PLEASE READ THE EVENT DESCRIPTION THOROUGHLY. PRINT THE DESCRIPTION, AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. The ten 20-minute student programs in the My America series explore the basics of American government: how laws are made, ideals of a democratic government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy. Programs combine elements of traditional civics and social studies curricula with techniques and activities that encourage children to participate actively in their schools and local communities and to experience the democratic process. The underlying theme is that a democracy works best when everyone participates, and that each single vote and voice matters. America is defined not as the traditional melting pot, but as a country rich in diversity and community.
In each program, children give thought-provoking opinions on the featured topic. Documentaries use on-location footage and animation to provide historical context and relevant examples of children making a difference in their communities. A classroom modeling lesson demonstrates cooperative learning, and encourages children to use their creativity to bring alive the educational objective of each program. My America teaches in the voices of children in a way that respects their intelligence and natural curiosity.
About THIS Session: The presenter will discuss the meaning and purpose of having laws for our country and how the same concept relates to children's lives in the form of rules. Students will discover how adults and children alike can affect our laws by becoming involved with the passing of a bill. The feature video will cover the legal process of a bill becoming a law and how children can be involved in the process. Following the video, the presenter will model, with student input, writing a mock letter to a senator or other government official in order to express an opinion about an issue.
Educational Objective: To understand that we have laws to help people live together; to learn that in a democracy, the people help make the laws.
Student Concept: Who makes our laws? We do!
Video Preview: Laws help groups of people live and work together in harmony. Children define what laws are and why we have them. We see a club of actively involved Florida children raise funds, petition, and lobby their governor to save and protect manatees. The children try to get a law passed that would set speed limits for motorboats in areas where manatees swim. Children talk to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginzberg about how she nurtures the idea of equal justice under the law in her daily work interpreting the U.S. Constitution. A class starts on the road to making change by creating community action plans on specific social issues.
Registrants agree to provide each student with the following materials: - one 8 1/2 X 11 sheet of paper
- pencil
Following the ICN session, registrants receive the complimentary book The Election Book or alternate title by mail.
