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CDV, CDV, What's a CDV?

Lesson 1:

From Unit Make the Connection! Core Democratic Values and Philanthropy

Lesson

Handouts

Academic Standards

Philanthropy Framework

6th-8th Grade

Subjects:

Library / Technology, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

PHIL:	Family
SOC:	Common Good; Constitution of the United States; Core Democratic Values; Values

Purpose:

The purpose of this lesson is to acquaint students with the Core Values of American Democracy or Core Democratic Values.

Duration:

Two or Three Sixty-Minute Class Periods

Objectives:

The learner will:

define and give examples of Core Democratic Values.
identify and describe the two categories of Core Democratic Values (Fundamental Beliefs and Constitutional Principles).

Materials:

CD or cassette player
Dictionaries, textbooks, computers (optional), and encyclopedias
Chart paper or overhead projector
Core Values of American Constitutional Democracy (Attachment One)
Descriptors (Attachment Two)
Scoring Guide for Songs and Definitions (Attachment Three)

Handout 1: Core Values of American Constitutional Democracy
Handout 2: Descriptors
Handout 3: Scoring Guide for Songs and Definitions

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:

Begin the lesson by playing the song "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" by the Hollies or "Bridge over Troubled Waters" by Simon and Garfunkel. Another song may be substituted, but the lyrics should be about doing something for others or for the good of all.

Discuss the song that was played and the meaning of the lyrics. Replay the song if necessary.
Introduce the term Core Democratic Values. As a class, brainstorm possible meanings of the term. Give students the following definition to use:
Core democratic values are the fundamental beliefs and constitutional principles of American Society which unite all Americans.
Direct the students to the two categories of Core Democratic Values: fundamental beliefs and Constitutional principles as listed in Core Values of American Constitutional Democracy (Attachment One). Discuss possible reasons for the division. Ask students if they can find a common thread between the values listed in each category.
While students may learn about core democratic values in school, most often they already have a sense about these values from home values and family expectations of behavior. Ask students to identify which of these values are often stressed at home (truth, freedom of religion, patriotism, equality, etc.)
With students in cooperative groups, assign two to three terms to each group and ask students to locate the definitions using a dictionary, computer, textbook, or encyclopedia. As a teacher aid, use Descriptors (Attachment Two) for Core Democratic class discussion ideas.
Have students share their information in the form of a song to be sung in class. The students will select a tune to adapt to instruct the rest of the class on the definitions they found. (Teachers: Be prepared to do a sample yourself. Your students will be more willing to do participate if they see you are willing to take risks.)
At the conclusion of the songs, compile a list with the students of all the definitions. This will become the study list for a matching exercise to be administered as an assessment tool.

Assessment:

Students will be graded on the accuracy of the definition in their song. Scoring Guide for Songs and Definitions (Attachment Three) may be used to evaluate the learning. A matching test may also be administered.

Bibliographical References:

The Center for Civic Education Web-site http://www.civiced.org/. Civitas: A Framework for Civic Education. Scroll down to "Politics and Government in the U.S." Click on Topic 1, "Fundamental Values and Principles."
Diane Newby, professor at Central Michigan University, has a Web-site dedicated to the Core Democratic Values. Web-site address: http://www.edcen.ehhs.cmich.edu/~dnewby/coredvalues1.html
Michigan Department of Education Web-site: http://www.mde.state.mi.us/
Learning to Give Web-site: http://learningtogive.org

Lesson Developed and Piloted by:

Thomas Webb
Fulton Schools
Fulton Middle School
Middleton, MI 48856

Handouts:

Handout 1Print Handout 1

Core Values of American Constitutional Democracy

Core democratic values are the fundamental beliefs and constitutional principles of American Society which unite all Americans. These values are expressed in the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and other significant documents, speeches, and writings of the nation. Below are some examples of core democratic values.

Fundamental Beliefs	Constitutional Principles
Life	The Rule of Law
Liberty	Separation of Powers
Pursuit of Happiness	Representative Government
The Common Good	Checks and Balances
Justice	Individual Rights
Equality	Freedom of Religion
Diversity	Federalism
Truth	Civilian Control of the Military
Popular Sovereignty
Patriotism

Source: CIVITAS: A Framework for Civic Education, a collaborative project of the Center for Civic Education and the Council for the Advancement of Citizenship, National Council for the Social Studies Bulletin No. 86,1991.

Handout 2Print Handout 2

Descriptors

Fundamental Beliefs
Life:	The individual's right to life should be considered inviolable except in certain highly restricted and extreme circumstances, such as the use of deadly force to protect one's own or others' lives.
Liberty:	The right to liberty is considered an unalterable aspect of the human condition. Central to this idea of liberty is the understanding that the political or personal obligations of parents or ancestors cannot be legitimately forced on people. The right to liberty includes personal freedom: the private realm in which the individual is free to act, to think and to believe, and which the government cannot legitimately invade; political freedom: the right to participate freely in the political process, choose and remove public officials, to be governed under a rule of law; the right to a free flow of information and ideas, open debate and right of assembly; and economic freedom: the right to acquire, use, transfer and dispose of private property without unreasonable governmental interference; the right to seek employment wherever one pleases; to change employment at will; and to engage in any lawful economic activity.
The Pursuit of Happiness:	It is the right of citizens in the American constitutional democracy to attempt to attain - to "pursue"- happiness in their own way, so long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others.
Common Good:	The public or common good requires that individual citizens have the commitment and motivation - that they accept their obligation - to promote the welfare of the community and to work together with other members for the greater benefit of all.
Justice:	People should be treated fairly in the distribution of the benefits and burdens of society, the correction of wrongs and injuries, and in the gathering of information and making of decisions.
Diversity:	Variety in culture and ethnic background, race, lifestyle, and belief is not only permissible but desirable and beneficial in a pluralist society.
Truth:	Citizens can legitimately demand that truth-telling as refraining from lying and full disclosure by government be the rule, since trust in the veracity of government constitutes an essential element of the bond between governors and governed.
Popular Sovereignty:	The citizenry is collectively the sovereign of the state and holds ultimate authority over public officials and their policies.
Patriotism:	Virtuous citizens display a devotion to their country, including devotion to the fundamental values and principles upon which it depends.
Source: CIVITAS: A Framework for Civic Education, a collaborative project of the Center for Civic Education and the Council for the Advancement of Citizenship, National Council for the Social Studies Bulletin No. 86, 1991.
Constitutional Principles
Rule of Law:	Both government and the governed should be subject to the law.
Separation of Powers:	Legislative, executive, and judicial powers should be exercised by different institutions in order to maintain the limitations placed upon them.
Representative Government:	The republican form of government established under the Constitution is one in which citizens elect others to represent their interests.
Checks and Balances:	The powers given to the different branches of government should be balanced, that is roughly equal, so that no branch can completely dominate the others. Branches of government are also given powers to check the power of other branches.
Individual Rights:	Fundamental to American constitutional democracy is the belief that individuals have certain basic rights that are not created by government but which government should protect. These are the right to life, liberty, economic freedom, and the "pursuit of happiness." It is the purpose of government to protect these rights, and it may not place unfair or unreasonable restraints on their exercise. Many of these rights are enumerated in the Bill of Rights.
Freedom of Religion:	There shall be full freedom of conscience for people of all faiths or none. Religious liberty is considered to be a natural inalienable right that must always be beyond the power of the state to confer or remove. Religious liberty includes the right to freely practice any religion or no religion without governmental coercion or control.
Federalism:	Power is shared between two sets of governmental institutions, those of the states and those of the central or federal authorities, as stipulated by the Constitution.
Civilian Control of the Military:	Civilian authority should control the military in order to preserve constitutional government.
Michigan Department of Education - Curriculum Development Unit: Social Studies 612198
Core Democratic Values for Elementary Students
Core democratic values	are the fundamental beliefs and Constitutional principles of American society, which unite all Americans. These values are expressed in the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and other significant documents, speeches, and writings of the nation.
Life:	Each citizen has the right to the protection of his or her life.
Liberty:	Liberty includes the freedom to believe what you want, freedom to choose your own friends, and to have your own ideas and opinions, to express your ideas in public, the right for people to meet in groups, the right to have any lawful job or business.
Pursuit of Happiness:	Each citizen can find happiness in his or her own way, so long as he or she does not step on the rights of others.
Justice:	All people should be treated fairly in getting advantages and disadvantages of our country. No group or person should be favored.
Common Good:	Citizens should work together for the good of all. The government should make laws that are good for everyone.
Equality:	Everyone should get the same treatment regardless of where their parents or grandparents were born, their race, their religion or how much money they have. Citizens all have political, social and economic equality.
Truth:	The government and citizens should not lie.
Diversity:	Differences in language, dress, food, where parents or grandparents were born, race, and religion are not only allowed but accepted as important.
Popular Sovereignty:	The power of the government comes from the people.
Patriotism:	This means having a devotion to our country and the core democratic values in what we say and what we do.
Source: Civitas: A Framework for Civic Education, a collaborative project of the Center for Civic Education and the Council for the Advancement of Citizenship, National Council for the Social Studies Bulletin No. 86, 1991.

Handout 3Print Handout 3

Scoring Guide for Songs and Definitions

Points	Description
4	In order to receive a 4-point score, during the activity the student must: Accurately define all of the core democratic values assigned. Demonstrate an understanding of core democratic values being defined by giving at least two examples of each value assigned. Complete assigned tasks in cooperative groups in a positive manner. Complete assigned tasks on time.
3	In order to receive a 3-point score, during the activity the student must: Accurately define all of the core democratic values assigned. Demonstrate an understanding of core democratic values defined by giving at least one example of each value assigned. Complete assigned tasks in cooperative groups in a positive manner. Complete assigned tasks on time.
2	In order to receive a 2-point score, during the activity, the student must: Accurately define all of the core democratic values assigned. Achieve the standard on two of the three remaining standards in the three point score criteria.
1	In order to receive a 1-point score, during the activity, the student must: Accurately define all of the core democratic values assigned.
0	In order to receive a 0-point score, the student will show no evidence of any of the elements associated with the standard.

* This scoring guide is for the purpose of example. It may be used or modified to meet
the needs or desires of the teacher and the activity.

Academic Standards:

State:

Philanthropy Framework:

Comments

Ms, Teacher – Walla Walla, WA1/12/2008 10:48:11 PM

I am very excited to find this lesson as I will be teaching my students about the Democratic Ideals and Constitutional Principles. Hopefully, this activity will make it all a little clearer for them. Thanks for your efforts in designing this lesson and sharing it with others.

Unit Contents:

Overview:Make the Connection! Core Democratic Values and Philanthropy Summary

Lessons:

1.: CDV, CDV, What's a CDV?
2.: Searching for the Evidence
3.: Philanthropy and the CDVs
4.: Where Would We Be?
5.: Action!