helps students

Grades 6-8– Connect historical events with current issues– Compare and contrast, role-play through

fictional, historical or other appropriate perspective

– Government, politics, civic responsibilities– Clear linkages to Language Arts


Helps students

Grades K-5– Language Arts

• Informational text, communication skills, reading, writing, evaluating information, thinking critically

– Social Studies• Local, state and national government• Roles of citizens and leaders• History, economics• Civic participation, leadership


Helps students

Helps students in school• Civics & Economics• US and World History• Middle School Social Studies and LA• K-8 Reading, Writing and Math

Builds knowledge and skills, civic literacy• Effective leadership and citizenship• 21st Century Skills

Narrows gaps


Ways to Connect

At school• School Representative

• Department Chair

Direct• Website: www.kidsvoting.org

• Sign up for email, news, updates



Connect

Connect to Kids Voting– Amy Farrell, Executive Director– Email: [email protected]– Phone: 704-343-6999– Web: www.kidsvoting.org– FB: www.facebook.com/kidsvotingcharlotte– Twitter: www.twitter.com/kidsvotingclt– Civics resources: www.kidsvotingcharlotte.org

mailto:[email protected]


http://www.facebook.com/kidsvotingcharlotte

http://www.twitter.com/kidsvotingclt

http://www.kidsvotingcharlotte.org/