The learners analyze examples from history of civic virtue and then select the characteristics they believe are most important for enduring citizen engagement.
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Unit: Civic Virtue in Modern American Democracy
Unit: Sacred Giving (Tzedakah) (Private-Religious)
Performance of the mitzvah of tzedakah is, ideally, a holistic part of life, not an activity to be performed when all others have been completed! This lesson offers a classic model of how that ideal was realized by one of our Sages, Rabbi Tanchum, and how our families might...
Unit: What Is Philanthropy?
Through discussion and response to literature, we define philanthropy as the sharing of time, talent, and treasure for the common good. Participants reflect on the benefit of philanthropy to the giver and receiver.
In this lesson, youth prepare a persuasive speech in which they demonstrate that one person (or small group) can make a difference in making the world a better place or taking action for the common good.
Unit: Our Constitutional Connection
Three amendments to the Constitution extended voting rights to more citizens. Look at the language of these amendments and the effectiveness of everyone actually getting the vote. Youth discuss the purpose of voting, and they take action to make a difference, such as by making ...
Unit: Building a Community Garden Santuary
When the site is selected, they make a final plan for what plants to put into the garden based on soil, location, and availability. They make a plan to seek donations of plants or funds for their garden.
Unit: Philanthropy—Essential to a Democratic Society
Learners recognize the value of nonprofit organizations and identify how nonprofits meet citizen needs when government can't.
Unit: Cartoons of a Civil Society
Reviewing current political cartoons related to justice, equity, and racism, learners identify how language and humor act as a form of social action. They create their own cartoons or statement promoting or showing the damage of one of these themes.
Unit: We the Kids - The Three Branches and Me
Participants analyze the essential qualities of the Core Democratic Values and how these values are evident in relationships and behavior in a classroom/group and in the community/nation.
Unit: Nonprofits are Necessary (6-8)
The purpose of this lesson is to have students recognize the idea of an emerging democracy, analyze the struggles of the people, and decide on a way to help the people.