New Civics Certificate Program!

Posted on November 30, 2015 by stevemasy

Well, we here at the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship got some great news recently. Last year, I told you about our effort to create a civics certificate program for pre-service social studies teachers. Well, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the program here at UCF has been approved! While the program is, for budgetary, personnel, and university reasons, currently limited to University of Central Florida students, we hope in the future to create a graduate version of the program that we can offer to practicing teachers. We also hope to establish this certificate in other academic institutions across the state!
So what will this program involve? Well, the idea behind the certificate is that it will
provide the content, skills, and pedagogies needed to deliver instruction for 7th grade Civics in Florida. This would, we hope, improve the teacher’s ability to prepare their kids for the Civics EOCA at the end of the course (NOT the naturalization test, mind you!). It will also, we believe, support US Government instruction in high school, especially as there is some overlap across the benchmarks. It is open to UCF students who meet the following requirements:

3.0 GPA in major
Completion of POS 2041 (American National Government) with at least a C.
One page letter of intent: ‘Why does civics teaching matter?’
Admission (or pending admission) to Social Science Education BS program

The program sequence is focused on best preparing students for the course that they will hopefully teach, and it includes an internship component that focuses on local government. After all, what better practice can you get to teach civics than to actually see civics in action at the local level! The course sequence is provided below:

12 Credit Hours:

POS 4932: Teaching American Politics and Government
POS 3272: Civic Engagement
POS 4941: Internship in Florida Local Government
SSE 4932: Teaching Civics in Florida

We will be hosting an open house here at the Lou Frey Institute on Tuesday, 01 December at 5pm to talk more about this exciting new program! We hope to see you here. :)

Making a Difference: Friday’s Close Up Broward Youth Policy Summit Expo

Posted on November 23, 2015 by stevemasy

As you will recall from my last post, I was headed down to Broward County to see the great work being done there by the ESOL department within the district and by the Close Up Foundation. I am happy to say that it was a wonderful experience to see so many young immigrants dedicated to improving their communities and learning what it means to be a citizen. These 200 young people, almost all of whom have been in this country for three years or less, presented their civic-oriented proposals for feedback and discussion with local citizens, community leaders, and other interested parties. An overview of the expo can be seen below.

What do I like about this? Where to start! It gives young people, new to this country a chance to engage in the process of civic life and civic work. It gets them thinking not only about problems, but about solutions. It develops their communication skills and their ability to talk with leaders and community members, such as district superintendent Robert Runcie, who can make a difference in their lives. No, let me revise that. It allows these kids to have a sense that THEY are making a difference THEMSELVES. Isn’t that what we want for our young people? That sense of belonging, of advocacy, and of efficacy as citizens?

Over 200 fresh young immigrants share policy proposals with the state and Broward community

I had the great pleasure of talking with many of these kids about their proposals, and it was incredibly refreshing to hear them articulate a passion for change and a desire to make a difference as residents and, yes, as citizens. They addressed issues of concern to both them and their community, were open to feedback and suggestions to strengthen their proposals, and demonstrated an understanding of the difference they could make, and why this effort mattered. It was wonderful to see. In the rest of this post, you can take a look at just a few of the dozens of proposals that these young immigrants shared.

How can we reduce testing in schools and still ensure kids are learning?

Let’s make sure that everyone has access to quality health services!

How can we make sure that schools have equitable access to resources?

Let’s make sure that all able-bodied people can both work and support their families!

It doesn’t have to be 15 dollars an hour to make a difference and help both business and the community!

We need to address issues with teen violence in schools, especially in low SES areas!

These are just a few of the many different policy proposals that these wonderful kids came up with. Others involved protection of the environment, changing the role of the school counselor away from a testing coordinator to actual counselling, medical marijuana, school bullying, teen pregnancy, and so many more areas of relevance and concern in the immigrant community, in Broward, in Florida, and in the nation. Kudos to both Broward ESOL and the Close Up Foundation in this work. You can find additional images on the Expo at the Broward ESOL Facebook page, as well as through the Close Up Foundation’s Twitter feed (and they worth a follow!). I am excited to see what comes next, and I hope that we here at the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship might find ways to help in this effort down the road. So much promise!

Just Read, Florida! Civics Literacy Project

Posted on November 6, 2015 by stevemasy

Just Read, Florida! has decided to focus on civics this year, and are sponsoring a wonderful opportunity for schools and districts. In addition to a contest and in partnership with the Florida Lottery, Just Read, Florida! is taking the show on the road with the TOSS-UP Quiz Show tour. Just Read, Florida! will conduct a fun and exciting quiz show contest at schools around the state targeting middle school students and testing their mastery of the civics standards. Be sure to check out the Just Read, Florida! website for more information on the TOSS UP Quiz Show. The Florida Joint Center for Citizenship was involved in the crafting of the questions for the quiz show.

The Florida Department of Education’s Just Read, Florida! Office along with various educational partners are seeking project submissions created by elementary (grades K‐5), middle (grades 6‐8) and high schools (grades 9‐12) designed to promote good citizenship and enhance literacy in the state of Florida. The contest is being held in conjunction with “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! 2016” which will be January 25‐29, 2016.
The theme for the Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! 2016 Literacy‐Civics School Service Project Contest is “Literacy Changes Our World”.

WHAT A COMMUNITY LITERACY‐CIVICS SERVICE PROJECT MAY CONTAIN:
-An organized literacy‐based service project involving students, teachers and
surrounding community partners.
-A goal of enhancing citizenship in students, reaching others and expanding their
literacy skills.
-Evidence of the project’s successful impact on the targeted audience which may
include those in the school, neighborhood, community and beyond.
-Evidence of creativity and/or innovation in the selection and implementation of
the project.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
-Documentation and written summary of the focus, goals, challenges and
successes of the project. This may be done through, but is not limited to,
narratives, photos, video, recordings and data collection.
-Project Mission Statement (500 words or less)
-Release forms should be included for any participant involved in video, photos,
recordings and data collection.
-By submitting your works, you are releasing publication and talent presentation
rights to the Florida Department of Education and are certifying that the work is
free of copyright violations.
-Only one submission per school per level served (elementary, middle, high
school levels) is permitted.
-Student participation is required.
-Submissions should be faithful to the topic, “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!
2016 – Literacy Changes Our World.”
Be sure to review the rubric for this project!

Submissions may be emailed to CLW2015@fldoe.org or mailed to
Florida Department of Education
Just Read, Florida!
325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1432
Tallahassee, Fl. 32399
Submissions must include the following and be submitted by December 11,
2015.
o Documentation and written summary
o Project mission statement
o Release forms (Required for each student involved in video, photos,
recordings and data collection
o Completed application form
PRIZES:
-The first place winning school from the elementary, middle and high school
levels will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize or gift card.
-The second place winning school from the elementary, middle and high school
levels will be awarded a $500 cash prize or gift card.
-The third place winning school from the elementary, middle and high school
levels will be awarded a $250 cash prize or gift card.
The Just Read, Florida! Office reserves the right to limit awards when the total number of submissions received for one category is below ten or if the quality of submissions does not meet the standard of excellence as stated in the requirements.
Please visit http://www.justreadflorida.com/ and select Celebrate Literacy Week,
Florida! for more information on this contest and the exciting events and activities
scheduled for the week. For questions or additional information, email CLW@fldoe.org or follow us on Twitter @EducationFL or by using #CLW2016.

Florida Women’s History Month Essay Contest!

Posted on October 28, 2015 by stevemasy

So, as you can see from the flyer above, the Florida Commission on the Status of Women is sponsoring an essay contest for all Florida students in grades 6-9. It’s a great opportunity for students to reflect on the role of women in the 21st century and what would make a women ‘Hall of Fame worthy’. A couple of interesting questions as well for students to consider:

Girls – It is 20 years in the future and you are being inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame. Write about the accomplishments of your life and how you have made a difference to women and to society.
Boys – It is 20 years in the future and you are nominating a woman for induction into the Women’s Hall of Fame. Write about the accomplishments of her life and how she has made a difference to women and to society.

The top first grade essays (by grade level) will be read by the students when they are recognized in Tallahassee on the 3rd Annual Florida Woman’s Day in January.
Deadline for entry in November 13. You can find the essay packet here. Good luck! :)

Florida Women’s History Month Essay Contest!

Posted on October 28, 2015 by stevemasy

A bellringer for teaching about campaigns, elections and the media

Posted on October 22, 2015 by stevemasy

It’s always exciting when we can share ideas for teaching about important stuff, and today’s suggestion was inspired by Cherie Arnette, the social studies supervisor for Escambia County (check out their civics review site!). She emailed us asking if we could come up with a bellringer activity to help teacher Florida Civics benchmarks SS.7.C.2.9, 2.10, or 2.11. For those unfamiliar with these benchmarks, 2.9 asks students ti evaluate a candidate for political office. 2.10 asks students to examine the impact of media, individuals, and interests on monitoring and influencing government. 2.11 has students analyzing media and political communications. You can get a good overview of each benchmark and their associated clarifications by visiting the Test Item Specifications book.
Cherie also asked us to start with this wonderfully evocative ‘Draft Biden’ ad below that aired during the Democratic debate (obviously before his announcement that he wouldn’t run).

For me, tears for sure. In any case, our own Valerie McVey suggested that the following might be perfect benchmark-aligned bellringer options for this ad. Note that ‘BC’ refers to ‘Benchmark Clarifications’. Review the test item specifications to explore those more.

C.2.9: Evaluate candidates for political office by analyzing their qualifications, experience, issue-based platforms, debates, and political ads.
BC 3 – Students will be able to analyze and/or evaluate the qualifications of candidates for public office based on their experience, platforms, debates, and political advertisements.

– What does this advertisement tell you about Joe Biden’s experience? Personal and professional? What evidence from the video helped you determine your answer?
– What does “Run, Joe” at the end of the advertisement mean?
– Is he a candidate for president?

C.2.10: Examine the impact of media, individuals, and interest groups on monitoring and influencing government.
BC 1 – Students will identify the methods used by the media to monitor and/or influence the government.

– The Draft Biden SuperPAC created this advertisement. (You might include a point about the difference between PACs and SuperPACs, but encourage teachers not to get caught up in this and forget the other questions. :)
– What is a political action committee? (content focus term)
– What is Draft Biden’s goal in creating this advertisement? How do you know?

C.2.11: Analyze media and political communications (bias, symbolism, propaganda).
BC 1 – Students will use scenarios to identify bias, symbolism, and propaganda.

– Remind students of the definition of bias.
– What is the bias of this advertisement? What evidence from the video helped you determine your answer?

BC 2 – Students will evaluate how bias, symbolism, and propaganda can impact public opinion.

– Remind students of the definition of public opinion.
– How might this advertisement impact or influence the public opinion of Joe Biden? What evidence from the video helped you determine your answer?

My own suggestion was to compare this ad to the language and elements of ‘The Man from Abilene’ (1952 Eisenhower) or ‘The Man from Libertyville’ (1956 Stevenson), which take a completely different tone concerning the qualifications of a presidential candidate and what matters. Both of those ads are available on the fantastic ‘Living Room Candidate’ website!

We are always looking for new ideas and ways to approach content. If you have anything, please share!

A bellringer for teaching about campaigns, elections and the media

Posted on October 22, 2015 by stevemasy

C.2.11: Analyze media and political communications (bias, symbolism, propaganda).
BC 1 – Students will use scenarios to identify bias, symbolism, and propaganda.

– Remind students of the definition of bias.
– What is the bias of this advertisement? What evidence from the video helped you determine your answer?

BC 2 – Students will evaluate how bias, symbolism, and propaganda can impact public opinion.

We are always looking for new ideas and ways to approach content. If you have anything, please share!

Joint Center for Citizenship Webinar Interest Survey!

Posted on October 21, 2015 by stevemasy

Friends, we need your help so that we may in turn provide YOU with what you desire. One of the goals here at the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship is to provide teachers and the community with the professional development and resources they desire. In pursuit of this goal, we would like to begin a new and ongoing webinar series around topics of interest to the social studies and civics educator. In order to determine what sorts of webinars we will offer, we have created a quick survey that asks you to rank order topics and select days and times that work for you. Each webinar will range from 30 to 90 minutes, and all webinars will be permanently archived and available following the session. If none of the potential topics listed in the survey interest or are needed by you, PLEASE tell us what you would like!

You can help us out by completing the survey here!