How can we make learning about local government engaging and memorable?
Shari Wennik, a fourth grade teacher at Echo Lake Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington, wanted to engage her students in understanding local government and how it addressed issues of affordable housing. She used the Storypath, Democracy in Action: Communities Make Decisions to help students navigate the complexities of local government. For the setting of their story, students created their version of downtown Seattle with iconic buildings and sights. Each student then created a character who lived and worked in the community. Once the setting and characters were established, local government structure and roles were introduced. Students considered which characters would serve as mayor, city council members as well as zoning commissioners. The stage was set for the plot of the story: how to make housing affordable in Seattle. Students research affordable housing and considered where in Seattle affordable housing should be located. Not everyone agreed…. Watch the short Civic Education Summit video to learn how fourth graders navigated this complex and real-life problem.
How can we teach about the presidential election when times are so contentious?
That is a challenge for teachers who want to teach about the election—any election these days. The Presidential Election Storypath (easily modified for any state elections), creates a narrative where students create their own parties, party platforms, slogans and so forth. They then take on the role of candidates and campaign workers to engage in high quality civic learning.
Two classrooms at Echo Lake Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington, engaged in this Storypath unit and elected presidents. The photos highlight their work, but they had the added bonus of traveling to the state capitol to be sworn in by Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst with Governor Jay Inslee observing the proceedings. Watch the short video clip of the oath of office, but most importantly, listen to the two presidential speeches. You’ll be inspired.
Many people worked collaboratively to make this all come together. Karen Nicholson and Allan Rand were the fifth grade teachers. The Public Legal Education Board arranged for the event in Olympia as part of the Civic Learning Initiative for Washington State. Su Hickenbottom, teacher extraordinaire and now retired, was the originator of the first Presidential Election Storypath many years ago.
For more information or a copy of the Presidential Election Storypath, contact the author, Margit McGuire
Two classrooms at Echo Lake Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington, engaged in this Storypath unit and elected presidents. The photos highlight their work, but they had the added bonus of traveling to the state capitol to be sworn in by Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst with Governor Jay Inslee observing the proceedings. Watch the short video clip of the oath of office, but most importantly, listen to the two presidential speeches. You’ll be inspired.
Many people worked collaboratively to make this all come together. Karen Nicholson and Allan Rand were the fifth grade teachers. The Public Legal Education Board arranged for the event in Olympia as part of the Civic Learning Initiative for Washington State. Su Hickenbottom, teacher extraordinaire and now retired, was the originator of the first Presidential Election Storypath many years ago.
For more information or a copy of the Presidential Election Storypath, contact the author, Margit McGuire