Civic Mentors

Overview

In this lesson students will watch a video in which political leaders discuss why they became involved. They will then consider what would encourage them to become civically involved. Students will also think about what qualities would make a person a good civic mentor. While keeping these qualities in mind, they will select one person from their family or local community to be their own civic mentor and create a trading card that describes this person.

Grade Levels

5 – 8

Objectives

Students will:

• describe what would encourage them to become civically involved;
• identify qualities that would make a person a good civic mentor; and
• select one person to be their civic mentor.

Estimated Time

2 days

Materials Needed

• E-Learning Module: Minority Civic Involvement
• Internet connection with Macromedia FLASH ® enabled
• Construction paper
• Colored Markers

Procedure

Day 1

1. Use a projection device to show students both videos from "Civic Mentors" in the Minority Civic Participation E-Learning module. Then facilitate discussion using the following questions:
• Why did the people from the video start participating in civic activities? What would encourage you to become involved?
• When asked about "civic mentors," the people from the video mentioned people from their family and local community that they looked up to. Can you think any family or friends that you would like to be your civic mentor?
2. Have students think about what they heard during the videos. Then have them think about the qualities that would make a person a good civic mentor. You may want to create a list of qualities and write them on the board.
3. For homework, have students interview five family members or friends and ask them to describe some civic activities they participate in. Then have students select one person to be their civic mentor.

Day 2

1. Provide students with construction paper and colored markers. Ask students to create a trading card that describes their civic mentor. They should draw a picture of their civic mentor on one side of the card. On the other side of the card, they should write facts about their mentor. These facts should describe some of the civic activities he or she is involved with and explain why other people may want him or her to be their civic mentor.
2. Allow students to share their cards with the class. If possible, display them in the classroom.

Extension Activities

Have students complete the Notable Members E-Learning Module and the Making a Difference Activity from the Democracy Kids Web site to learn about ordinary citizens who made a difference by becoming civically involved.

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. What would encourage you to become civically involved?
2. What qualities that would make a person a good civic mentor?
3. Identify one person that you think would be a good civic mentor. Why do you think that person would be a good civic mentor?

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!

Feedback: