Encountering Democracy

In this elective we have two main goals:

1. To work together to understand our local government - its structure, who are our elected officials, the many ways in which our local government shapes our daily lives, and how can we use our knowledge of our state and local government structures to affect change we believe in.

2. To create a curriculum to teach what we've learned about our local government to our third graders through engaging lessons and hands on experiences so that they feel empowered to be agents of change in their community.

Thus our guiding question for this work is...

We will follow the Ethical Creativity design process to help us through this work. 

Phase 2 - Wonder

So often it is big questions that lead toward enduring knowledge. What are the big questions you have about you city and neighborhood? Focus on the WHO? HOW? WHY?

Activities:

• Journaling

• Question Mapping

• Window visualizations

• Daily Schedule Activity

Phase 3 - Ask Questions

Start talking to those around you. Ask thoughtful questions. REALLY listen. Follow up. Who are the people in your neighborhood? What do they value? What do they need?

Research!!! Why are things the way they are now? What are the government structures? How does change happen? Who do you need to talk to? Strive to understand all sides of an issue

Components: 

• Formulating good question

• Finding the right people and sources

• Listening/reading/viewing deeply

Phase 4 - Define Challenge

Now that you have a fuller picture of your local neighborhood and government what are you noticing? Where are there areas that are unknown or misunderstood? What patterns are you seeing? Are you noticing an area where you could make an impact? Create a HMW (How Might We) statement for to focus a specific issue you are interested in focusing on.

Activities:

• Finding common threads

• Writing HMW statements

Phase 5 - Brainstorm

Think of all the ways you could address the issue you are focusing on. This works best in a small group. Begin by focusing on lots of ideas - quantity over quality. There will be time to refine later.

Activities:

• Yes and ...

• Brainstorming methods

• Sorting through ideas

• Choosing an idea

Phase 6 - Prototype 

Now that you have an idea you want to develop it. The hope is to build or develop something that can be tested by the people you hope will use it.

Activities:

• Prototype development

Phase 7 - Test

Now you need to get some people to try out your prototype. You need them to be honest about what is working and what is not so you can make adjustments and improvements. Really listen. It's easy to fall in love with our ideas, but if the idea does not work for the people that need to use it it is not the right idea at the right time.

Activities:

• Testing

• Data Collection

• Data processing

• Revision

Phase 8 - Share

Once you have a prototype that you feel is really meeting the need it is time to share this creation with others. You will need to find ways to reach out and share what you have made. You will need to use a variety of media to share what you have created and get the word out.

Activities:

• Crafting a message

• Who to reach and how?

Scope & Sequence

Intro Lesson

Phase 1 - Awe

Make A Citizen

Phase 2 - Wonder

Levels of Government

Phase 3 - Ask Questions

Phase 4 - Define the Challenge

Planning Lessons

Creating Learning Stations

Phase 5 - Brainstorm

Phase 6 - Prototype

Phase 7 - Test

Phase 8- Share

Prepping for Board of Supervisors

Reflecting