We the People ... Project Citizen

The goal of this civic education program, written for six through ninth grade students in the form of an instructional guide/student workbook, is to help students develop citizenship skills important for intelligent and effective participation in a self-governing society. Specific educational objectives include helping students learn: (1) how to express their opinions; (2) how to decide which level of government and which agency is most appropriate for dealing with the community problems they identify; and (3) how to influence policy decisions at that level of government. The guide provides students with step-by-step instructions for identifying and studying a public policy problem and for developing a class portfolio, a cumulative organized collection of information (statements, charts, graphs, photographs, and original art work) that makes up the class plan related to the public policy issue studied. This student instructional guide is organized into the following sections: "Step I: Identifying Public Policy Problems in Your Community"; "Step II: Selecting a Problem for Class Study"; "Step III: Gathering Information on the Problem Your Class Will Study"; "Step IV: Developing a Class Portfolio"; "Step V: Presenting Your Portfolio"; and "Step VI: Reflecting on Your Learning Experience." Additional resources provided include a glossary of 50 relevant civics terms and nine appendices consisting of sample lists of libraries, newspapers, professors/scholars, lawyers/ judges/bar associations, businesses, community and interest groups, as well as city, state, and U.S. government offices, all community resources that students can research locally with the appropriate reference materials (telephone books/directories, business directories, and lists of public service organizations) available at most public libraries. Illustrations also are included. (CB)