Participatory Citizenship: A Learned Way of Living

Abstract

Student involvement in a continuous, integrated, and sequential program of awareness, exposure, and skill development can have an immediate impact upon values clarification and knowledge acquisition, and a long-range effect upon social change and environmental stewardship. Designed to suit the learning styles of students, the activities are classroom and field based within the context of the community. Beginning in the nearby community, students gain insight into the need to create, maintain, and protect areas. As inquiry encompasses the world beyond the local community, the studies become more abstract and the experiences vicarious in nature. Grade 5 activities focus on cooperation, grade 6 on social organization, and grades 7-8 on cultures. The outline of the stages of cultural consciousness suggests a design of a culture awareness program for kindergarten through grade 12. Issues of citizenship in the global community comprise include two articles on citizenship. The incorporation of community resources into the curriculum provides a reality based approach to learning. Ideas for community based learning provide strategies to implement a program and methods to utilize and organize resources. (Author/CK)