CONNECTING
CLASSROOM LEARNING OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL
National research shows the best way to build knowledge, skills and
comprehension is to connect learning opportunities at school, home and after
school. You can help students learn by supporting civic learning all day long
and all year long - every year. Learning extends outside of the classroom
through the Kids
Voting Election experience,
youth civic activities and more.
Parents
Civic learning is a terrific family activity. Impacts on student, school and
family are positive and strong, and go well beyond a mock election. Contact your
School Representative to find out how your school involves itself in civic
learning. Talk with the principal and School Representative about your ideas for
programs at your school.
Things you can do to build civic literacy
- READ THE NEWSPAPER, BLOGS, AND OTHER IN-DEPTH NEWS
SOURCES WITH YOUR CHILD
Reading the news together enhances critical
thinking, increases civic knowledge and improves vocabulary.
- DO TALK POLITICS AT THE DINNER TABLE
Find out
what issues are important to your kids and what they think we should be doing
about them.
- LEARN WHAT GOVERNMENT DOES, AND WHO MAKES THE DECISIONS
Know which government is responsible for which services, how they are funded and
who makes the decisions.
- CONNECT CURRENT AND HISTORIC EVENTS
Use
today's news to explore and understand leaders, decisions and events that
happened earlier in time. Or reverse it: use history to understand the day's
events.
- KEEP A MAP HANDY
Hang a city, state, US and/or
world map in your family room. When you discuss a news story, find track it on
the map. Are there places where more news happens? Why?
- RESEARCH THE CANDIDATES AND ISSUES
Discover
the issues and learn where the candidates stand. The
Kids Voting website has great resources and is a good place to start. Don't
stop when Election Day is over - keep tracking the newly elected candidates to
see how they do on their campaign promises.
- WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR, POST TO A BLOG, OR UPLOAD A
VIDEO TO YOUTUBE
Share your opinions on important community issues and
start a conversation. The
Facebook page is a great place to start.
- SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH AN ELECTED OFFICIAL
Write a family letter, call, or send an email to a local official, School Board
member, Congressperson, or even the President. Let them know what you want for
our community. Attend government meetings and speak out!
- SET AN EXAMPLE
Stay informed
about current issues, educate yourself about how our government works, be active
in your community, and be open to dialogue about our community’s challenges,
policies and opportunities.
- READ THE NEWS, AND BOOKS TO YOUR CHILD THAT PROMOTE CIVIC
INVOLVEMENT
Incorporating non-fiction and
informational text as your child learns to read helps to boost skills and
comprehension in reading and civic literacy.
- VOTE – AND TAKE YOUR CHILD WITH YOU WHEN YOU DO
You can get your kids in the habit of voting by participating in
Kids Voting's Election Experience at your precinct. Students learn about and
experience democracy through a combination of classroom and community
activities, an authentic voting experience, and community & family dialogue.
Youth program providers
Consider civic education as a resource for academic enrichment and 21st
century skill development. We partner with a variety of community organizations
to provide
curriculum,
election experiences,
community activities and more. Youth partners include Citizen Schools, 4H,
Scouts, Junior Achievement, Generation Engage, ASEP programs, Partners in
Out-of-School Time and many more. Education partners include
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and many non-public schools.
Making it possible
Our work is made possible through its partnerships in the
Charlotte-Mecklenburg community including schools, teachers, election officials,
businesses, community leaders, and thousands of dedicated volunteers.
Learn more
about us and how you can help build civic literacy, citizenship and leadership
for a lifetime.