How to Build a Citizen
By Mary Ellen Bafumo

Among the topics included in social studies is civics, a term that sounds outdated today. Yet civics is at the heart of social studies, addressing important knowledge about our democracy and the roles and responsibilities of its citizens.

Although needed for a vibrant democracy, civics doesn't get consistent time or attention in the curriculum. In fact, national assessments in civics demonstrate an all-time low in understanding how a democracy works and of the demands on its citizenry.

The good news
The good news is that it's easy to integrate civics into other content areas and into classroom processes without taking lots of time. Making the classroom a democracy is a good way to begin – here are some activities to get you started:

1. Give students opportunities to vote on issues relevant to the classroom – rules, field trips, service projects and, when possible, the sequence of topics to study.
2. Each month, elect new classroom leaders and provide opportunities for them to lead. Note civics vocabulary (majority rule, legislate, etc.) and add it to a word wall.
3. Place classroom activities in the context of the larger democracy to provide an understanding of participation and leadership.
4. Have students read newspapers and magazines that focus on current events to develop the habit of acquiring information about the world around them. Discuss events that are age-appropriate and engaging for assignments that develop expressive and persuasive oral and written language.
5. Create awareness of national, state or local leaders by posting their photographs in your classroom. Play "Who's Who?" and ask students to name the person in a photo, his or her title and job description. In a unit on community, ask the class to contact government officials who can address challenges the students uncover.
6. Engage in debates on issues relevant to students, like cafeteria food or homework assignments, before tackling actual political issues. Encourage concise, respectful language and listening skills. Learning to listen to and consider the views of others has lifelong value to your students. Integrating civics content provides opportunities for participation and leadership that may have long term benefits for kids, and for our nation, too.

Mary Ellen Bafumo directs principal and teacher development at the Council for Educational Change.

October 2003, Vol.34, No.2