CITIZEN ADVOCACY CENTER

 

FITNESS PLAN FOR DEMOCRACY

 

LESSON PLAN & ACTIVITIES

 

Grade Level:  7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
 

Subjects: 

 

Duration: 1 class session

 

Description: This lesson explores students’ level of students’ involvement in their local communities and in the greater democracy. 

 

Goals:

ISBE Standards:

1.      Social Science

·        14A:  Understand and explain basic principles of the United States government.

·        14B:  Understand the structures and functions of the political systems of Illinois, the United States and other nations.

·        14C:  Understand election processes and responsibilities of citizens.

·        14D:  Understand the roles and influences of individuals and interest groups in the political systems of Illinois, the United States and other nations.

·        16A:  Apply the skills of historical analysis and interpretation.

·        16B:  Understand the development of significant political events.

 

2. Language Arts

·        1A:  Apply word analysis and vocabulary skills to comprehend selections.

·        1B:  Apply reading strategies to improve understanding and fluency.

·        1C:  Comprehend a broad range of reading materials.

·        3A: Use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization and structure.

·        3B:  Compose well-organized and coherent writing for specific purposes and audiences.

·        3C:  Communicate ideas in writing to accomplish a variety of purposes.

·        4A:  Listen effectively in formal and informal situations.

·        4B:  Speak effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience.

 
Objectives:

1.      Evaluate students’ level of activity in their local community democracy;

2.      Exercise students’ civic muscles by having them become actively engaged in their communities.

 

Materials:

1.      Paper

2.      Pens

 

Instruction and Activities:

 

“Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their government, for whenever things go so far wrong to attract their notice, they can be relied on to set things right.”    Thomas Jefferson

 

“A popular government without proper information or the means of acquiring it is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy – or perhaps both.  Knowledge will forever govern ignorance;  and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”  James Madison

 

Questions for students:

What do these quotes mean to you?  Are they accurate?  Do you agree?

 

Are you informed about what is happening in your community?  Do you feel that other community members are informed? 

 

Do the people rule in your community – your school district, your neighborhood, your town, and your country?  Are the governors accountable to the governed?  Do you need to build more democracy?

 

A well-informed citizenry needs to be able to ask and answer some preliminary questions.  A democratic community needs to have answers that satisfy the residents.

 

Activity One

Below please find a quiz to see how informed and involved students are in their communities.  Ask students the following questions.  After you have reviewed the questions and student answers, divide the unanswered questions between students.  Each student should be responsible for finding the answers to his/her questions by looking on public body websites on the internet, calling local government and press offices, and attending public meetings.  Review students’ answers and how they acquired the information in class.

ACTIVE DEMOCRACY QUIZ

 

Who runs your community?

1.                   How many taxing bodies exist in your community or take money from it?

2.                   Who are all of your representatives at the federal, state, and local level?

3.                   How often are those folks elected?

4.                   What services does each level of government provide?

5.                   Are elected positions contested?

6.                   Are candidates subject to any financial disclosure or campaign finance limitations?

7.                   Does each entity have a binding and enforceable ethics code?

8.                   If so, who is covered by the code:  appointed as well as elected officials?

9.                   Under what circumstances does the public body take a roll call vote?

10.               How many constitute a quorum?

 

Public Access

11.               How often do your representatives meet?

12.               Are those meetings open to the public?

13.               Do public officials allow public comment at their meetings?

14.               Are the public meetings shown on cable access television channels or on the internet?

15.               Does the press regularly cover all of the public bodies’ meetings?

 

Public Records

16.               How do you get record information from a public body?

17.               How long does the public body have to respond to a freedom of information act request?

18.               How much does the public body charge for each page of information requested?

19.               Does the public body make materials such as meeting minutes and exhibits available for free on the internet?

20.               Are you entitled to a fee waiver for your request?

 

The Press

21.               How many newspapers serve your town?

22.               Who owns the local papers?

23.               What is the letter to the editor policy of the local paper?

24.               Are your letters printed?

25.               Does the press provide accurate coverage of local government issues and events?

26.               How often are reporters who cover your town rotated or “turned over?”

27.               Does your paper engage in investigative reporting?

28.               Will your paper print hostile letters to the editor that are critical of its coverage/reporting?

 

The Public

29.               How many people show up for meetings of each public body?

30.               How many young people regularly attend public meetings?

31.               Is there an impartial observer always there from the press or League of Women Voters, for example?

32.               Do all people feel welcome to make a public comment?

Activity Two

 

Now that your students have identified what they know about the community around them, develop a Fitness Plan for Democracy for each student.  Use the following handout as a guide.  Have each student take prolonged, sustained steps toward becoming an active member of their community throughout the semester/school year. 

 

1.                  Have students chronicle their Fitness Plan experience in a weekly journal.

2.                   Evaluate students’ progress and reactions to their Fitness Plans periodically throughout the semester/year. 

3.                  Do they feel as though they are better educated about community events?  Do they feel as though they are contributing to society?  How does that make them feel?  Do they feel empowered to do more?  What is their next step?

FITNESS PLAN

FOR

DEMOCRACY

 

Take Stock of Your Civic Health

*          Am I all members of my family registered to vote at our current address?

*          Do I know who represents my interests at all levels of government and when they come up for re-election or reappointment?

*          Do I know how to participate on issues of importance to me?

 

Warm-up on a Daily Basis

*          Did I read the newspaper today?

*          Do I know what is going on in my world, locally, nationally, and internationally?

*          Did I make a phone call or send a letter for democracy today?

-                     to my public officials?

-                     To/for organizations in which I participate?

-                     To my friends and associates?

-                     To a radio show or a newspaper?

-                     To mobilize anyone?

 

Follow Proper Technique

*          Am I familiar with how to request government-held information?

*          Do I know about the Open Meetings law?

*          Did I go to any public meetings?

*          Do I have the facts?  Have I read or heard information from more than one source?

*          Have I reached an educated opinion?

*          Do I have my own specific recommendations?

*          Do I know the effects of the actions that I am recommending?

*          Have I made my opinions known to those responsible for the situation?

*          Have I volunteered publicly?

*          Have I told others about the issue?

-                     Have I called in to radio programs?

-                     Have I written a letter to the editor?

-                     Have I volunteered on a cable access show?

-                     Did I send email?

-                     Have I circulated or signed a petition?

-                     Did I become a member of any civic organizations?

 

Build Endurance

*          Have I set an example for others?

*          Have I organized and inspired others to become active?

*          Have I made a contribution of time, money, or ideas to organizations dedicated to my concerns?

*          Have I encouraged others to become leaders?

 

Evaluation of Program

*          Have I followed through on my program?

*          Do I need to make revisions to make participating on a regular basis possible?

*          Am I happier leading an active civic life?

*          Have I made a contribution to my community, my country, and my world?

©Copyright 2005 Citizen Advocacy Center.  All rights reserved.  No part of this lesson plan may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior, written permission of the Citizen Advocacy Center. The Citizen Advocacy Center is a 501(c)(3) non-pofit, non-partisan community based legal organization. For information about the Center, or to make a tax deductible contribution, visit www.citizenadvocacycenter.org, call 630.833.4080. The Center is located at 238 N. York Rd., Elmhurst IL 60126