We the Civics Kids: Supporting Operation Civics in Our Elementary Schools

• In Event: The Challenges and Possibilities of Including Students in School Leadership

Abstract

We the Civics Kids is a K-8 civic program that marries literacy and civic literacy to build civic knowledge, promote engagement, give practice in democratic deliberation, and strengthen literacy skills. This Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement program offers a rich collection of intentional read-alouds and lessons that provide the foundation for understanding complex concepts connected to citizenship. The program also gives students insight into our judicial system via participation in literature-based mock trials. Piloting at E.M. Stanton, a K-8 school in Philadelphia, we saw a growing number of students eager and able to share and support their opinions; become engaged in classroom/school activities; and learn about and understand our system government. Following the culminating mock trial experience, student and staff feedback was extremely positive, which set the stage for further work and research on the We the Civics Kids civic and youth leadership approach.

Author

• Anne Spector, Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement