Getting Involved at School

Overview

In this lesson students will discuss how young people can become involved with government. Students work cooperatively to identify a problem in their school and develop a plan of action to rectify the problem.

Grade Levels

5 – 8

Objectives

Students will:

• describe the qualities of a person who is civically engaged;
• explain how young people can become involved with government; and
• identify a problem at school;
• propose possible solutions to the problem;
• develop a plan of action; and
• implement the plan.

Estimated Time

1 week

Materials Needed

• E-Learning Module: Getting Involved
• Internet connection with Macromedia FLASH ® enabled
• Projection device
• One piece of chalk and chalkboard or a marker and whiteboard

Procedure

Day 1

1. Ask students to describe the qualities of a person who is civically engaged. Students may say that people who are civically engaged vote, stay informed, or belong to an interest group. Write these qualities on a chalkboard or whiteboard
2. Show students "Being Engaged in Your Community" under Getting Involved in Your Community in the Getting Involved E-Learning module. Have students add items to their list of qualities of civically engaged people.
3. Ask students how young people can become involved. Students may say that they can belong to an organization or volunteer. Show students "Start Locally in Your Schools." This video is located in the Getting Involved in Your Community section of the Getting Involved E-Learning module. Discuss the importance of being involved in your local community and school.
4. Tell students that they will participate in a school service project.
5. As a class, identify some problems at school. Write this list on the chalkboard or whiteboard.
6. Have the class vote and choose one issue that is of most interest to them.
7. For homework, have students conduct research and gather information about the problem.

Day 2

1. Have students share the information they gathered about the problem.
2. Create a table on the chalkboard or whiteboard that sows possible solutions.
3. Have students select the most appropriate solution. Allow students to express their opinions and explain why one solution may be better than another.
4. Have students develop an action plan. When students are developing an action plan, they should consider the cost, time involved, how students, teachers, and administrators will react to the plan, and possible consequences of the plan.

Days 3 - 5

1. Have students implement the plan.

Extension Activities

Have students write an article for the school paper about their project. This article should also encourage other students in school to get involved.

Have students identify a problem in the local community and develop a plan for action.

Assessment

Basic Concepts and Processes

Ask your students to respond to the following requests for information and assess their knowledge of key concepts taught in this lesson.

1. Describe the qualities of a person who is civically engaged.
2. Explain how young people can become involved with government.
3. Describe a problem at school and propose possible solutions to the problem.
4. Describe a plan to rectify the problem.
5. Explain how the class implemented the plan.

Lesson Plan Feedback

If you have suggestions for improving this lesson plan, or if you have ideas for others using the module, please let us know. We value your input. Thank you!

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