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| CITIZENSHIP |
| Quote of the Month: There is a big difference between
what you have a right to do and what is right to do. - Potter
Stewart |
| RELATED
LINKS: |
| The Do-Gooder's Guide pdf
/ Volunteer Matters |
| Citizenship |
| Citizenship is about making whatever
organization you're a part of better because you're there. Ask
your student(s) questions like: |
- How are the Scouts better because you're a
member?
- How is your family better because you're in
it?
- How is your sports team better because you're
a team mate?
- What strengths do you bring to a group?
- What areas of growth do you need to work on?
- How would Westwood be different without you?
- How is Westwood better because you're here?
- Good citizens do more than just show up, they
contribute in a positive way wherever they go.
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| Military
Honors |
| Our focus on Citizenship
wouldn't be complete without honoring the heroic efforts of our
Military personnel. Whether you're reading a patriotic story like
America's White Table by Margot Theis-Raven or writing
a thank-you note to a soldier on active duty, pausing to remember
and support these heroes is important not just around Veteran's
Day, but year round. |
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Ask your student(s) to research each branch
of the Military and find out what its motto is. For example, which
branch charges, "Be All That You Can Be," and does it
currently use that same slogan? You can also look for the musical
selection that corresponds with each branch. Ask, for instance,
which branch of the military uses the song Anchors Aweigh? Students
can even take a virtual tour online of an Academy like West Point
or the Naval Academy. Or study your ancestry and see if you have
any Veterans in your family tree.
Another way to show your citizenship is to
become pen pals with a soldier. Whether they're on an American
base or stationed in Iraq, our soldiers LOVE to receive mail from
their littlest fans. There are many websites which make it easy
to connect in this way; the two that come to mind are
http://www.amillionthanks.org
and http://www.letssaythanks.com.
Visit them for ways in which to show your support
with a card, a letter, or a care package.
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| Using
Books About Heroes |
| There's nothing more
powerful than the study of heroes to enforce character traits
that we're trying to build in tomorrow's leaders. Whether the
hero did something bad that he rectified - like George Washington
and the cherry tree incident - or whether she's known strictly
for her good deeds - like Betsy Ross sewing the flag - reading
about and discussing these heroes in history is a promising practice. |
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If a biography won't keep your student's attention,
try a fictional picture book that references a hero as seen in
the illustrated picture book, Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire
by Diane DeGroat.
Synopsis: When Mrs. Byrd tells Gilbert's class
that they're going to be doing plays about famous people, Gilbert's
heart sinks. Plays make him nervous; what if he forgets his lines?
So when he lands the role of George Washington in a play about
the cherry tree, he's determined to do it without any mistakes.
But when his most important prop goes missing right before the
show, Gilbert loses his cool and looks to blame anyone but himself.
He learns a valuable lesson about trustworthiness and citizenship.
Ask follow-up questions like:
1. What bad choice did Gilbert make?
2. What could Gilbert have done differently?
3. How does what Gilbert did seem similar to what George Washington
did?
4. What can you learn from George Washington and Gilbert?
5. Why is it important that good citizens also be trustworthy?
6. In what ways do you show citizenship?
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| Concerning
Citizenship |
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Here are some situations for you to think about,
talk about, write about, or act out. They're fun because YOU get
to decide what happens next!
1. Your neighbor's dog keeps barking and you
can tell that the pet is not being properly cared for. Would setting
the dog free be the act of a good citizen? As a good citizen,
do you have the responsibility to do something? What, if anything,
could you do?
2. You see that your classmates are throwing
paper in the trash rather than into the recycle bin. What would
a good citizen do about that? What might happen if we stopped
recycling? What could happen if we recycled more? Next time you're
in the car, look for places that take recycling. Have you noticed
that HEB now has big recycle bins out in front? They will even
take your PLASTIC - now that's good citizenship!
3. Federal lawmakers often discuss changing
the age that someone earns the right to vote. Do you know what
the legal voting age is? Do you think it should be 18 or 21? Or
maybe you think 16-year-olds or 13-year-olds ought to be able
to vote. Defend your opinion.
4. Studying heroes is a great way to see citizenship
in action. What exactly is a "hero"? What kinds of people
are heroes? Are heroes extra intelligent? Extra strong? Extra
brave? Larger than life? Is a hero a hero all of the time? Who
are your heroes?
5. You and your mom are shopping and you have
14 items in your cart. You're in a hurry because you're going
to be late for soccer practice. Is it okay to get into the checkout
lane that's reserved for customers with 10 items or less? What
if it said 13 items or less? Why or why not?
6. Good citizens try to be part of a solution
when they see a problem. Is there a problem that's been bothering
you? Look around your neighborhood. Are there some weeds that
need your attention or some trash in the ditches? Could your neighbor
use some help raking his leaves? There might be an elderly friend
nearby who just needs a visit now and again. Maybe there's something
at school you could help fix. Choose a problem, do some research,
find an adult to help you out, and carry out your solution. It's
that simple!
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| The
Five-Finger Process |
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Sometimes, just making a promise out loud can
be the push-into-action that we need. Try this easy five-finger
promise with someone you trust and see what a difference a few
small gestures can make.
Stand facing that someone. Put your right hand
in the air as if making a pledge, and have them put up their left
hand so your fingers and thumb mirror on another and are touching.
You must each think of five easy things that you can do in the
upcoming few weeks to put citizenship into action and then take
turns promising them aloud. One for each finger and the thumb.
For example: I will recycle all of my plastic and paper, I will
pick up any litter that I see, I will go to vote, I will donate
some food to a pantry, I will obey the speed limit. Small steps
in the right direction, five for each of you, that add up to big
things for our world. Once you've promised, all that's left is
to do it.
Try it with two or three friends, and see what
happens. Have your students try it with their classmates or your
children try it with their siblings. Imagine the world-changing
potential - if everyone grabbed someone to make a five-finger
promise this month!
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| Good
Citizens .... |
- do their share to make their school and community
better.
- cooperate.
- stay informed and vote.
- are good neighbors.
- obey laws and rules and respect authority.
- protect the environment.
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Character Counts at Westwood! One pillar at a time, we are laying the foundation
for a lifetime of good character choices. It is our goal to build
'value-able' citizens who will eventually become tomorrow's leaders.
The Six Pillars of Character are integrated into everything we
do.
We hope that the following list will help
you acquaint yourself with the Pillars and what they encompass
so that you can help us by reinforcing them at home.
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Westwood Pledge
I will make good choices today.
I will respect myself, my teachers, and
others.
And give my best effort in all I do.
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| Trustworthiness February / August |
| Trustworthy students.
. . . . |
- are honest; don't deceive, cheat, or steal.
- are reliable and do what they say they'll
do.
- have the courage to do the right thing.
- have a good reputation.
- are loyal - stand by their family, friends
and country.
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| Respect September / March |
| Respectful students.
. . . . |
- treat others with respect, follow the Golden
Rule.
- are tolerant of differences.
- use good manners, not bad language.
- are considerate of the feelings of others.
- don't threaten, hit or hurt anyone.
- deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements.
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| Responsibility October / April |
| Responsible students.
. . . . |
- do what they're supposed to do.
- persevere and keep on trying!
- always do their best.
- use self-control and are self-disciplined.
- think before they act and consider the consequences.
- are accountable for their choices.
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| Fairness January / July |
| Fair students.
. . . . |
- play by the rules, take turns and share.
- are open minded and listen to others.
- don't take advantage of others.
- don't blame others carelessly.
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| Caring December /J une |
| Caring students.
. . . . |
- are kind and compassionate and show they
care.
- express gratitude.
- forgive others.
- help people in need.
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| Citizenship November / May |
| Good Citizens.
. . . . |
- do their share to make their school and community
better.
- cooperate.
- stay informed and vote.
- are good neighbors.
- obey laws and rules and respect authority.
- protect the environment.
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