| Teacher Name-: EJ
Von Schwann |
Date-: September
13, 2005 |
| Grade Level-: 7-8 |
Subject-: Social
Studies |
| Title-: Character
and Citizenship Education |
Unit-: Civics |
| Period-: 3 |
| Title--: |
Social Studies |
| Focusing Event/Introduction-:
| The purpose of an elementary school
character education program is to develop social health traits including
citizenship, honesty, respect for others, kindness, cooperation, courtesy,
respect for home, school, and community environments, and generosity.
Teachers and parents and other significant adult should be models
in these areas. A guest speaker will be invited to the classroom.
He/She will be someone who demonstrates good citizenship in their
jobs or in a volunteer capacity. This will be an introduction into
transitioning from knowledge to actions. The students will have a
set of questions prepared to ask the speaker. A chart of socially
healthy traits is posted in the classroom. This is the result of previous
lessons on character education. Students will add to this chart after
the discussion with the guest. This will serve as a motivator and
a review for the students. |
| Key Concepts/Goals-:
| Students will be able to recognize characteristics
of a socially healthy citizen. Students will be able to transition
from knowledge and understanding of socially healthy traits to applying
these in everyday life as a good citizen. |
| Objectives/Performance
Indicators-:
| 1. Each student will identify two or
three specific actions he or she can accomplish to practice good citizenship.
2. Each student will research and agree to accomplish one social health
action before the end of the week. This will be done with a partner. |
| Materials/Resources-:
| Display chart of socially healthy characteristics
of a person and ultimately, a good citizen. Computer for research
and writing. Large map of the USA Individual state outlines for the
students to use on the map. Markers, crayons, pencils, etc. |
| Curriculum Standards-:
|
NSS-C.K-4.5 ROLES OF THE CITIZEN What
are the Roles of the Citizen in American Democracy? What does it
mean to be a citizen of the United States? How does a person become
a citizen? What are important rights in the United States? What
are important responsibilities of Americans? What dispositions or
traits of character are important to the preservation and improvement
of American democracy? How can Americans participate in their government?
What is the importance of political leadership and public service?
How should Americans select leaders?
NL-ENG.K-12.4 COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language
(e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively
with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.
NL-ENG.K-12.5 COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use
different writing process elements appropriately to communicate
with different audiences for a variety of purposes.
|
| Procedure/Demonstration/Explanation-:
| A Map of the USA will be displayed on
a bulletin board. Each student will be given two or three states as
puzzle pieces to be placed on the map. Using a transparency to demonstrate,
the teacher will explain that students will write a personal trait
on each of the puzzle pieces. These are socially healthy traits that
can be used as good citizens. They are to write the trait, color the
puzzle piece and glue it on the map. After completing the map, the
students will discuss how each of them is important in helping to
make our world a better place. Everyone plays an important role in
accomplishing this task. When this is completed, the students will
partner with someone who has a different trait or gift. They will
research on line, brainstorm how to transform these talents into action,
through an act of volunteering. This will be presented to the teacher
who will approve and offer supervision for these efforts. Teacher
assistants, parents and other volunteers can assist the students in
this venture. The students will be given one week to perform this
task. The partners will complete a presentation to be given in the
classroom to parents, to demonstrate good citizenship. |
| Accommodations for Special
Needs-:
| Some students may need one on one assistance
from the teacher or aide. Students may choose to make transparencies,
slide presentations, etc. to make this task more challenging. |
| Closure-:
| A presentation from the partners will
be used as a review of what has been learned about character traits
and being a good citizen. This will take place after a week of volunteering
has been completed. Parents will be invited to attend. Hopefully,
this will be ongoing and parents will join their children in volunteering. |
| Assessment / Evaluation-:
| Student presentations will be assessed
by addressing the following questions: Where did we go to volunteer?
Why did you choose this? How did this change the lives of those you
helped? How has this changed your life? What will you do in the future
to continue contributing to society? |
| Teacher Reflection-:
| Teacher will realize time that is needed
to accomplish the objectives of this activity. Classes will be given
in character education before this activity can be put into action.
Do the students need more time to research? Be cautious will allowing
the development of this lesson. Supervision is to maintained in this
activity. Students will have an adult with them at all times. |
