CMS Secondary Inservice Handout

Civic Learning in Charlotte For more information visit www.kidsvoting.org and watch for e-news updates

Providing the opportunity for K-12 civic education in Charlotte Kids Voting Mecklenburg connects classroom education with community civic learning opportunities help students in school (supporting K-12 goals in history, civics and language arts), build civic literacy and develop young people as effective citizens and leaders. Civics in Action: Programs and Resources Kids Voting Mecklenburg programs and resources effectively combine classroom education and community learning opportunities to maximize comprehension and impact. It’s the best way for students to develop civic literacy and build leadership skills. Classroom Resources Aligned to NC Standard Course of Study Themes center on government, citizenship, leadership Civic Education partners

o Kids Voting o Civic Action Project o Civic Education Consortium

o iCivics o Newspapers in Education o Others

Guides aligning civic education resources to local government resources, leaders, issues Local curriculum and resources about local/state/national government, leaders, civic

participation, current events, etc. Teacher support

Civic Learning Opportunities Youth Civics/Local Government Youth Voice/Civic Leadership Civic Learning Center – resources for civic learning opportunities through the year Kids Voting Election Ways to connect to local government, leaders and opportunities for civic participation Special events: Constitution Day, Election Day, MLK Day, President’s Day, State of the

Union, Black History Month, local government budgeting, 2012 Elections and Conventions, debates and more

Contact Amy Farrell, Executive Director Kids Voting Mecklenburg Email: [email protected] Phone: 704-343-6999 Web: www.kidsvoting.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/kidsvotingcharlotte

Kids Voting Mecklenburg 704-343-6999 [email protected]

Twitter: www.twitter.com/kidsvotingclt

Overview – 1

Web: www.kidsvoting.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/kidsvotingcharlotte

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.kidsvoting.org/

http://www.facebook.com/kidsvotingcharlotte

Education Impact

For more information visit www.kidsvoting.org

Kids Voting Mecklenburg educates K-12 students about government, leadership and citizenship through a combination of classroom education and community learning opportunities. Programs and resources help students in school (civics, history, reading, writing and more), build civic literacy and develop young people as effective citizens and leaders. Targets learning opportunities for high school students, especially 10th grade civics

through local and state government

Introduces civic concepts in grades K-8 through connections to reading, writing, math and social studies

o Helps reading comprehension of information and nonfiction, communication skills, writing opinions and more

o Links civic learning to grade-level focus – study of community, state, nation and global studies to enable students to connect real-world experiences with historic and global topics

Addresses the civic learning achievement gap

Develops 21st century learning skills, leadership and citizenship

Makes local government and civic learning relevant, accessible and meaningful

Links classroom learning with community experience to boost comprehension

Increases standards-based resources available to 5,000 teachers

Increases learning opportunities available to 140,000 students

Standards-based

K-8 social studies and language arts

Civics and Economics, US History, World History

Civic literacy: multidisciplinary, 21st century learning

Connects to all core subjects

Persuasion, argument

Gathering and evaluating information

Critical thinking

Making decisions

Comparing and contrasting information, drawing inferences and making conclusions

Connecting personal knowledge and local issues with national, global or historic events

Analyzing data

Solving problems

Communication, collaboration, technology skills



Education Impact – 1



Classroom Resources Overview For more information visit www.kidsvoting.org

Kids Voting Mecklenburg educates K-12 students about government, leadership and citizenship through a combination of classroom education and community learning opportunities. Programs and resources help students in school (civics, history, reading, writing and more), build civic literacy and develop young people as effective citizens and leaders. Classroom resources

Standards-based resources integrating the study of government, citizenship and leadership into different contexts

Useful tools that connect real-life experiences and current events with classroom education to increase student interest and comprehension

Easy to use, flexible and adaptable, plug into existing lesson plans, fit time requirements and curriculum goals

Organized in one place – you don’t have to search the web for content

Relevant, usable throughout the year

Includes

Resources and tools at www.kidsvoting.org: Classroom Resource Library, Civic Learning Center, civic education resource links, government info, videos, games, etc.

Curriculum from civic education partners

o Kids Voting USA o Civic Education Consortium o Civic Action Project

o iCivics o Newspaper in Education o Others

• Guides aligning civics resources to local government resources, leaders, issues Local and state government resources, editable presentations, easy-to-understand

information about policies, issues and decisions

Education guides for civic learning opportunities including Constitution Day, Election Day, MLK Day, President’s Day, State of the Union, Black History Month, local government budgeting, 2012 Elections and Conventions, Debates and more

Civic learning opportunities connecting students with local government

Parent and teacher information about government and civic issues

Kids Voting Mecklenburg

704-343-6999 [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/kidsvotingclt

Classroom Resources – 1


How to access • E-newsletter and learning opportunity updates: sign up for list [email protected] • Available on website: www.kidsvoting.org • The Classroom Resource Library is in the Civic Education Section • The Civic Learning Center is accessible on the homepage and education section • Some PDF files are password-protected: civicliteracy





More information about Classroom Resources

Standards-based, easy-to-use lessons and resources from civic education partners

Kids Voting, Civic Ed Consortium, Civic Action Project, iCivics, Newspapers in Ed, others

Locally-developed tools and resources linked to Charlotte-Mecklenburg

Civic Learning Center

Accessible through www.kidsvoting.org

Highlights educational resources and learning opportunities (teachers, parents, students)

Quickly share info, digital content, highlight current events and learning opportunities

Classroom Resource Library

250+ lessons for elementary, middle and high school

Guides aligning civic learning to NC Standard Course of Study

K-8 Social Studies and Language Arts

High School World History, Civics & Economics and US History

Local government links, map, posters, editable presentations and other resources

Educator’s guides, ESL lessons, curriculum summaries and more

Classroom Resources and Learning Opportunities positively impact students

Elementary

Introduce students to civics concepts through reading, writing, math and social studies

Themes about civics, community, government, leadership, history

Aligned to NCSCOS

Increases learning opportunities tied to social studies, reading and writing

Middle

Continue civic learning process

Use local, state and national government and civics to compare, contrast and illustrate Global Studies in 6th and 7th grades and North Carolina study in 8th grade

History of democracy, citizenship, leadership, government at different levels

Strong linkages to language arts goals, especially reading information and public documents, critical thinking, evaluating information and writing

High

9th grade – World History foundations of democracy, comparative politics, civics

10th grade – Multiple Civics & Economics goals and objectives, especially state and local government, leadership, civic participation and responsibility, politics, law

11th grade – Foundations of US democracy, history of suffrage, politics, more



Classroom Resources – 2


Civic engagement and leadership opportunities, service-learning, more


Civics in Action: Learning Opportunities For more information visit www.kidsvoting.org and watch for e-news updates

Impact Combines classroom learning with real content and/or experiences The best way to build knowledge, skill and comprehension Learning opportunities narrow gaps among at-risk students

Elections and Voting: Kids Voting Election October and November Student mock election on local, state and national races; service-learning in polls

Voting available online, in polling places and at school

Additional opportunities for student council elections (remainder of year)

Government, Citizenship, Leadership: Civic Learning Opportunities

All year

Discussion questions, resources and education guides for current and special events

Constitution Day, Election Day, MLK Day, President’s Day, State of the Union, Black History Month, local government budgeting, 2012 Elections, Conventions, Debates, more

Opportunities to visit, learn about and interact with government and leaders

Local Government and Law: Youth Civics Program November-December/ February-April; Resources through year

Students learn about local government and visit government meetings, courts, media

Different opportunities

o 6-week evening program (high school students only)

o Instruction for students visiting government meetings for extra credit

o Government presentations and resources for the classroom or home study

o Being developed: videos and other online resources; students watch meetings on TV or online, participate in polls, text response and other ways to engage

Youth Voice and Civic Leadership September-May

Youth civic leadership council of high school students who identify and address school/community issues and advise local government leaders

Civic leadership mentoring

All high school students invited to participate

Being developed: opportunities to participate at school and via web



Learning Opportunities – 1


Being developed: video resources and curriculum for all grades

Kids Voting Mecklenburg For more information visit www.kidsvoting.org and watch for e-news updates

Why does it matter? Many K-12 students don’t know how our governments and communities work. Why? Education trends, budget cuts and learning opportunity gaps. Without civic literacy, they can’t succeed in school and graduate, or become effective citizens and leaders. Who’s impacted? Everyone. Students – our future citizens, employees and leaders - know less about civics and history than other core subjects such as English, math and science. More than a third of economically-disadvantaged, Hispanic and black students do not succeed in these classes, required for graduation, compared to less than 10% of white students. Across all demographics, students score lowest on questions about local and state government. That knowledge is critical for our children, community and workforce. Providing the opportunity for K-12 civic education in Charlotte The organization connects classroom education with community civic learning opportunities to help students in school (supporting K-12 goals in history, civics and language arts), build civic literacy and develop young people as effective citizens and leaders. Launched in 1992 by former Charlotte Observer publisher Rolfe Neill with other civic leaders, Kids Voting Mecklenburg was initially an annual mock voting event. As the organization heads into its 20th year in partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and others in the community, Kids Voting Mecklenburg is now an organization with a wider impact on K-12 civic education and youth civic leadership. Civics in Action: Programs and Resources Kids Voting Mecklenburg programs and resources effectively combine classroom education and community learning opportunities to maximize comprehension and impact. It’s the best way for students to develop civic literacy and build leadership skills. YouthCivics – Teens learn about local government, leadership, budgets, economics,

careers and more through evening courses. The program is aligned to 10th grade Civics and Economics, a graduation requirement, and includes presentations by public officials, discussion of key issues and visits to government buildings and meetings. Additional resources are available for multiple age groups.

Youth Leadership and Voice – Leadership alliance of high school students who meet

regularly in government settings to discuss local issues and policies, engage with officials and build civic leadership, interests, skills and confidence. Students connect with leaders including Peter Gorman, Anthony Foxx, Jennifer Roberts, Eric Davis and others.

Kids Voting Mecklenburg | www.kidsvoting.org | 704-343-6999 | [email protected]

Kids Voting Election Experience – The traditional “Kids Voting” program engages tens of thousands of K-12 students in the democratic process. The program educates students about offices, candidates, elections and voting through mock votes in local,

state and national elections and service-learning in polling places. Over 45,000 students participated in 2010, and 75,000 in 2008.

K-12 Educational Resources - Free and easy-to-use activities and resources available

to 5,000+ Charlotte-area teachers. Age-appropriate resources cover topics including leadership, government, citizenship, law, critical thinking and decision making; Civic Learning Center and Classroom Resource Library; and, guides aligning civic learning to district and state goals in language arts and social studies. Civic education partners include Kids Voting, Civic Education Consortium, Civic Action Project, iCivics and NIE.

Teacher support – Leadership and professional development opportunities for K-12

teachers. Highlights best practices, fosters school leadership and collaboration, provides continuing education credits, and connects teachers to the community. The program is aligned with district and state objectives, including teacher performance criteria.

Give all students the advantage of civic education We’re educating students and building leaders – and there’s still work to be done. Your financial and volunteer resources provide current programs, build capacity and fuel growth to meet the needs of schools, students and the community. 2011-2012 is the ideal time to engage students in civic learning. Please help us to: Boost civic education from an early age – connect K-12 classroom education with

community learning opportunities and experiences

Narrow learning gaps - increase educational opportunities and resources to help students learn and connect civics to reading, writing, math, history and science

Increase teen civic learning and leadership opportunities – develop young citizens and leaders while helping them succeed in courses required for graduation

Increase civic literacy – help students (and their parents and teachers) to understand the roles and impacts of government, leaders and citizens

Strengthen young civic leaders and the community – give young people training, mentors and opportunities to get involved in community issues, policies and decisions

How you can help Connect your school or organization

Volunteer to help us educate students and build young civic leaders, or serve on a committee or the Board of Directors

Invest critical financial or in-kind resources to build Kids Voting Mecklenburg’s capacity and fuel growth to serve the needs of today’s students and schools

Kids Voting Mecklenburg Julian Wright, Chair Amy Farrell, Executive Director Phone: 704-343-6999 Email: [email protected] Web: www.kidsvoting.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/kidsvotingcharlotte and www.facebook.com/youthvoice

Kids Voting Mecklenburg | www.kidsvoting.org | 704-343-6999 | [email protected]

Mailing address: 700 East Stonewall Street - Suite 710, Charlotte NC 28202



http://www.facebook.com/kidsvotingcharlotte

http://www.facebook.com/youthvoice