Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE

The LEAGUE

My Country, My Community
Unit of 3 lessons
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9th-12th Grade
Subjects:

Arts, Language Arts, Library / Technology and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view
Lesson 1 : ART-M: Music: Create/Communicate
 ELA: Analyze/Interpret; Constructing Meaning; Creative Writing; Response to Text/Others
 PHIL: Civil Society; Values
 SOC: Bill of Rights; Branches of Government; Citizenship/Civic Engagement; Core Democratic Values; Democratic Values; Freedom; Government; Immigration; Laws; LEAGUE Wildcard Lesson: Art From The Heart
Lesson 2 : ELA: American Story (An); Character Development; Cultural/Historical Contexts; Ethics; Journaling; Questioning
 PHIL: Activism; Common Good; Community; Heroes; Hispanics; Respect; Time/Talent/Treasure
 SOC: Core Democratic Values
Lesson 3 : ELA: Expository Writing; Peer Review; Persuasive Techniques; Social/Cultural Issues; Writing Process
 PHIL: Time/Talent/Treasure
 SOC: Amendments to Constitution; Bill of Rights; Civic Responsibility/Virtue; Core Democratic Values; Democratic Values; Individual Rights; Point of View; Values

Unit Overview:

In this unit learners will make the connection between freedoms and responsibilities of American citizenship. Learners will review knowledge of United States history and government necessary to become a naturalized citizen. They will study various symbolic elements which represent freedom, such as the American flag and the National Anthem. They will form opinions about the role of present day citizens and their responsibility in contributing to lasting freedom. Finally they will write a persuasive essay in which they determine the cost of freedom.

Unit Purpose:

<P>Learners will describe requirements for naturalized citizens and explain how rights given to citizens also require civic responsibility. They will analyze the words of the <I>National Anthem</I> and update it with a new verse, which includes today’s concept of freedom. Learners will recognize the importance of taking action in defense of Core Democratic Values. They will write a persuasive essay on the cost of freedom and determine if philanthropy is a duty of citizenship.</P>

Unit Objectives:

The learner will:

  • discuss reasons for immigration into the United States.

  • describe the rights and responsibilities that come with U.S. citizenship.

  • define freedom and compare citizens’ feelings about the National Anthem over time.

  • identify examples of philanthropic behavior in the movie “An American Story.”

  • define philanthropy and describe how it contributes to the common good.

  • recognize acts of philanthropy in the community.

  • describe the characteristics of persuasive writing and demonstrate them in a persuasive essay.

  • identify Core Democratic Values that describe the privilege and responsibilities of citizenship.

Service Experience:

Although lessons in this unit contain service project examples, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

As a resource for others, learners will tape their persuasive essays or display them in the Media Center. They will include the best essays which respond to the theme: “Freedom isn’t free. It passes on an enormous debt to the recipient.”

Unit Assessment:

Learners will use their knowledge of persuasive writing techniques and Core Democratic Values to respond to an essay theme on the cost of freedom. This essay may be used as a unit assessment.

School/Home Connection:

  • “Copy-and-Paste” Class/School Newsletter Information Insert:
    Learners will be combining their knowledge of citizenship duties and responsibilities and using their writing skills to produce a persuasive essay on the cost of freedom. The essays on the topic, “Freedom isn’t free. It passes on an enormous debt to the recipient,” will be displayed (taped) for exhibition by others in the School Media Center.

  • Interactive Parent / Student Homework:
    Learners will interview a person in the community he or she believes is a philanthropist. Interview Questions (Attachment Five, Lesson Two: “An American Story” The Responsibility of Citizenship) will be used.

Notes for Teaching:

Lesson Two: “An American Story” The Responsibility of Citizenship, Attachment Two, contains an eighty question study guide. Questions are coded to reveal their purpose. Determine ahead of time which questions will be used. In reproducing the study guide, only those questions which fit the teacher’s purpose for the lesson should be used. Do not attempt to use all eighty questions.

State Curriculum and Philanthropy Theme Frameworks:

See individual lessons for benchmark detail.

Lessons Developed and Piloted By:

Georgia Sharp
Portland Public Schools
Portland High School
745 Storz Ave.
Portland, MI 48875

John Mikulski
Portland Public Schools
Portland High School
745 Storz Ave.
Portland, MI 48875

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