Civics DC

Please Help Us Save the We the People Programs in the District and Across the County

2011-03-25T13:15:00.000Z

Students Demonstrate their Constitutional Knowledge in the 2011 D.C. We the People High School Competition

2011-02-01T17:44:00.004Z

On January 28, 2011, over 100 students from around the District competed in the 2011 D.C. We the People High School Competition, held at the Georgetown University Law Center, impressing the judges with their display of constitutional knowledge and understanding.

While each student who participated in the We the People program is a winner, only one team can go on to represent the District at this year's National Finals. Congratulations go to the Capitol Hill campus of Cesar Chavez Public Charter High School, for capturing the citywide title for the second consecutive year! Best of luck at the 2011 We the People National Finals!

Cesar Chavez PCS - Capitol Hill Team

1st Place

Images are copyright Bill Booz, W.H. Booz Images. Do not reprint without permission.

MLK's Legacy in the Washington Post

2011-01-20T02:58:00.000Z

Two 2010 DC We the People alumni were featured in yesterday's Washington Post story on MLK's legacy. Kudos to Chavez grads Jason Allen and Marco Gomez-Camarena for their work on this forthcoming documentary. Read the article with pictures at http://wapo.st/mlkstreets and view the trailer here:

2010-11 School-wide We the People Simulated Congressional Hearings

2010-11-11T22:50:00.000Z

Students around the District are working hard to prepare for the 2010-2011 We the People school-based competitions! Because each middle or high school can only send one class as a team to the 2011 DC We the People city-wide middle or high school competitions, we need your help to decide who will go from each participating school this year.

Please join us as a volunteer or special guest for any of these events:

Thursday, November 18 - KIPP DC: KEY Academy's 5^th Annual

Thursday, January 13 - Cesar Chavez Parkside Middle School

Friday, January 14 - Cesar Chavez Parkside High School

Friday, January 14 - Cesar Chavez Capitol Hill High School

Wednesday and Thursday, January 19-20 - Stuart-Hobson Middle School

Thursday, February 10 - The SEED School of Washington DC

TBD - St. John's College High School

TBD - National Cathedral School

TBD - Maya Angelou Middle School, Evans Campus

A number of volunteers are needed to make these competitions a success, so please consider serving as a judge, facilitator, or timer. Once you have decided to join us as a guest or volunteer, please complete the online school-based competition Volunteer/Guest Form to register.

October 29: Join Your DC Colleagues for a Social Studies Teachers Social!

2010-10-22T13:44:00.001+01:00

DCGA Social Studies Social (flyer download)

And when you RSVP for this, be sure to join the D.C. Geographic Alliance at dcga.org! It's free and it only takes a minute. They've got great workshops, events, and resources for teachers in the District. You can also find their page here on Facebook.

Civics DC: 2010-11 PD & Events

2010-10-19T12:01:00.002+01:00

DC Professional Development Kick-off

Come see all that the Center for Civic Education has to offer for teachers in the District of Columbia!

WHAT: Civic Education Professional Development Kick-off Event
WHO: Teachers in the District of Columbia (any grade level & subject)
WHEN: Saturday, October 23, 2010 from 8:30 AM to 3 PM
WHERE: Cesar Chavez's Parkside Campus at 3701 Hayes Street NE
WHY: Learn about all the Center for Civic Education has to offer DC teachers in terms of free professional development, great classroom resources, and an outstanding network of educators

HOW: Register here now!

Light breakfast and a full lunch are included in the training.

2010-11 CALENDAR: More Upcoming Civic Ed Events in the District

PD: We the People Through Primary Documents Workshop

Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010

PD: We the People and the Federal Courts Seminar

Friday, December 10, 2010

We the People City-wide Competitions*

Thursday, January 27, 2011 - Middle School
Friday, January 28, 2011 - High School

*Complete the DC WTP Intent to Compete Form (2011) ASAP.

Project Citizen City-wide Showcase

Friday, June 3, 2011

Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Plugs Civic Education at Stuart-Hobson Middle School

2010-10-14T17:02:00.001+01:00

Rep. Norton Accepting Academy Applications

2010-10-01T16:10:00.003+01:00

Students interested in attending a military academy must typically be nominated by a member of Congress. If you are (or know) a DC student interested in attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, or the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, please contact the office of Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton as soon as possible. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy accepts directs admissions and a Congressional nomination is not required.

Academies are open to students 17 to 23 years old. Successful candidates must commit to a minimum of 9 years of service to the military (4 years at the academy and at least 5 years of active duty service).

For more information on the Congressional nomination process, please contact Rep. Norton's NW District office at 202-783-5056 or visit her website.

DCUDL New Debate Coach's Training

2010-09-27T14:54:00.002+01:00

The District of Columbia Urban Debate League will host a NEW DEBATE COACH TRAINING SESSION on Wednesday, September 29, from 5 to 8PM at:

The University of the District of Columbia

Small Auditorium

Building 41, Room A03

4200 Connecticut Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20008

This three-hour training will provide you with everything you need to start (or sustain) a successful debate program at either the middle school or high school level. Participants will also learn about opportunities for student competition in and around the DC area. Topics to be covered include: teaching debate skills, student recruitment, team management, classroom debate, and many more. Participants will receive free curricular materials and lesson plans to get started.

Please RSVP by Tuesday, September 28, to ensure your seat and materials: colin2e@dcdebate.org.

From NCoC, Happy Constitution Day!

2010-09-17T15:18:00.001+01:00

Join this great conversation at the National Conference on Citizenship and ask questions yourself via Twitter if you cannot make it to the Library of Congress. Wherever you are, happy Constitution Day!

Be sure to read the 2010 Civic Health Assessment too; not to mention the data on civic life in the District of Columbia at http://civic.serve.gov/DC. We're #3 at working with neighbors to fix a community problem and #5 at participating in a group; we've got a lot more room for improvement with volunteer and voting rates.

ConSource Essay Contest

2010-09-16T12:03:00.000+01:00

The deadline for the ConSource Essay Contest has been extended to October 8th!

The ConSource Constitution Day Essay Contest prompt can be easily integrated with course units on the founding of our country, especially on Constitution Day. The ConSource educational approach asks students to research Founding Era primary source documents to provide a historical framework of our country's founding. Students must identify the different interpretations of this framework and draw conclusions for contemporary application.

The contest has both middle and high school divisions. More details can be found here. Essays must be submitted no later than midnight on October 8, 2010. Winners receive an 8GB iPod Touch.

Constitution Day!

2010-09-15T21:17:00.007+01:00

Constitution Day is fast approaching on September 17th. The Center for Civic Education has downloadable, printable lesson plans for Constitution Day available on their website. These lesson plans are for grades K-12 and include the Constitution Day Rap and lessons on the Preamble and the role of the president. Audio recordings of the lessons are also available. There are also lesson plans available from the National Constitution Center.

Also on Constitution Day is the 65th Annual National Conference on Citizenship. This event will feature panel discussions on "Big Citizenship: Fad or Philosophy?" and "How Institutions are Supporting 21st Century Activitists." Richard Stengel, managing editor of TIME Magazine, will receive the Citizen of the Year award and Thomas Susman of the American Bar Association will facilitate a conversation with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Concluding the conference is a Naturalization Ceremony, conducted by Honorable Royce Lamberth, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The Center for Civic Education will host a luncheon following the event, with Lee Hamilton from the Center on Congress giving the keynote address. Center for Civic Education Executive Director Chuck Quigley will give remarks on the state of civic education in America, after which luncheon attendees will participate in roundtable discussions on different topics regarding civic education.

DC We the People Summer Seminar at Montpelier

2010-08-31T15:18:00.012+01:00

Teachers were the students for three days at Montpelier

While DC-area students were enjoying their weeks of freedom over summer break, some of their teachers were learning how to teach civics better. Seventeen teachers from around the District converged on James Madison's Montpelier in Orange, VA for a three-day workshop on using the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution curriculum.

The teachers enjoyed break-out sessions focusing on Units 3 and 4 from the curriculum, including group work, presentations, and even homework. They discussed the main themes from these units, which are How has the Constitution been changed to further the ideals contained in the Declaration of Independence? and, How have the values and principles embodied in the Constitution shaped American institutions and practices? Additionally, the teachers looked at how the Civil War transformed the American constitutional system through the key provisions of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments and how the right to vote has been expanded since the adoption of the Constitution. Professor Henry L. Chambers from the University of Richmond School of Law worked extensively with the teachers, alongside experienced We the People mentor teachers.

Teachers "compete" in a mock We the People hearing

The last activity for the teachers was the simulated congressional hearing that is the competitive component of the We the People curriculum. The teachers acted as the students, with mentor teachers and other staff serving as judges.

Across the Country but Inspirational to Educators Anywhere

2010-06-28T17:22:00.008+01:00

A must-see We the People production from Arvin, California:

And remember, for something a little closer to home, here's the 2009 District of Columbia We the People video:

Teen Advisory Council Meeting

2010-06-14T15:42:00.003+01:00

The National Law Enforcement Museum is kick-starting its Teen Advisory Council with an informational meeting on June 16, 2010 at 4:30pm. Pizza and root beer floats will be provided. Cesar Chavez Public Chater School junior Warren Jefferson will talk about the museum's new project: A video highlighting youth perceptions of law enforcement.

The meeting is strictly informational - you don't have to make a decision about participating in the Council until later.

If you're interested, the meeting will be held at 901 E Street, NW, Ste. 100. (That's on the corner of E and 9th in Penn Quarter).

If you have any questions, please contact Betsy Bowers at bbowers@nleomf.org or 202-737-7989.

Chavez Team Honored in Congressional Record

2010-06-11T16:10:00.006+01:00

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton honored the hard work of the students of the Cesar Chavez's Capitol Hill class that represented Washington, DC at the 2010 We the People National Finals by reading their names and a brief synopsis of the program into the Congressional Record. The full text can be accessed here or can be read below. Congratulations again to these dedicated students and their excellent representation of the District at the National Finals!

********************

STATEMENT OF
HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2010

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, in April 2010, more than 1,200 students from across the country took part in the We the People : The Citizen and the Constitution national finals in Washington, D.C. I am proud to announce that a class from Cesar Chavez Public Charter School--Capitol Hill Campus represented the District of Columbia at this prestigious national event. These outstanding students, through their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, won their city-wide competition earning the chance to compete at the national level.

While in Washington, the students participated in a three-day academic competition that simulated a congressional hearing, in which students demonstrated their knowledge and skills as they evaluated and defended positions on historical and contemporary constitutional issues. Annual surveys consistently show that high school students who take part in the We the People academic competition outperform other students in the National Assessment of Educational Progress political test by at least 22 percent.

Madam Speaker, the names of these outstanding students from Cesar Chavez Public Charter School--Capitol Hill Campus are: Kim Diaz, Marco Gomez, Karen Mejia, Jason Allen, Jesse Balderas, Briana Bullock, Joel Carela, Jaleel Dyson, Kendra Goodwin, Ely Guerrero, Corey Johnson, Jose Maheda, Anthony McCannon, Christian Mondragon, Nakea Paige, Ryan Pope, Alexis Rhett, Leticia Rivera, Elizabeth Rogers, Paul Schmidt, Jaztina Somerville, and Jade Vaughn.

I also wish to commend the teacher of the class, Dionna Shinn, who was responsible for preparing these young constitutional experts for the national finals. Also worthy of special recognition is Julie Harris, Director of Public Policy at Cesar Chavez Public Charter School, for her tireless commitment to the students on the District's team and implementation of the rigorous curriculum at the Cesar Chavez Public Charter School.

I congratulate these young constitutional experts on their outstanding achievement at the We the People national finals.

Chavez Parkside Middle School Wins City-wide Public Policy Competition

2010-06-10T13:19:00.010+01:00

For the second consecutive year, middle school students from Mr. Toomer's classes at Cesar Chavez's Parkside Campus won the District of Columbia Project Citizen Showcase. The annual event was held on June 3, 2010, at the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives. Following are some pictures from the day which was kicked-off with a fabulous interactive presentation on freedom of expression by constitutional activist Mary Beth Tinker (Tinker v. Des Moines).

Mary Beth Tinker teaches students about the five freedoms in the First Amendment.

Chavez Parkside students with their winning portfolio on "Student Rights".

Showcase evaluator Ian Schillinger speaks with student ambassadors from the SEED School.

Joey Wignarajah speaks with students from Chavez Bruce Prep about their ideas to address "Homelessness".

Students from Ms. John's seventh grade class at Chavez Parkside talk to judges about the lack of course selection at their middle school.

We the People National Finals Competition

2010-05-10T14:26:00.005+01:00

Congratulations to the We the People class from Arcadia High School (California), our 2010 We the People National champions!

Arcadia High School, California

Students from every state in the Union, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (52 teams in total) descended upon Washington, DC to compete at the National Final Competition April 24-26. The top ten teams were able to compete on Capitol Hill in the Dirksen Senate Building on April 26th.

The ten finalists were:

California - Arcadia High School
Alabama - Vestavia Hills High School
Virginia - Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies
Oregon - Lincoln High School
Colorado - East High School
New Jersey - East Brunswick High School
Florida - Our Lady of Lourdes Academy
Indiana - Munster High School
Missouri - Westminster Christian Academy
Wisconsin - Wauwatosa High School

The team from Cesar Chavez Public Charter School - Capitol Hill Campus represented the District well at finals. We are proud of each of the kids for their hard work and excellent preparation for the competition.

Cesar Chavez Public Charter School - Capitol Hill Campus

Stuart-Hobson Takes Early Lead in We the People Challenge!

2010-03-17T16:46:00.010Z

Students in Amy Trenkle's class have taken a commanding early lead in the 2010 We the People Constitution Tour Challenge!*

Here are some pictures of her students in action doing just a few of the possible challenge activities in conjunction with their We the People trolley tour:

Winning the 2010 D.C. Middle School We the People Simulated Congressional Hearings City-wide Competition on January 14

Student visiting the United States Capitol After an Insider's Tour and Meeting with DC Congresswoman Norton

And these are only some of the activities they completed while studying the U.S. Constitution in their 8th grade history class. Other activities include:

Critiqued the Capitol Visitor Center with Maria Marable for the US Capitol Visitor Center
We the People Essay Writing (two formal essays)
In-school We the People simulated congressional hearings
Memorized the 44 Presidents
Watched the State of the Union Address with pre- and post-lessons relating to the State of the Union
Created "We the ________" Children’s Books
Went to Peabody Pre-K classes to share students’ "We the ________" Children’s Books
Our Courts presented to students in a formalized program at Stuart-Hobson
Visited the National Portrait Gallery and/or the National Museum of American History to view portraiture/objects about the American Presidency
Posted blogs about the Trolley Tour
Posted blogs about either the U.S. Capitol trip, "We the ________" Children's Books, or State of the Union
Interviewed a parent/adult about their first time voting for a president
Memorized portion of the Declaration of Independence

*Points for all these submissions are still being assigned and tabulated!

Our Courts Launches DC Classroom Program

2010-02-12T23:39:00.000Z

The Our Courts project, in partnership with Georgetown Law, recently launched a new program for Washington DC schools. Our Courts will send a small team of law students to teach civics in middle school classrooms using interactive games. The Our Courts lessons and games meet DC’s 8th grade social studies standards, and our volunteers can teach 1, 2, or 3 class periods depending on your needs. Our curriculum is fun and engaging, and has been shown to improve student understanding of the Constitution and its amendments. For more information or to schedule a class session, please contact Jeff Curley at info@ourcourts.org or (202) 661-6527.

We have also just released a new game, Argument Wars. In it, students argue landmark Supreme Court cases and evaluate supports for key arguments. Each case is separate within Argument Wars, so you can teach as many or as few as you would like. Check them out using the links below:

• Brown v. Board of Education
• New Jersey v. T.L.O
• Gideon v. Wainwright
• Texas v. Johnson (coming soon)
• Miranda v. Arizona (coming soon)

Winner of DC We the People Competition Announced

2010-02-08T14:14:00.000Z

Congratulations to the We the People team from the Capitol Hill Campus of the Cesar Chavez Public Charter School for Public Policy, winner of the 2010 We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution high school competition for the District of Columbia!

Three other local high schools also competed to varying extents: the Parkside campus of Cesar Chavez, St. John's College High School, and National Cathedral School. The teachers from all schools, as well as the community leaders and educators who served as judges at the competition, were impressed with the knowledge and skills of all students involved in the competition.

Kavitha Cardoza from WAMU 88.5 FM, the local NPR affiliate, also stopped by the event to talk with some of the students and teachers. Her piece ran the next day on the air, which you can read or listen to here.

District Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton congratulated all of the students at the end of the competition, insisting that they continue to empower themselves and become owners of their democracy. She told them, "You should crown your achievement today by taking it and insisting that you are the last class of second-class citizens in D.C.," referring to the struggle for voting rights in the District.

The Chavez-Capitol Hill team will be representing the District of Columbia in the national finals of the We the People in a competition that brings 1,200 students from all fifty states (and the District) to Washington this April 24-26, 2010.

The winning team: Cesar Chavez-Capitol Hill

Keynote speaker: Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton

D.C. Students Vie for First Place at Simulated Congressional Hearings -- WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ --

2010-01-13T12:59:00.000Z

Read yesterday's press release from the PR News Wire here.

Come out to see the 2010 District of Columbia We the People Middle School Competition tomorrow at the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives; opening ceremonies begin at 9:30 AM and the awards will be presented at 1:30 PM. Register here to attend as a guest.

And a huge thank you to Campanella Communications Group, LLC for their able assistance and generous support with our press efforts this year.

2010 DC We the People Competitions

2010-01-08T18:51:00.000Z

This year the District's city-wide We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution competitions will be held again in January at the Sumner School Museum and Archives. The middle school competition will be held on Thursday, January 14, and the high school competition will be held on Thursday, January 28.

Click here to learn more, attend as a guest or volunteer for school-based hearings!

Participating 2010 schools include:

Cesar Chavez - Bruce Prep
Cesar Chavez - Capitol Hill
Cesar Chavez - Parkside
KIPP DC: KEY Academy
Lincoln Multicultural
Maya Angelou - Evans
National Cathedral
SEED School of DC
St. Johns
Stuart-Hobson

KIPP DC: KEY Academy Holds Annual Simulated Congressional Hearings

2009-11-25T14:30:00.000Z

Seventy-five KIPP DC students from Ms. Gabriela Stiteler's 8th grade U.S. History classes participated in the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program at KEY Academy last week. The simulated congressional hearings last Thursday, November 19, featured student testimony before a panel of three judges on a range of constitutional topics, from natural rights philosophy to the role of a citizen in U.S. society. Following are some pictures of the hearings in progress:

At the conclusion of the KIPPster's panel presentations and questioning, the students received awards for their study of the We the People curriculum. D.C. Councilmember Yvette Alexander signed the awards presented by her Communications Director, Andre Johnson.
One team from each unit will advance to the city-wide We the People competition to represent KIPP DC: KEY on January 14, 2010. Winning teams were selected from each of the three homerooms based on scores in six criteria as determined by 18 volunteer judges from outside the school. Here are a couple KIPP students receiving their medals as the winning team:

Got Civics? Can Travel!

2009-11-05T03:19:00.000Z

DC Teachers: Don't miss this great opportunity, especially if you teach world geography, cultures, perspectives, history or anything else global!

International Perspectives and Interactive Methods-
An Active Classroom Seminar

This unique opportunity will allow local teachers to interact with fellow civic educators from former Soviet countries: Russia, Mongolia, Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia and Kazakhstan. The program will feature discussions on comparative government, model lessons, free classroom materials, hot meals, and professional learning credits. Download the registration form now and join in this exciting professional exchange of ideas on Saturday, November 14, in Silver Spring, Maryland.

And also prepare to learn more about international travel opportunities for teachers!

Just Announced: A We the People Constitution Tour Challenge

2009-10-19T20:44:00.000+01:00

The 2009-10 We the People Constitution Tour Challenge is brought to you by Brown Rudnick Charitable Foundation.

This year there is more to do before, during, and after your trolley tour about the U.S. Constitution!

Stay tuned here for more information about this exciting challenge for participating schools or go to: wethepeopledc.ning.com.

*NOTE: All participating teachers will also receive the official rules and guidelines prior to their tour.

Center for Civic Education Celebrates Constitution Day with Vote 18 Lessons in DC Schools: Bell, Chavez and Maya

2009-09-18T01:19:00.000+01:00

Learn more about the Center's collaboration with Vote 18 today at http://vote18.org/download/ConstitutionDayPressReleaseSept.pdf

And a special thanks to all the volunteers and teachers that made today's lesson on voting rights possible for nearly 200 students in the District!

Now on YouTube: DC We the People

2009-08-28T11:54:00.000+01:00

Back 2 School with Civics!

2009-08-24T15:48:00.000+01:00

As many DC students return to class today, there are a number of exciting new resources to incorporate in your Social Studies classroom this year. Here are just a few that you won't want to miss:

1. 60 Second Civics from the Center for Civic Education; perfect for an impromptu Warm-Up or Do Now in your classroom. Subscribe to the RSS Feed or Podcasts or just go to www.civiced.org.

2. Our Courts recently launched its first two online games for students of civics everywhere. Play Do I Have a Right or Supreme Decision today by simply clicking on these icons:

3. Vote 18 is coming to the District for a Constitution Day (September 17th) event and would like to reach as many seniors in high school as possible with their engaging, one-day voting lesson. Find out more information by clicking this logo:

We the People SCH Rap from Howard County Kids at Bushy Park Elementary

2009-06-22T17:44:00.000+01:00

In this July 11th video, a group of fifth grade students from Bushy Park Elementary School in Howard County, Maryland get creative with their prepared remarks for the We the People Simulated Congressional Hearings! Check out the first four minutes for the entirety of their response to the judges' questions about the Constitutional Convention or just watch the highlights (3:15 to 4:15) as they "rap" it all up.

They even hit upon DC voting rights...nice work, Team Franklin!

And the Project Citizen Winners Are...

2009-06-08T18:49:00.000+01:00

Over a dozen boards from seven DC schools were in competition at the 2009 District of Columbia Project Citizen Showcase. Following are the winning boards! The first place board will go on to represent the District in the National Showcase at the Legislative Summit for NCSL in Philadelphia from July 20-24th.

First Place- Cesar Chavez Middle School's Parkside Campus

Project: Bridging the Gap to Safety
Student Ambassadors: DeMarco Green, Dahnae Barfield, and Tyrell Williams
Teacher(s): Donna Steele and Bernard Toomer

Second Place- The SEED School

Project: HIV Rise in DC
Student Ambassadors: Mia Hammonds, Victoria Akosile, Alexis Galloway, Bobbie Smith, and I'Rie Clark
Teacher(s): Ian Milne

Third Place- Community Academy's Rand Campus

Project: Safety and Security for Student Success
Student Ambassadors: n/a
Teacher(s): Karen Blake

Honorable Mention- Lincoln Middle School (in partnership with the National Law Enforcement Museum's Education Programs)

Project: The Ups and Downs of Drug Abuse
Student Ambassadors: n/a
Teacher(s): Betsy Bowers and Jason Bulluck

June 3: DC Students' Public Policy Solutions on Display

2009-06-01T17:07:00.001+01:00

2009

District of Columbia

Showcase

Join students and teachers for the event this Wednesday, June 3, at the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives at 17th and M Streets in Northwest. Student-created portfolios will be on display from the following DC schools:

Alice Deal Middle School
Anacostia High School
Cesar Chavez Middle School- Parkside
Community Academy Public Charter School- Rand Campus
Garrison Elementary School
Lincoln Middle School
The SEED School

And some of this year's topics include:

AIDS and HIV in DC
Bridging the Gap to Safety
Obesity in Childhood
Safe Drinking Water in the District
School Violence
The Ups and Downs of Drug Abuse

At least a dozen portfolios and boards will be on display starting at 9:30 am in the Sumner School's gallery #101. An opening ceremony at 9 am in the Lecture Hall (#102) will feature students from Chavez's Parkside Middle School presenting their project in a mock-hearing format. Guests are welcome, but please RSVP before Wednesday by calling the Center for Civic Education at 202-861-8800.

Chavez Students Speak Out About Sotomayor Nomination on ABC 7 News

2009-05-29T19:56:00.000+01:00

DC Social Studies Teachers: Space Is Still Available!

2009-05-06T19:19:00.000+01:00

Don't miss this professional development opportunity!

(Click on the flyer above to download the complete brochure.)

Twenty teachers in the District of Columbia will be selected to participate in this all-expense paid seminar at James Madison's Montpelier in Orange, Virginia from August 3-6th. This three day workshop will feature lectures and discussions by Dr. John Patrick, a retired professor in the School of Education at Indiana University. Participants will also receive copies of Dr. Patrick's most recent books. In addition, teachers will be trained in the implementation of the We the People program's performance based assessment- a simulated congressional hearing. And upon returning to their school, teachers will receive a complete free set of the We the People student texts with a teachers edition. Questions? Contact Justin Rydstrom at 202-861-8800 or rydstrom@civiced.org.

ATTENTION DCPS TEACHERS:
The We the People Summer Seminar is approved for 25 Professional Learning Units (PLUs) with DCPS, simply register online at http://dcps.schoolnet.com/ to earn seat hours towards re-certification. The 2009 We the People text is completely correlated to the DCPS Social Studies standards in grades 4, 8, and 12. Access the complete correlations for Principles of U.S. Government at http://www.civiced.org/pdfs/correlations/DC/DC_WTP.pdf.

Apply now!
(It only takes a few minutes online at http://center.montpelier.org/application.)

2009 DC Urban Debate Championships- May 16

2009-05-05T14:25:00.000+01:00

The DC Urban Debate League's High School Division Championship of the 2008-2009 Season will be held Saturday, May 16, 2009. The location will be announced shortly.

2009 High School Championship Topics

Prostitution should be legalized in the US.
The US should permit unrestricted travel and trade with Cuba.
Marion Barry has done more good than harm for DC.
Internet social networking has a positive effect on high school students.

Registrations should be sent by Laura John-Toussaint, Tournament Director (laura@dcdebate.org), by 5PM, Tuesday, May 12, 2009.

DC Teachers: If you are interested in being trained to coach debate at your school in 2009-10, please contact Colin Touhey at colin2e@dcdebate.org or 202-341-5101, to register for this summer's DC Debate Institute. This intensive program at the University of the District of Columbia introduces teachers to the skill of argumentation and the art of persuasion as well as prepares them to coach the activity. Institute participants will be supplied with everything they need to return to their schools and launch a successful debate program: curricular guides, textbooks, beginning lessons plans, training videos and more.

DC High School Students: Intern with Casey Trees!

2009-05-01T14:46:00.000+01:00

Casey Trees, a non-for-profit organization dedicated to re-greening DC by planting trees, offers an outstanding summer internship in urban forestry for DC high school students. Watch the video here to see what it's all about!

Interns at Casey Trees learn about urban forestry by spending most of their time outside caring for DC street trees but also have one day a week to meet with environmental organizations such as government environmental agencies, community gardens, or historical societies to learn about local jobs in the environmental field. Interns must be DC residents and 16 years of age or older. Interns are paid $9 per hour and work 8 weeks beginning June 23^rd. Apply online here. (Hurry, applications are due Friday, May 8!)

The NLEM's Project Citizen at Lincoln Middle School

2009-04-30T14:05:00.000+01:00

Actor Eric Close, of CBS-TV's "Without A Trace," will talk with Lincoln Multicultural Middle School students about civic engagement on Monday (May 4) at 11 a.m. as part of the National Law Enforcement Museum's school-based educational program. Project Citizen, a curriculum developed by the Center for Civic Education, teaches students how to influence public policy by learning the processes of state and local government, community involvement, and monitoring and influencing policy decisions. Representatives of the museum and Verizon will announce a significant grant to the museum to fund educational and interactive technology programs focusing on interdisciplinary studies including domestic violence prevention. (Source: PR Newswire)

Over 1000 Students Vie for National Civics Championship in DC

2009-04-30T00:56:00.001+01:00

Watch coverage of the event here on Voice of America news:
From Anchorage, Alaska, to North Smithfield, R.I., students from across the country traveled to Washington, D.C., to compete in the 2009 We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution national finals last weekend. About 1,100 students from all 50 states and the Northern Mariana Islands tested their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights during the three-day competition, now in its 22nd year, from April 25-27.

To reach the national finals, classes must win first place in their state competitions. During the proceedings, students serve as expert witnesses testifying on constitutional issues in simulated congressional hearings. Students are scored on their opening statements and answers to follow-up questions by a panel of judges, who grade the students on understanding, constitutional application, reasoning, supporting evidence, responsiveness, and participation.

First-round hearings were Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va. The top-10 finalists' championship round was Monday, April 27, at House office buildings on Capitol Hill in DC.

After the three days of simulated congressional hearings the class from East High School of Denver, Colorado (pictured above), emerged as the national champion. Vestavia Hills High School of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, and Amador Valley High School of Pleasanton, California, took second and third place, respectively. The winners were announced on Monday evening at the awards banquet held at the Omni Shoreham. Students from Vermont's We the People team accepted the 2009 Dale E. Kildee Civitas Award on behalf of Senator Patrick Leahy for his contributions to the field of civic education.

The We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program has reached more than 30 million students and 81,000 teachers since its inception in 1987. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education under the Education for Democracy Act approved by Congress. The program is directed by the Los Angeles-based Center for Civic Education.

President Obama Signs Serve America Act at The SEED School of DC

2009-04-22T11:56:00.000+01:00

President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act into law yesterday at the District's SEED School in Southeast. Coverage of the event ranged from the live new feed on the major networks (see MSNBC video below) to a blog posting by Dan Brown, an English teacher at the SEED School. WaPo also ran an article on the President's visit in today's Metro section.

What a great opportunity for the students in Ian Milne's 7th grade civics class at SEED to see the legislative process in action at their school (while getting hugs from the First Lady and fist bumps from the President of the United States)!

Ourcourts.org Launches

2009-03-16T21:42:00.000Z

As I write my first post for Civics DC, I’m excited for the opportunity to introduce myself and share some news about Our Courts. My name is Jeff Curley, and I work on the Our Courts civics project at Georgetown Law. Fortunately, we’ve been so busy these past few months that we haven’t had much time to watch Georgetown’s basketball season tank.

But for those readers with a tourney-bound team, Our Courts did launch it’s full website www.ourcourts.org just in time for March Madness. The site is the vision of retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to provide free, interactive, online civics tools for students and teachers. The website, for instance, has a place where students can post their thoughts about an important question. Justice O’Connor will publish the best comments and respond regularly with her own opinions. This month’s question is what should President Obama consider if he gets to nominate someone to the Supreme Court? Check it out and tell us what you think!

National Constitution Center Hosts Summer PD

2009-02-27T17:16:00.000Z

The National Constitution Center’s Summer Teacher Institutes offer educators a unique opportunity to collaborate with scholars, leading experts and colleagues from across the country to gain content knowledge on a variety of topics and new methods to educate students. These workshops carry a stipend of $1,000 to cover hotel and other costs, as well as up to $300 for travel costs to Philadelphia, PA.

Educators have three different workshops from which to choose. Just click on the NCC logo above to find out more!

DC Urban Debaters Featured on NPR

2009-02-26T15:20:00.000Z

Today National Public Radio's Morning Edition featured DC students from a number of area schools that participate in the DC Urban Debate League (DCUDL). Listen to the story here that features students and teachers from Cesar Chavez, Bell Multicultural, Thurgood Marshall Academy, Washington Mathematics Science Technology, and The Lab School of Washington, discussing and debating the No Child Left Behind Act.

The fifth DCUDL Middle School Division Tournament of the 2008-2009 season will be held this Saturday, February 28th, at Deal Middle School. Judges and new teams are always welcome! The February middle school debate topics are:

The economic stimulus package will fix the economy.
Tuition and fees for public higher education should be free to students.

DC Urban Debate is no stranger to press. If you missed it, you should also watch this international feature from "We the People" on Al Jazeerah from June 2008. Here is the piece on racial stereotypes, Obama's candidacy, and DC Urban Debate in two segments:

Civic Bloggers Welcome!

2009-02-18T20:29:00.000Z

Civics DC welcomes new bloggers to join us here. The requirements are simple: live or work in DC, work with kids or for students, and share a passion for civic education. Interested? Just contact Justin and explain why you'd like to join Civics DC as a blogger. Ideal candidates would be student leaders, civic teachers, youth group advisers, program coordinators, and anyone else who wants to engage DC students and teachers in become active participants in our city.

Today, Civics DC welcomes Jeff Curley as a new blogger to the site. Jeff works with Sandra Day O'Connor's Our Courts project from Georgetown Law School. The goal of Our Courts is to create an interactive web-based curriculum to engage middle school students in civics. Our Courts is currently developing online games for classroom and non-classroom use. In Our Courts games, students will compete with their friends to achieve civic goals. They will argue cases as a lawyer, decide them as a judge, rewrite the Constitution, and play the three branches of goverment to get something done.

Of course, Jeff and Civics DC will let you know when the games are up and running for all students and teachers to use!

DC Celebrates Lincoln Bicentennial

2009-02-12T23:00:00.000Z

President Obama speaks on Lincoln's legacy in the Capitol Rotunda:

An exhibition opens at the Library of Congress:

(and don't miss the LOC's Lincoln collection on Flickr!)

Ford's Theatre reopens and commemorates Lincoln's life:

(if you can't get there in person, check a virtual tour!)

And of course, the Center for Civic Education has a lesson plan to teach about Lincoln and the Constitution:

2009 We the People Summer Seminar

2009-02-10T14:13:00.001Z

(Click on the flyer above to download the complete brochure.)

Twenty teachers from the District of Columbia will be selected to participate in this all-expense paid seminar at James Madison's Montpelier in Orange, Virginia from August 3-6th. Sponsored by the Center for Civic Education, the Washington, D.C. We the People program, and the Center for the Constitution at Montpelier, this three day, three night workshop will feature lectures and discussions by Dr. John Patrick, a retired professor in the School of Education at Indiana University. Participants will also receive copies of his most recent publications, The Oxford Essential Guide to the U.S. Government and The Supreme Court of the United States: A Student Companion. In addition to these reference texts, teachers will be trained in the implementation of the We the People program's performance based assessment- a simulated congressional hearing. And upon returning to their school, teachers will receive a complete free set of the We the People student texts with a teachers edition.

Apply now!
(It only takes a few minutes online.)

ATTENTION DCPS TEACHERS:
The We the People Summer Seminar is approved 25 Professional Learning Units (PLUs) with DCPS, simply register online at http://dcps.schoolnet.com/ to earn seat hours towards re-certification. The 2009 We the People text is completely correlated to the DCPS Social Studies standards, just click on the document image below to access the complete correlations for Principles of U.S. Government:

The 2009 Youth Mayor's Banquet

2009-02-09T14:16:00.001Z

SAVE THE DATE!

D.C. City Council Chairman Vincent Gray and the members of the D.C. City Council, as well as YMCA DC Youth Mayor Damien White invite you to the Seventh Annual Youth Mayor’s Banquet.

The dinner will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza's Sphinx Room. Reception begins at 5:00 pm with dinner served at 5:30. Join the Honorable Kevin P. Chavous (keynote speaker), our students, city leaders, and our advisory board as we celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s participants.

Tickets are $50. To R.S.V.P., please e-mail or call La Shaun C. Yates or 202-232-6700. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information on sponsorship or the evening, please e-mail Donna J. Purchase. We look forward to seeing you there!

District's Inaugural We the People Middle School Showcase Held at the Sumner School Museum

2009-01-13T02:33:00.000Z

Last Wednesday on January, 7th, over fifty middle school students from The SEED School and DC Prep competed at the inaugural DC Middle School Showcase of We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution at the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives. Here are some pictures from the day's mock congressional hearings:

Michael, Jevian, and Joseph (L to R) from The SEED School testify before a panel of judges about "What shaped the Founders' thinking about government?"

Judges (L to R): Cedric Jennings, Director of Youth Programs for the DC Council; Liza Prendergast, Program Manager for the Center for Civic Education; and Marcie Taylor-Thoma, Coordinator of Social Studies for the Maryland State Department of Education.

DC Prep teacher LaTonya Davis and her students receiving their certificates of achievement.

Congratulations to all the students that competed and their teachers who coached them to success. Thank you to all the judges and volunteers, especially the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary. Pictures from the event were provided courtesy of Merge Films, LLC.

KIPP DC: KEY Academy Holds Congressional Hearings on the U.S. Government

2008-12-05T21:54:00.001Z

Congratulations to the seventy students at KIPP DC: KEY Academy who held mock congressional hearings on the U.S. Constitution and American government earlier today. Teams of eighth grade students of KIPP social studies teacher Julia Buergari held 10 minute hearings for panels of judges on issues such as:

What basic ideas about government did the Founders have?
How did the Framers write our Constitution?
How does the Constitution organize our government?
How does the Constitution protect our basic rights?
What are the responsibilities of citizens?

Lawyers, investors, doctoral students, and other educators came to judge the students presentations according to six criteria: understanding, constitutional application, reasoning, supporting evidence, responsiveness, and participation. While we await the final scores for the winning teams, feedback from the judges was overwhelmingly positive. Judges were thoroughly impressed with the students knowledge and depth of understanding.

Following are some pictures of the competing scholars from the UW, Haverford, and Duke classes in action. We hope to have the final results soon and some KIPP students to represent KEY at the District's We the People competition on Wednesday, January 7!

(More pics coming with the winning unit teams next week!)

A Capital Debate: This Saturday at Friendship Collegiate

2008-12-04T21:09:00.000Z

See teams of high school students compete this Saturday, December 6th in the DC Urban Debate League competition. Small teams from Banneker, Bell Multicultural, Cesar Chavez, Friendship Edison, Hyde, McKinley, Roosevelt, School Without Walls, The Lab School, Thurgood Marshall, Washington Math, Science, and Technology, and Woodstream will all battle it out on the following hot topics:

The US embargo of Cuba should be lifted.
All US states should institute a Safe Haven program.
The legalization of prostitution in the US would do more good than harm.
The random search of passenger bags by Metro is justified.

This debate tournament runs from 9am to 4pm and will be held at Friendship Collegiate Academ y across from the Minnesota Avenue Metro station on the orange line. Come out and see this capital debate!

Lincoln Bicentennial and Law Day 2009

2008-12-02T16:52:00.000Z

Opportunities for teaching civics through history always abound, but like the 2008 election, here's another chance to engage young learners through the Lincoln Bicentennial and the American Bar Association 's Law Day on May 1, 2009.

2009 marks the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, regarded by many as our nation’s greatest and most eloquent president. Lincoln, who devoted much of his adult life to the practice of law, was the quintessential American lawyer-president. His background in the law informed both his actions and his oratory.

For Law Day 2009, the American Bar Association is encouraging efforts nationwide to commemorate Lincoln by exploring this rich and resonant theme – A Legacy of Liberty. To sign up to receive their free planning guide to be mailed late this month, visit the ABA's Law Day website. While you are poking around, you may also want to look at some of the ABA's lessons (many complete with handouts) on topics from due process featuring Yertle the Turtle to equal protection questioning different treatment for different folks.

The Center for Civic Education will also be releasing a special Lincoln Bicentennial supplement that will be available online in January 2009.

"We the People" Trolley Tour PD

2008-12-01T20:54:00.000Z

Join us for a professional development workshop to preview and learn about an exciting opportunity for your 8th grade students! As a participant, you will take an abbreviated trolley tour in DC all about the U.S. Constitution! Come learn what your students will experience, find out about curriculum materials and preview supplemental materials that you will receive when you register for the tour! Beginning this year, these supplemental materials include information about the District's We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program through the Center for Civic Education. The DC trolley tour, sponsored by the We the People Consortium, is free to all 8th graders in DC. Come learn about this unique opportunity for your students. Seat hours/PLUs are available for teachers. Register on DCPS's PD planner or call Dee Hoffman at (301) 309-6601.

WTP Teachers: Assignments, Rubrics, Score Sheets and More

2008-11-24T15:45:00.000Z

Teachers, we've just uploaded some helpful files to the Civics DC blog if you are preparing your students to compete at the DC We the People Competition on January 7, 2009, or holding a mock congressional hearing in your classroom. Simply click on any of these links to download the document (.pdf or .doc):

Writing Assignment Guidelines- Use this if you assign individual We the People essay questions to your students in class before they get into groups.
Scoring Guide- How to score group presentations according to the six criteria: understanding, constitutional application, reasoning, supporting evidence, responsiveness, and participation.
Group Score Sheets- Use these for judges at mock congressional hearings or to grade your own students' work or in-class presentations.
Scoring Rubric- A combination of the above two tools, the scoring guide and score sheets. (See doc image at right.)

If you need additional support with your lesson planning, scope and sequence, or resources prior to the competition, don't hesitate to call Justin at the Center for Civic Education at (202) 861-8800.

DCPS Standards and We the People Correlations

2008-11-18T21:40:00.001Z

You can now find the DCPS standards correlated to the 2009 edition of We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution. To view and download the new textbook's correlations for the required 12th grade Principles of U.S. Government course, simply click on the image of the Level III textbook below:

Youth Vote Up 4-5% in 2008

2008-11-14T23:10:00.000Z

The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) reports that youth turnout was up again in the 2008 presidential election. According to the most recent polling data, “CIRCLE estimates that youth voter turnout rose to between 52 percent and 53 percent, an increase of 4 to 5 percentage points over CIRCLE’s estimate based on the 2004 exit polls. The 2004 election was a strong one for youth turnout, reversing a long history of decline. If we compare 2008 with 2000, the increase in youth turnout is at least 11 percentage points. This year’s youth turnout rivals or exceeds the youth turnout rate of 52% in 1992, which is the highest turnout rate since 1972 (55.4%).” While there is obviously still much room for improvement in young voter turnout, the trend remains positive.

Stay tuned here for complete voting results and turnout from the District next week!

Middle East Delegation Tours Bell Multicultural High School

2008-11-13T15:50:00.001Z

A group of professionals from various Middle Eastern countries (Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and others) spent some time at Bell Multicultural High School on October 22 during their visit to the United States. The delegation was part of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). IVLP works with the US Department of State, US Embassies, and USAID missions around the world to bring delegations to the United States and promote “citizen diplomacy.” During their time at Bell, students in Mr. Hunt's U.S. Government classes got to compare features of our system with their own through group interviews and Venn diagrams. The visitors also participated as panelists while students presented their final portfolio assessment during which students shared the work they had done during the advisory and explained what they had learned in the course.
Above is a picture of one group of students in Mr. Hunt's 2nd period class (L to R: Cindy, Manuel, Maria, and Karen) with panelist and visitor Abdelwahab Shaker from Egypt. Mr. Shaker works at the Library of Alexandria and was a part of the American Studies group visiting the states. Mr. Shaker would like to do more to connect students in Washington, DC with students in Alexandria, Egypt to promote cross-cultural understanding, so stay tuned for updates on a developing civic partnership!

Cesar Chavez: Viva La Causa

2008-11-10T18:45:00.000Z

Civics DC always likes to feature great teaching materials in this blog; today's featured resource- Viva La Causa, comes from Teaching Tolerance at the Southern Poverty Law Center. They have just released their newest video, and (like all their stuff) it's free for teachers! This DVD features the story of Cesar Chavez and his movement for social justice. It comes with a teacher's guide with lesson ideas too. If their other kits are any indication, this one promises to be outstanding too.

Election 2008: A Win for America

2008-11-06T17:24:00.000Z

The results are in and the winner is clear: Barack Obama will be the 44th President of the United States, shown above as he delivered his victory speech in Grant Park, Chicago.

While this election was a win for Democrats, African-Americans, and various interest groups, it is also a win for America in more ways than one. Here are a few video clips that capture it best:

The historic milestone of the nation's first black president is undeniable.

The record voter turnout speaks to health of American democracy.

The clear result allayed fears of an electoral college system that doesn't reflect the will of the majority.

And the worldwide reaction renewed hope in the promise of America's ideals.

IT'S HERE: THE 2008 ELECTION!

2008-11-04T20:07:00.000Z

Follow all the election news here- today, tonight, and tomorrow:

2008 Election Map and Electoral Vote Map: NPR

Youth Vote 2008?

2008-11-03T19:35:00.000Z

With election day tomorrow, there is much talk about the youth vote. By Wednesday morning, we should have some numbers to talk about. Here's an overview from CNN in North Carolina:

If you are 18 or older, be sure you vote! Unsure of your voter registration or polling place? Check out the D.C. Board of Elections.

NCLA Law Day Essay Contest

2008-10-28T16:27:00.000Z

Are you a DC Public School student in the 6th grade? If so, this local contest is for you!

Up to twenty awards will be presented at a very prestigious ceremony in the highest court in our land, the Supreme Court of the United States of America here in your hometown. The contest is sponsored by the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary (NCLA), an organization whose goals include supporting law related education and the American Bar Association's Law Day. It is an affiliate of the American Lawyer’s Auxiliary.

The 2008-09 theme is “You Make a Difference - Liberty under Law: Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy.”

Background and instructions:
Do you know that what you do every day makes a difference in your society and the law of the land? Laws influence your individual conduct in everyday life. This essay contest is designed to help you reflect on the theme as it relates to your own life. How will you ensure equality, liberty and justice?

Did you ever try to play a game where you and your friends had different ideas of what the rules should be? It makes it hard to play. There is often confusion, arguing, frustration, and anger. Sometimes it is impossible to play. Life is like a game; it too has rules such as, you should be to school on time. You should stop for a red light or “Don’t walk” sign. You should pay for things in a store. (Can you think of other rules you follow every day?) We must abide by the rules or suffer the consequences.

Laws are like the rules of a game. Laws are also designed around the ideals of the Golden Rule. “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.” The basis of the law in a democratic society is to treat others, as you want them to treat you. Without laws there would be chaos, just like there is in a game without rules

Write about why YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What can and will you, a sixth grade student in the United States, citizen or resident, do to show that you understand the rights and the responsibilities involved in making good choices? How does following the law assure liberty?

Guidelines:

-250 word essay
-Typed or handwritten in ink
-Submit essays by February 8, 2009

Judging criteria:
-Originality
-Clarity of speech
-Shows understanding of the rule of law
-Illustrates the positive role of law in our society
-Responds to the questions
-Addresses the theme

Mail completed essays to:
Ms. Jean Gordon
10500 Rockville Pike # 1521
Rockville, Maryland 20852

Award Ceremony:

Winners and their teachers are invited to an Awards Ceremony at the Supreme Court on May 2, 2009. Winners receive a certificate and a U.S. Savings Bond.

For further information, contact NCLA members Kitty O’Reilley or Janet Bullinger.

Citizenship 101

2008-10-20T13:47:00.000+01:00

Students, could you pass the new citizenship test? The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) just released an updated version of the test required to gain U.S. Citizenship. You can quiz yourself here or view all 100 of the new questions.

And teachers, the National Constitution Center has also produced A Promise of Freedom to introduce citizenship to almost any group, a twelve-minute video that you can watch here:

You may also wish to use the discussion guide for this video or use the civics flash cards with your students.

1-7-09: Competition Update

2008-10-17T19:25:00.001+01:00

Again, the DC State We the People Competition is scheduled for January 7, 2009 from approximately 8-3. It will be held at the historic Charles Sumner school at 17th and M Streets in Northwest. Lunch will be provided for students and teachers; travel costs for your school will also be covered (Metro or charter bus).

The format of the event will be unique this year, with middle school showcases and the high school competition. Middle school classes are invited to prepare testimony on any unit in the text; we will only be using the level two questions numbered "1" this year (pages 2, 5, 8, 11, 14 & 17). High school classes seeking to represent the District at Nationals must prepare testimony to all three questions for each of the six units (with the 2008-09 state level questions).

If you have any questions, are interested in competing, or would like to learn more about We the People, please contact Justin at (202) 861-8800.

WTP Videos

2008-10-16T19:42:00.000+01:00

Students and teachers using We the People to get ready for a mock congressional hearing or for the DC State Competition may be interested in the following video resources to introduce the program and its format.

To start, here is a three minute overview of We the People:

Or here is a quick spot from CNN on the 2008 Nationals:

And here is a full ten minute video of one middle school group presenting in Denver, Colorado. This is Unit 1, Question #1:

Finally, here is a fifteen minute video of a high school team presenting at the National Finals held in a real congressional hearing room! This is Unit 3, Question #3:

Do you need help preparing your DC students? Please contact the Center for Civic Education at (202) 861-8800, and we'll connect you with someone to come into your class.

"We the People" Constitution Tour

2008-10-15T16:45:00.000+01:00

Together, the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the National Park Service's National Mall & Memorial Parks, the Supreme Court, and the National Archives provide the perfect setting for learning about our nation's Constitution. Working in partnership with Children's Concierge and Old Town Trolley Tours, these organizations have developed a full day We the People Constitution Tour for middle school students studying civics in the DC public and public charter schools. The Center for Civic Education is proud to join in the work of this outstanding consortium to provide a sample copy of our Level 2 We the People text to teachers attending the trip. We are also available to work with teachers to develop a corresponding unit to teach citizenship and the U.S. Constitution according to DCPS curriculum standards. This FREE tour makes a great culminating event after studying units 2-4 in 8th grade (see pages 24-26). Interested in learning more? Mark your calendar now to attend our professional development event on Thursday, December 11th from 4-7pm at Stuart-Hobson Middle School in Northeast DC.

DC Arts & Humanities Collaborative PD

2008-10-08T21:08:00.000+01:00

The DC Arts & Humanities Education Collaborative has just released their Professional Development guide for the 2008-09 academic year. The DC Collaborative has great opportunities across the disciplines, including some great programs on history, differentiation, and classroom management. Hopefully next year their will be some more civic education opportunities also! For those unfamiliar with the DC Collaborative, you may also want to learn more about their Arts for Every Student (AFES) program which is open to all DC public schools and a great addition to any classroom!

McCain-Obama Debate #2

2008-10-07T16:13:00.000+01:00

It's been amazing to see how many kids (and adults) are tuning in to the debates- 70 million! A couple of ninth grade classes at Chavez's Parkside campus were even up on the VP debate in class last Friday- it's seemed that a majority had actually tuned in.

Tonight will be the second presidential debate between McCain and Obama at 9pm tonight with a town hall format. Use page 16 of this guide to score the debate yourself. Students and teachers, share your own reactions on this post or join the Civics DC group at the bottom of this page.

Spectacular Things!

2008-10-02T17:21:00.000+01:00

Students and teachers, check out what this fifth grade class in Chicago did when they got engaged in the civic process. Read an excerpt from the book by Brian D. Schultz here. And for another preview of the book, you can watch this video by the kids from Room 405 now!

For more information on the Project Citizen curriculum and how to implement it, call us at the Center for Civic Education or contact the DC Coordinator.

Are you reppin'?

2008-10-01T22:22:00.000+01:00

Are you representing your friends? your school? your neighborhood? your ward?

Perhaps you are in some way, but why don't you take it to the next level?

Join the DC Youth Advisory Council:
This group of students represents youth issues to the Mayor of DC. Applications are due this week. Current members will be out spreading the word about DCYAC and registering folks to vote at this weekend's Columbia Heights Day. Now that's civic engagement! And you can check out what else they've been up to on their blog here.

Practicing Free Speech (and more)

2008-09-30T20:20:00.000+01:00

Visit The Five Freedoms Network
Join the network and help us improve civic education in DC.

What if you were elected President?

2008-09-30T15:44:00.000+01:00

OK, so maybe you won't win this election (and you do have to be 35 years old to hold office), but you can win $2500 from the New America Foundation if you have the best answer for how the president can help kids in the U.S. The essay is for 12th grade students and entries are due by February 20, 2009. Last year, senior Yolanda Long from Banneker won with her essay. Interested? You can learn more about the contest here!

1-7-09: DC State Competition

2008-09-30T15:10:00.001+01:00

The District's "We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution " competition will be held on Wednesday, January 7th at the historic Charles Sumner School from 8am-3pm. Travel and lunch will be covered for schools that participate and this year's competition will be open to both middle school and high school students. For more information on how prepare your students or to register your class to compete, contact us at (202) 281-0001 or rydstrom@civiced.org.

Let the debates begin!

2008-09-26T19:11:00.000+01:00

It now appears that the debates will begin as planned tonight, with the first general election debate between Obama and McCain scheduled for 9pm. Did you know that the first televised presidential debate was 48 years ago today? Teachers, make connections between these debates and others with a lesson or two next week. Here's the Kennedy-Nixon debate from 1960:

Let's Get Political

2008-09-26T17:41:00.001+01:00

Election 2008

2008-09-26T14:42:00.000+01:00

News of the 2008 presidential contest has peaked the interest of students and teachers across the District and the United States. Youth voting was up in the primaries and some predict record turnout on November 4th. We'll be posting links to election resources on the right and featuring some in our blog postings. How about this survey tool from ProCon.org? It can help you choose a candidate based on the issues and their importance to you. Students, are your parents registered to vote in DC? There are only 10 days left because voter registration closes in D.C. on Monday, October 6, 2008. Help them register online here (and then mail in the form)!

We the People PD

2008-09-25T19:44:00.000+01:00

Look here for upcoming professional development opportunities for DC teachers. Interested in learning more about the curriculum and receiving materials? Don't hesitate to contact me at (202) 861-8800 or rydstrom@civiced.org.

Welcome to Civic Engagement, DC-style

2008-09-25T18:02:00.000+01:00

Welcome to a new blog for DC students and teachers to engage in civics. This site is maintained by the Center for Civic Education's We the People: DC program, but will be a home for all things civic in our nation's capital city. Check back here frequently for news, links, and dialogs. It is our hope that this will build a community civic educators and students in the District of Columbia. So with that, let the civic discourse begin!