Monthly Archives: September 2012

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Constitution Day Resources

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 From Joey Wiseman, WVDE:

http://billofrightsinstitute.org/mdrconday/

Constitution Day 2012

On Constitution and Citizenship Day, September 17, the U.S. celebrates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. In 2004, a law was passed establishing the holiday that honors both the signing of the Constitution and all individuals who have become citizens, whether born in the U.S. or by naturalization.

Here are some Annenberg Learner resources about the Constitution:

In the series The Constitution: That Delicate Balance, distinguished personalities in government, media, and law discuss constitutional issues such as criminal justice, personal freedoms, and presidential elections.

In Democracy in America, program 2, “The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible?” topics presented include different interpretations of the Constitution and the relationship between the President and Congress when creating laws.

More resources about the United States Constitution and citizenship:

Ethics in America
Ethics in America II

Making Civics Real: A Workshop for Teachers

A Biography of America, program 5, “A New System of Government”

The Western Tradition: Program 5, “The Rise of Greek Civilization,”
program 6, “Greek Thought,” program 37, “The American Revolution,” and
program 38, “The American Republic.”

American Passages archives. Search “Constitution” and other key terms.

Other Annenberg Resources for Constitution Day

The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands was established by the Annenberg Foundation to advance public understanding and appreciation for democracy and to address serious issues facing the country and the world. Among its many activities, the Sunnylands Trust creates and distributes print, online, and video materials on the Constitution for use on Constitution Day in September and beyond. To use these resources, visit the Sunnylands’ Constitution Project’s site for teachers, Sunnylands Classroom.

More free video programs and other materials for your Constitution Day events can be found on the Annenberg Classroom Web site

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Constitution Day

Robert C. Byrd inserted a provision into a massive spending bill that Congress passed in 2004 requiring every school and college that receives federal money to teach about the Constitution on Sept. 17, the day it was adopted in 1787. This year Constitution Day is being observed on Monday,  September 17, 2012.  Throughout his life, the West Virginia Democrat kept a copy of the Constitution in his pocket.   I hope that each and every one of us will take a few minutes to remember Senator Byrd on Constitution Day.

The federal government does not dictate when or how to implement the lesson. It was Senator Byrd’s intention that educators use creativity and find interesting ways to teach the lessons of the Constitution.  You may determine what kind of program you want to organize, (for example assembly, school play or reenactment, closed-circuit TV broadcast throughout the building followed by classroom discussion.) Below you will find a list of current resources available online to assist you with lesson plans, primary source documents, biographies, role-play scenarios and other activities too numerous to mention.

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/constitutionday/display/MainS/Home

The following resources are provided by the Annenberg Media Center. Many of the videos are now free online to use in your classroom you do not need to purchase videos to use the free online lesson plans. The sites are interactive and

  • This year Constitution Day is Friday, September 16. As you know, educational institutions receiving funding through the Department of Education are required to participate by holding educational programs pertaining to the U.S. Constitution (find the original announcement in the Federal Register <http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/retrieve.html> volume 70, page 29727).
  •  In the roundtable discussions of “Ethics in America”

<http://learner.org/redirect/september/eth3.html>, well-known figures in government, law, media, military, business, health care, and religion puzzle through constitutional issues and their application to         realistic hypothetical situations.

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Innovative assessments

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Innovative assessments that gauge historical thinking in easy-to-use, classroom-friendly ways. Clear rubrics that allow you to classify student responses using a simple 3-point scale.  Annotated examples of student work that help you interpret students’ historical thinking and push them further.

All of the things above can be found on this site:  http://beyondthebubble.stanford.edu/

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Electronic Field Trip

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Colonial Williamsburg’s Gift to the Nation Electronic Field Trip

“The Will of the People”

Register Now at http://giftnation.history.org

Complimentary Access September 1–30, 2012

Colonial Williamsburg’s Gift to the Nation in this election year provides teachers with unique resources to engage students in the study of citizenship and our founding democratic principles. The Electronic Field Trip “The Will of the People” examines the presidential election of 1800, one of the most bitter in U.S. history. Thomas Jefferson explains how negative campaigning and partisan politics have been a part of our political system since the earliest days of the republic.

Register Now at http://giftnation.history.org/

Courtesy Joey Wiseman, WVDE

 

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Mock Election Info-WVDE

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Courtesy Joey Wiseman, WVDE…

MOCK ELECTION

Registration Process

Teachers, administrators and parents – in U.S. schools throughout the globe (public, private and home) and with youth groups – are encouraged to register their classrooms/students at http://nationalmockelection.org/register. 

Who Will Students Elect in 2012?

My Voice™ National Student Mock Election gives students a voice

Register to vote at www.nationalmockelection.org, cast ballots starting October 25

 Washington, DC – August 28, 2012 – Today the largest student-driven civics project in the United States announced the opening of voter registration. The My Voice™ National Student Mock Election gives students across the country the opportunity to cast their votes for candidates in both the federal and state elections, and to talk about the issues they care about this fall and beyond.

 This program, a digital initiative of the Pearson Foundation, builds on the 30-year history of the National Student/Parent Mock Election and My Voice, the leading program in student voice. More than 50 million young voters have participated while learning about the importance of using their own voice to share their perspectives on important issues. In 2012, national student voting begins on October 25 and culminates on the National Mock Election day, November 1, in advance of the nation’s election.

For the first time this year, the National Student Mock Election will take place entirely online, as will student polling on national topics, social issues, education, and local communities. Students, teachers, and parents are encouraged to register their schools to take part at nationalmockelection.org.

 

More than 60 national civic, educational, and business organizations serve as cooperating organizations and partners. In 2012, along with the Pearson Foundation, partners include: American Association of School Administrators, Barquin International, BrainPOP, Council of the Great City Schools, Don’t Forget Ed,National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Association of Secretaries of State, National Association of Student Councils, National Council for the Social Studies, National School Boards Association, NIE Institute, Rand McNally, SAGE, and USA Today.

 

Teachers are encouraged to use the free materials and curriculum developed for the program to create thoughtful lessons leading up to and around the upcoming election of the president, U.S. senators and representatives, and state governors.

“Our goal is to help our country’s young people understand what ‘government of the people, by the people, and for the people’ really means,” said National Student/Parent Mock Election President Gloria Kirshner. “It is never too early to start empowering our future leaders to be involved and share their opinions about the issues that matter most.”

“The Pearson Foundation is committed to quality programs that provide civic engagement opportunities and ways for students, of all ages, to have their voices heard,” said Pearson Foundation President and CEO Mark Nieker. “Research confirms that student voice is a key driver in creating a better learning environment where students and their families are part of the decision making process for their schools.”

The National Student Mock Election was co-founded by Edward Stanley and Gloria Kirshner in 1980, as the National Student/Parent Mock Election. After three decades, and 18 elections, it still stands as the world’s largest national mock election. Over the years partners have included American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., CNN, Electronic Data Systems (now HP Enterprise Services), The New York Times, TIME Magazine, and others, all collaborating to help millions of students learn about our nation’s electoral process and the meaning of democracy.

For more information and to register to vote, go to www.nationalmockelection.org. Follow us on Twitter @MyMockElection, #MyElection and at Facebook.com/NationalMockElection.

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About the My Voice™ National Student Mock Election

This year, the Pearson Foundation is combining two great initiatives to involve U.S. students before, during, and after fall’s national election with a new program, the My Voice™ National Student Mock Election. The My Voice National Student Mock Election builds on the rich history of the National Student/Parent Mock Election, the country’s largest civic engagement project, which reached more than 5 million students in 2008, and on My Voice, the leading name in student voice. This single project – built on more than a half-century of experience – will engage students, parents, and educators all year long.

About the Pearson Foundation

The Pearson Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, extends Pearson’s commitment to education by partnering with leading nonprofit, civic, and business organizations to provide financial, organizational, and publishing assistance across the globe. The foundation aims to make a difference by sponsoring innovative educational programs and extending its educational expertise to help in classrooms and in local communities. More information on the Pearson Foundation can be found atwww.pearsonfoundation.org.

Media Contact:

Stacey Finkel, Stacey.finkel@pearsonfoundation.org, 703.304.1377