2010-2011 Fairbanks Class

FREE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY

Open to 4th-6th grade teachers in Fairbanks and neighboring districts, SERRC - Alaska's Educational Resource Center and the Center for Civic Education are pleased to offer the School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program/Civics Education course. In it's third year, this class combines the Center for Civic Education's We the People, Project Citizen and Foundations of Democracy curricula to teach civics to upper elementary students.

This program will take place over four weekend trainings in Fairbanks.

Participants who successfully complete the course are eligible to earn three professional development credits and a $500 stipend.

Classes take place at UAF from 8-4 (breakfast and lunch provided) on the following dates:

September 25 & 25

November 6 & 7

January 29 & 30

March 5 & 6

Transportation and hotel costs will be provided to participants traveling from neighboring districts to Fairbanks.

This course is free except for participants who wish to earn UA credits (cost $90).

"This is the only way to teach the Constitution"
- Annette Valdez, Anchorage Participant

• This program is designed to help students understand the concepts of responsibility, authority, justice, and privacy (Foundations of Democracy), the history and importance, and relevance of the U.S. Constitution, and how to engage students in the public process to change laws and/or policies.
• The books, lessons, and activities are kid-friendly, interactive, and fun!
• The School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program combines the Center for Civic Education's "Foundations of Democracy", "We the People," and "Project Citizen" curricula, provides professional development training for teachers, and all the material to integrate this program into your classroom.
  Studies show that this curriculum can - and has - reduced school violence by engaging students at the upper elementary school level in civics education and tolerance training.

Tolerance and Civic Responsibility is a curriculum, training, and research-based program that provides students with opportunities to engage in high quality civic education and teachers with training and material to incorporate civic education into their classrooms. The curriculum is designed to improve student's civic knowledge, skills, attitudes and provide training opportunities for teachers that support the curriculum and emphasize critical thinking, cooperative learning, group problem solving, and performance-based assessments.

Expectations of Teacher Participants

• Use the program in the classroom for a minimum of 90 hours
• Lead students in three culminating projects from the program
• Maintain ongoing electronic communication via e-mail
• Schedule an observational visit for your classroom
• Attend all training sessions.

This program is funded by a grant from the United States Department of Education to the Center for Civic Education to study ways in which civic values and principles might be used to create a positive effect on violence among youth.