Creating curriculum to encourage thoughtful citizenship

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Abstract

Citizenship education is an important component of instruction in elementary and middle school. The "make a country" curriculum is a way for students to study several aspects of citizenship. By fashioning a new "country," students come to see the responsibilities of citizenship firsthand. LaTasha Palmer shared this effective practice with the Promising Practices in Afterschool e-mail discussion list on July 4, 2003.

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Issue

Finding innovative ways for elementary and middle school students to think about citizenship issues.

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Action

The Create a Country Classroom curriculum can be used with grades one through six. Have students address the following issues when creating their countries:

    1. Government

      2. What type of government will there be? Is it a democracy, monarchy, dictatorship, or something that combines elements of several types? Everyone in the group must agree on the type of government.

    2. Requirements of creating the government

      • Have students name their country.
      • Students may not use the names of the already existing government types, even if they chose to use that government.
      • Whatever government students choose, they should have leaders of that group. These leaders also must have a title other than what they are normally called.
      • Students should hold an election within their group to decide on government officials.

    3. People

      • What are the rights of the people?
      • The Bill of Rights should be typed, copied, and signed by each student in the group.
      • The rights should be clearly stated so that anyone choosing to move to this country would understand them.

    4. Laws

      1. What are the laws of the country?
        • Should everyone wear blue on Fridays?
        • Students should state laws clearly!
        • Type them and/or post them for everyone to see.
        • Everyone should respect /follow all laws!
      2. What are the consequences of those who break the laws?
      • Will there be a judicial system?
      • Will the leaders do all the punishing?
      • Will all the laws have the same consequences?
      • Can anyone arrest lawbreakers or will they have to file a grievance?
      • Make sure the laws don't violate the country's Bill of Rights.

    5. Money

      • What kind of money will the country have?
      • How will people earn money in this country? Will the government give citizens money to start with?
      • Will citizens have to earn food and necessities instead of money?
      • Will citizens have to pay taxes? If so when, how long, how much, and what will the government do with the tax money?
      • What will the money look like? Have students produce money for their country and start earning money according to the system they have instituted in their country.

    6. Constitution

      • What is the government's responsibility to the people?
      • What is the people's responsibility to the government?

    7. Geography

      • What does this country look like?
      • Is this country a new continent? An attachment to another continent?
      • Does the country have states?
      • Have students draw a map that can later be displayed at the International Faire.

    8. Flag

      9. The flag should represent this new country. Have students make a flag.

    9. History

      • Students should document everything they have created about their country.
      • Have students create a book about their country.

    10. Create a poster that shows your country at a glance (to be displayed at the International Faire).
      • What is the favorite food of people living in your country? Make samples to share at the faire.
      • Is the clothing of the people important? Do citizens have traditional clothing that everyone should where?
      • Design some clothing and have everyone wear it at the faire.
      The International Faire is held at the end of the project and is planned by the students. This is a chance for them to show off their country and answer questions from other students or parents (who are invited). Teachers can issue students "passports" that they can get stamped as they visit the other countries, and ask questions. At the fair, have students try to build alliances with other countries in the event of a war or natural disaster.

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Context

  • This activity is used in grades one through six. The younger students need more "hands on" assistance but can easily understand all the concepts.
  • This activity can be done over the course of six weeks or more.
  • Teachers must be diligent facilitators to make sure not only that the students are being creative but that things make sense.

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Outcome

This activity promotes writing, reading, technology (research on the computer), teamwork, and students thinking/learning about citizenship in a very vivid way.

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Evidence

This curriculum has been used with success at Capri Elementary School in Encinitas, California.

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Posted On

July 17, 2003

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For More Information

LaTasha Palmer
Phone: (760) 224-9209

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Resources

The Promising Practices in Afterschool Listserv is a virtual community of afterschool program staff, youth workers, school-age care providers, educators, researchers, policymakers, and others with an interest in keeping up-to-date on the latest in afterschool.

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Related sites

Learn and Serve America

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