Civic Engagement for Us?

Trustee: Charles Clymer
Subject: Civic Education, Government
Grade Level: 10-12
Topics: State and Local Government, Forms of Participation
Time: 45 minutes

View how this lesson plan first state standards

View the video or read the transcript

Materials:

• Computer with Internet access, external speakers, and a LCD projector OR access to a computer lab with Internet access and headphones for each student
• Updated Media Player recommended. Download QuickTime. Problems playing? Check our Media Help page.
• Worksheets (MS Word, PDF)
• Download Lesson Plan (MS Word, PDF)

Learning Objectives:

Students will:

1. differentiate between responsibilities of government at the national, state and local level;

2. examine forms & ways of civic engagement;

3. recognize the possibilities and opportunities for participation in the political process; and

4. write an expository/analytical paragraph.

PREVIEWING (20 minutes)

NOTE: This lesson comes as a continuation of “Young & Elected” featuring a high school student running for a city council. If you have not seen the video clip before, briefly introduce the topic of elections and civic engagement and watch the clip as a whole class.

1. On the board, write the beginning of a sentence (taken from the text of video):

• My age group stands for…

2. Start a class discussion by asking the students to continue the sentence individually in their notebooks. After 2-3 minutes invite students to share their thoughts and write down the list of answers on the board.

VIEWING & DISCUSSION (15 minutes)

1. As a class, watch the brief Charles Clymer video about his run for city council in Round Rock, Texas. The video can be accessed online at www.americantrusteesproject.org. If you have difficulties accessing the videos, please visit our Media Help page.

2. Ask students if they think that young elected official have an obligation to focus on representing young people? Why or why not? Elicit as many answers as possible.

3. Ask students to recall the division between national, state, and local government responsibilities. Pass out the WORKSHEET and ask students to complete in it pairs.

4. For each level of government, ask students to name issues concerning young people in general or for their generation in particular that can be addressed there. Make sure the students come up with several examples for each level of government.

APPLICATION (10 minutes)

1. Point out to students that young people have a vested interest in politics and can change the way politicians handle issues related to young people.

2. Break the class into small discussion groups and invite them to consider the following question:

• What sorts of organized efforts might bring more young people into political participation, including electoral politics?

• What can institutions (city council, the legislature, universities, etc.) do to expand and enhance civic engagement?

• Encourage groups to brainstorm the options. To make the activity more dynamic, organize a competition among the groups to name as many ways as possible to engage young people.

3. Pull all the options together and vote on the three most popular ideas.

4. To wrap up, ask the students to reflect on what they have learned about young people, politics, and civic engagement. Ask them to write a paragraph offering a (young) person advice on how to run for office.

ASSESSMENT

Students may be assessed on:
1. completion of the WORKSHEET;
2. writing skills; and
3. participation in the classroom discussion.

• Voice & Action: Active or Passive
  
  Trustee: Barbara Brown, Amy Wong Mok, or Charles Clymer
  Grade Level: 10-12
  Time: 65 minutes
  Description: Students analyze and describe the concept of political participation.
  
  
• Nominate An American Trustee
  
  Trustees: All
  Grade Level: 9-12
  Time:5-6 45 minutes classes
  Description:The students will define community leadership, conduct library and internet research, write a report on a community leader and submit the nominee on the website.
  
  
• Young and Elected
  
  Grade Level:10-12
  Time:90 minutes
  Description: Examine challenges and successes young leaders face when campaigning, fund raising, and dealing with potential voters.
  
  
• Civic Engagement for Us?
  
  Trustee: Charles Clymer
  Grade Level: 10-12
  Time: 90 minutes
  Description: Examine forms of civic engagement and responsibilities of government at various levels.
  
  
• A Matter of Age
  
  Trustee: Charles Clymer
  Grade Level: 9-12
  Time: Two 45 minute class periods
  Description: Students will investigate, research, and give a presentation about young elected officials in their local, state, or national community.
  
  

AND if desired,
Download plug-in to view MS Office content