The learner will:

• define at least five Core Democratic Values.
• explain the role of Core Democratic Values as commonly held beliefs among citizens which inspire them to act philanthropically.
• explain the connection between Core Democratic Values and the founding documents.
• describe the action of an individual in contemporary society acting for the common good in accordance with a Core Democratic Value.
• hypothesize possible reasons for the lack of voluntary action to enhance a Core Democratic Value.
• identify and propose actions to personally enhance a Core Democratic Value.
• describe philanthropic action by a citizen during World War II, and explain how a Core Democratic Value was enhanced by the action.
• identify actions of the American government and people during World War II which violated Core Democratic Values in regard to Japanese Americans and describe the impact of those actions.
• list ways Core Democratic Values can be enhanced through philanthropic action for the common good of the student body.

Students will send letters of appreciation and encouragement to current service men (see Web site www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=misc.contact&tok=1 for addresses). Students will write about how philanthropic actions maintain our democracy and enhance Core Democratic Values.

Although World War II is the historical focus of this unit, teachers may use another time or event and still teach the important objectives of this unit. In regard to the Core Democratic Values, eight were chosen as the focus of this unit. However, there are many others which can be considered in place of or in addition to those included in this unit.