United States citizens not only have individual rights as citizens but also responsibilities. It is important for children to learn how local governments balance these individual rights with the common good to solve local community problems. With these skills, students will be able to get along...
In a persuasive essay, learners describe the responsibilities of American citizenship and the cost of freedom. They connect how philanthropic action is a part of those costs. “Freedom isn’t free. It passes on an enormous debt to the recipient.”...
While reviewing the expectations for immigrants to become citizens, young people learn about their own rights and civic responsibility. They learn that freedom isn't free. It was purchased by service and requires continued responsibility of citizens to uphold the rights and expectations of the...
This lesson provides students with insight into the reasons why people flee their homes and what nonprofits and individuals do to support these vulnerable people and help them rebuild their lives. Through video and research, students gain the opportunity to imagine the life of a refugee, his/her...
Learners gain awareness of the attributes of justice, kindness, peace and tolerance in a civil society as they search for examples in political cartoons and newspaper comic strips. They create cartoons illustrating an aspect of civil society, and write a paragraph of explanation about their...
In this lesson, the students carry out their service plan to promote a positive school climate, then reflect on its impact and demonstrate their service-learning process to an audience.
An activity and picture book discussion illustrate the tendency for people to see differences as a reason to fight. As we see in political divisions, society can be torn apart by factions. Differences provide an opportunity to be curious about someone else. Factions may also have a...
Learners examine the statistics of voter turnout in the Federal Elections and from these statistics the learners draw some comparative conclusions.
"Freedom songs" were an important motivating force during the Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1968. Through music we explore the important figures in the Civil Rights Movement and their contribution to the common good....
The purpose of this lesson is to have students recognize the idea of an emerging democracy, analyze the struggles of the people, and decide on a way to help the people.