teacher orientation fall 2014. welcome name what do you teach and where? what are you excited about...
TRANSCRIPT
TEACHER ORIENTATIONFALL 2014
WELCOME• Name•What do you teach and
where?•What are you excited about
in implementing GC?•What is one thing you hope
to learn today?
AGENDA1. Welcome2. Overview3. Curriculum4. Roles5. Resources6. Civics Day 7. Logistics
OVERVIEW
Organization• Need• Mission• History and Progress• Students Served
Program• Elements• Approach• Project Example
WHAT IS GENERATION CITIZEN?
NEEDOur Democracy is broken. Why?
CITIZENS DO NOT PARTICIPATE.Over 80 million eligible voters did not participate in the 2012 Presidential election. This is greater than the number of people who voted for President Obama.CIVICS EDUCATION IS OFTEN INEFFECTIVE.In many schools, civics education is either an exercise in rote memorization, or it simply does not exist. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), American students test worse in civics and history than any other subject.CIVICS EDUCATION IS UNEQUAL.African-American and Hispanic students are far more likely to experience heavily fact-based civics instruction that starts and ends inside the classroom, while their whiter, wealthier peers participate in engaging debates and out-of-classroom extensions of their learning.
WHAT IS GENERATION CITIZEN?MISSIONGeneration Citizen works to ensure that every student in the US receives an effective action civics education, which provides them with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in our democracy as active citizens.
HISTORY AND PROGRESS
PROJECTED
STUDENTS SERVED
2014-15
2013-14
2012-13
2011-12
2010-11
2009-10
2008-09
8,100
7,375
6,000
4,000
1,850
1,000
To fulfill our mission, we partner college students with classroom teachers to teach an action-civics course in which teens solve problems they face in their own communities.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
ADVOCACY HOURGLASSPROGRAM ELEMENTS
CORE• 1-2 Democracy Coaches• Twice per week• Student-driven • Emphasis on small group work• Structured approach to advocacy• Civics Day
ENRICHMENT• Summer fellowship program for students (Community Change Fellowship)
Focus Issue
Community Issues
Root Cause
Goal
Targets
Tactics
MUNI SAFETYPAUL REVERE MIDDLE SCHOOL, SF
Focus Issue
Community Issues
Root Cause
Goal
Targets
Tactics
Lack of security at the back doors of buses
Student safety getting to and from school
Safety on the 14L and 8x Muni bus lines
Increase security at the back doors of the 14L and 8x Muni bus lines
Gathering petition signatures, e-mails, calls and letters to the SFMTA, meeting with SFTMA Director, testifying in front of the SFMTA Citizens’ Advisory Council
SFMTA Director, SFMTA Citizens’ Advisory Council, Muni bus riders, Paul Revere parents and students
CURRICULUM• Framework• Lesson Structure • Student Handbook• Staying on Track• What Does Success Look Like?
CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK
TIMING
Week of 9/22• Lessons 0 & 1Week of 9/29• Lessons 2 & 3Week of 10/06• Lessons 4 & 5Week of 10/13• Lessons 6 & 7Week of 10/20• Lesson 8 & 910/27 – Dec• Action• Civics Day (12/5)• Reflection
LESSON STRUCTURE
ELEMENTS TO NOTE• Student handbooks • Objectives• Materials• Do Now• Tips Sidebar • Glossary• Exit Tickets
STUDENT HANDBOOK
STUDENT HANDBOOK
TACTIC TOOLKIT
STAYING ON TRACKLesson 2: Community Issues
“Students are regularly throwing away good food and producing excess waste during lunch period.”
“Global warming.”“Declining whale populations in Japan.”
Lesson 5: Root Cause & Goal
Lesson 6: Identifying Decision-makers and Influencers (Targets)
UNIT 3: Taking Action
STAYING ON TRACKLesson 2: Community Issues
“Students are regularly throwing away good food and producing excess waste during lunch period.”
“Global warming.”“Declining whale populations in Japan.”
Lesson 5: Root Cause & Goal
Lesson 6: Identifying Decision-makers and Influencers (Targets)
UNIT 3: Taking Action
STAYING ON TRACKLesson 2: Community Issues
“Students are regularly throwing away good food and producing excess waste during lunch period.”
“Global warming.”“Declining whale populations in Japan.”
Lesson 5: Root Cause & Goal
“Students are throwing away food and not recycling because they don’t care about the environment. Our goal will be to raise more awareness about the environment.”
“Based on our research and interviews with peers and SFUSD staff, the root cause of waste at our school is the lack of recyclable materials in our cafeteria’s food packaging, and lack of alternative options for getting rid of unwanted food. Our goal will be to have SFUSD change their food supplier, and to provide more resources on campus to help students reuse.”
Lesson 6: Identifying Decision-makers and Influencers (Targets)
UNIT 3: Taking Action
STAYING ON TRACKLesson 2: Community Issues
“Students are regularly throwing away good food and producing excess waste during lunch period.”
“Global warming.”“Declining whale populations in Japan.”
Lesson 5: Root Cause & Goal
“Students are throwing away food and not recycling because they don’t care about the environment. Our goal will be to raise more awareness about the environment.”
“Based on our research and interviews with peers and SFUSD staff, the root cause of waste at our school is the lack of recyclable materials in our cafeteria’s food packaging, and lack of alternative options for getting rid of unwanted food. Our goal will be to have SFUSD change their food supplier, and to provide more resources on campus to help students reuse.”
Lesson 6: Identifying Decision-makers and Influencers (Targets)
UNIT 3: Taking Action
STAYING ON TRACKLesson 2: Community Issues
“Students are regularly throwing away good food and producing excess waste during lunch period.”
“Global warming.”“Declining whale populations in Japan.”
Lesson 5: Root Cause & Goal
“Students are throwing away food and not recycling because they don’t care about the environment. Our goal will be to raise more awareness about the environment.”
“Based on our research and interviews with peers and SFUSD staff, the root cause of waste at our school is the lack of recyclable materials in our cafeteria’s food packaging, and lack of alternative options for getting rid of unwanted food. Our goal will be to have SFUSD change their food supplier, and to provide more resources on campus to help students reuse.”
Lesson 6: Identifying Decision-makers and Influencers (Targets)
“We should write letters to Obama telling him about global warming and asking for his help. We should also involve the mayor somehow.”
“We will approach the School Board and request that they review their food supplier’s packaging policies. We will also hold meetings with our Principal, to ask him to increase recycling receptacles on campus. Lastly, we will petition our Cafeteria Supervisor to help us start a Food Sharing Table during lunch, where students can drop off unwanted to food that can be picked up by others or donated to our afterschool program.”
UNIT 3: Taking Action
STAYING ON TRACKLesson 2: Community Issues
“Students are regularly throwing away good food and producing excess waste during lunch period.”
“Global warming.”“Declining whale populations in Japan.”
Lesson 5: Root Cause & Goal
“Students are throwing away food and not recycling because they don’t care about the environment. Our goal will be to raise more awareness about the environment.”
“Based on our research and interviews with peers and SFUSD staff, the root cause of waste at our school is the lack of recyclable materials in our cafeteria’s food packaging, and lack of alternative options for getting rid of unwanted food. Our goal will be to have SFUSD change their food supplier, and to provide more resources on campus to help students reuse.”
Lesson 6: Identifying Decision-makers and Influencers (Targets)
“We should write letters to Obama telling him about global warming and asking for his help. We should also involve the mayor somehow.”
“We will approach the School Board and request that they review their food supplier’s packaging policies. We will also hold meetings with our Principal, to ask him to increase recycling receptacles on campus. Lastly, we will petition our Cafeteria Supervisor to help us start a Food Sharing Table during lunch, where students can drop off unwanted to food that can be picked up by others or donated to our afterschool program.”
UNIT 3: Taking Action
STAYING ON TRACKLesson 2: Community Issues
“Students are regularly throwing away good food and producing excess waste during lunch period.”
“Global warming.”“Declining whale populations in Japan.”
Lesson 5: Root Cause & Goal
“Students are throwing away food and not recycling because they don’t care about the environment. Our goal will be to raise more awareness about the environment.”
“Based on our research and interviews with peers and SFUSD staff, the root cause of waste at our school is the lack of recyclable materials in our cafeteria’s food packaging, and lack of alternative options for getting rid of unwanted food. Our goal will be to have SFUSD change their food supplier, and to provide more resources on campus to help students reuse.”
Lesson 6: Identifying Decision-makers and Influencers (Targets)
“We should write letters to Obama telling him about global warming and asking for his help. We should also involve the mayor somehow.”
“We will approach the School Board and request that they review their food supplier’s packaging policies. We will also hold meetings with our Principal, to ask him to increase recycling receptacles on campus. Lastly, we will petition our Cafeteria Supervisor to help us start a Food Sharing Table during lunch, where students can drop off unwanted to food that can be picked up by others or donated to our afterschool program.”
UNIT 3: Taking Action
It is November 10. During GC, students are in their work groups, accomplishing the tactics on their group work plan that is aligned with the class work plan.
It is November 10. During GC, ten students are working on a letter to the School Board. The other students are waiting for that group to finish so they can bring that letter to the School Board.
STAYING ON TRACKLesson 2: Community Issues
“Students are regularly throwing away good food and producing excess waste during lunch period.”
“Global warming.”“Declining whale populations in Japan.”
Lesson 5: Root Cause & Goal
“Students are throwing away food and not recycling because they don’t care about the environment. Our goal will be to raise more awareness about the environment.”
“Based on our research and interviews with peers and SFUSD staff, the root cause of waste at our school is the lack of recyclable materials in our cafeteria’s food packaging, and lack of alternative options for getting rid of unwanted food. Our goal will be to have SFUSD change their food supplier, and to provide more resources on campus to help students reuse.”
Lesson 6: Identifying Decision-makers and Influencers (Targets)
“We should write letters to Obama telling him about global warming and asking for his help. We should also involve the mayor somehow.”
“We will approach the School Board and request that they review their food supplier’s packaging policies. We will also hold meetings with our Principal, to ask him to increase recycling receptacles on campus. Lastly, we will petition our Cafeteria Supervisor to help us start a Food Sharing Table during lunch, where students can drop off unwanted to food that can be picked up by others or donated to our afterschool program.”
UNIT 3: Taking Action
It is November 10. During GC, students are in their work groups, accomplishing the tactics on their group work plan that is aligned with the class work plan.
It is November 10. During GC, ten students are working on a letter to the School Board. The other students are waiting for that group to finish so they can bring that letter to the School Board.
WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE?
Influence in-process legislation or the budget at the state or local level
Influence how departments or schools
solicit youth input
Influence how departments or schools
use resources
Introduce analogous legislation at the state
or local level
ROLES• What about working with college students makes you excited? • What makes you nervous?• Teacher and Democracy Coach Roles• Timeline• Support• Working with College Students• Best Practices
TEACHER & DEMOCRACY COACH ROLES
DEMOCRACY COACH TEACHER
Initial conversation and observation-only class before the program starts to learn teacher preferences/expectations and classroom norms.
Prepares lesson plans, background research, and resources for each class.
Checks in with DC about their prep at a set weekly time (by phone or in person, once per week).
In general, leads lessons and activities.
Participates in discussions and activities. Jumps in to probe students, provide context/connections, and make sure all students are engaged.
Motivates students through relationships and role modeling.
Manages classroom. Maintains a controlled environment. Holds student accountable to rules and participation.
TIMELINE
SUPPORT FROM GC STAFF
GC SUPPORT FOR DCs• Day-long initial training• Weekly on-campus meetings• Weekly check-ins with veteran DCs and/or GC staff• Classroom observations
GC SUPPORT FOR TEACHERS• Initial orientation• Scheduled check-ins twice/semester• As-needed support from GC staff• Resources: • Roles and responsibilities chart• DC-Teacher introductory conversation
template • Teacher best practices• Teacher checklist• Classroom case studies
WORKING WITH COLLEGE STUDENTS
BENEFITSA college student brings…• Motivation from a near-peer mentor• Added capacity for outside research and resources• College-going culture• A new face with new, diverse experiences to share• Connections to other classes and the larger GC movement
KEEP IN MINDA college student is…• New to the classroom• New to the specific needs of your students• New to the community• New to the professional world• Volunteering with GC while taking classes, and often working as well
How can you support DCs?
BEST PRACTICES
RESOURCES• Resource List
RESOURCE LIST
CIVICS DAY• Details• Awards
CIVICS DAY DETAILS
WHATStudent representatives from each class present their work to other students, community members, and public officials. This is an opportunity to celebrate their work and to gain feedback to further their efforts.WHEREDavid Brower Center (Berkeley)WHENFriday, December 5th 10am to 2pmAGENDA9:30am Arrival and Setup10:00am Welcome10:30am Judging Rotations12:00pm Lunch1:00pm Awards and Speeches
CIVICS DAY!Friday, December 5th 10am – 2pmDavid Brower Center (Berkeley)
CIVICS DAY!Friday, December 5th 10am – 2pmDavid Brower Center (Berkeley)
GRASSROOTS CHANGE Students can clearly and compellingly articulate why their focus issue matters to them and matters to their community.
SYSTEMIC IMPACT Students can provide logical and evidence-based reasoning to explain how their project goal addresses the systemic root cause(s) of their issue.
COLLABORATION AND DIVERSITY Students have engaged a variety of local community members in their work and can clearly explain why each has a stake in the issue.
ACTION Students have utilized a variety of tactics to engage their targets and have shown considerable thoughtfulness and attention to quality in completing their tactics.
OPEN-MINDEDNESS Students can thoughtfully reflect on the GC process and connect their GC experiences with future implications and possibilities.
CIVICS DAY AWARDS
LOGISTICS• Student Surveys• Visitors and Ongoing Communication
STUDENT SURVEYS
PURPOSE• Monitoring program quality• Research and evaluation• Gauge progress on civic skills, knowledge, and confidence
PROCESS1. Consent Forms. At the start of the semester, teachers will be
provided with a parent letter stating the purpose of the project, how their student will be involved, and how the data will be used, along with the forms. GC Staff will collect on Friday, September 26th.
2. First Survey. Teachers should have students complete the first survey prior to the first GC lesson. GC Staff will collect on Friday, September 26th.
3. Second Survey. Teachers should have students complete the second survey as soon as possible after Civics Day.
VISITORS & ONGOING COMMUNICATIONCLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS• 2-3 times/semester• GC staff and college Chapter Directors• Rubric-based• Assess DCs on: • Classroom Relationships• Preparation• Effective Instruction• Student Engagement• Advocacy
• One-week notification• Opportunity to share feedback
VISITORS• Guest speakers• Donors• Media• One-week notification• With some of these visitors,
we may not have as much notice
STAFF CONTACT• Initial conversations• Mid-semester conversations• End-of-semester surveys• Questions or concerns? Contact us:• Caitlin
(619) 249-8777
www.generationcitizen.org