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Fill Out Registration Form here:
http://bit.ly/WTPMIStateFinals2018
The Michigan Center for Civic Education is recruiting judges and additional volunteers for the 2018 Michigan We the People State Finals. We hope you can join us!
The State Finals will be held Friday, January 12 at the Michigan Capitol Complex (Capitol, Farnum, Boji) in Lansing. The day will begin with a judge orientation at 9:00 a.m. and run until approximately 3:00 p.m.
The competition is in the format of a simulated congressional hearing. High School classes present testimony and answer questions about historical, political, and constitutional issues. Judges evaluate student testimonies and probe their knowledge and understanding during a question and answer period. You can get a quick overview of the program at http://new.civiced.org/wtp-the-program/hearings/judges-resources. For additional information on scoring, judge instructions, and hearing examples, visit the Center for Civic Education at: http://www.civiced.org/wtp-the-program/hearings/high-school.
If you are available to judge or otherwise volunteer, please complete the link below (http://bit.ly/WTPVolunteer2018) or send us an email at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Volunteer Here:
http://bit.ly/WTPVolunteer2018
Civics and Government Teachers!
The Michigan Center for Civic Education invites you to join a premier group of secondary teachers in a professional learning opportunity focused on the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program. MCCE was awarded funding by the Center for Civic Education through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED). The grant supports professional development to qualifying Michigan Teachers.
The James Madison Legacy Project (JMLP) will provide you opportunities to:
● learn with Constitutional scholars,
● enhance student-centered teaching and learning,
● receive a classroom set of We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution instructional resources valued over $400 plus online resources,
● receive $500 stipend upon full participation plus travel stipends, lodging, meals, and substitute reimbursement,
● earn SCECH or graduate credit (for a fee),
● contribute to meaningful research on best practices in civic education. and
● collaborate with experienced mentor teachers.
In exchange, you will be asked to:
● infuse a minimum of 40 hours of We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution curriculum and instruction into your designated classes,
● participate in our Professional Learning Community, an online discussion of We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution curriculum and instruction,
● invite MCCE staff and mentor teachers to observe and support classroom instruction and curriculum,
● take a teacher knowledge pre and post-test,
● administer student knowledge pre- and post- test to the same group of students,
● involve students in the curricular culminating activity: simulated congressional hearing(s), and
● collect, provide, and share data from classes or students (consistent with the IRB process).
If accepted, you will join Michigan JMLP Cohort 3, a federally funded research and learning initiative. The Project is designed to measure both the impact the professional learning and curriculum has for teachers and the impact the program has on student learning and political efficacy, especially in high-need student populations.
Important Program Dates
• Summer Institute: July 23-28, 2017 - Lansing, MI
• November 16-17, 2017 - Grand Rapids, MI
• January 11-12, 2018 - Lansing, MI
*Exact agenda for November 16 and January 11 is in development so as to minimize the days teachers need to be out of the classroom.
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Content Focus
Unit 1: What are the Philosophical and Historical Foundations of the American Political System?
Unit 2: How did the Framers Create the Constitution?
Unit 3: How has the Constitution been Changed to Further the Ideals Contained in the Declaration of Independence?
Unit 4: How have the Values and Principles Embodied in the Constitution Shaped American Institutions and Practices?
Unit 5: What Rights does the Bill of Rights Protect?
Unit 6: What Challenges might Face American Constitutional Democracy in the Twenty-First Century?
Click here for JMLP Cohort 3 Registration Flyer
Click here for the JMPL Cohort 3 FAQ
Click here for JMLP Cohort 3 Application Form
For additional information, please contact the Michigan Center for Civic Education at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Or, call Ellen Zwarensteyn, MCCE Professional Learning Coordinator at 248-321-4842.
Information about Michigan JMLP Cohort 2 is available here.
Information about Michigan JMLP Cohort 1 is available here.
TEST
Energy conservation, vending machines in schools, childhood obesity—these are just a sampling of the public policy issues that Michigan students have tackled as part of their involvement in Project Citizen.
Project Citizen is a program for upper elementary, middle, secondary, post-secondary students, and youth organizations, that promotes competent and responsible participation in local and state government. Students work together to identify a problem, study policy issues related to the problem, develop a solution to the problem, and create an action plan for implementing their policy. In a culminating activity, students present in a simulated legislative hearing, demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of how public policy is formulated.
Project Citizen is a way to get students actively engaged in solving real life problems. Project Citizen connects students with members of the community who deal with community issues in real life.
Project Citizen involves a five step process:
To learn more about how to involve your class in Project Citizen, contact us.
Correlation of Project Citizen to Michigan's Grade Level Content Expectations (PDF, 115 KB)
The Michigan Center for Civic Education is dedicated to conducting programs that give students the opportunity to practice the skills of citizenship.
Project Citizen is one of those programs.
Thanks to a grant from the Michigan Department of Education MCCE can once again bring Project Citizen Workshops to Michigan teachers.
What is Project Citizen? Project Citizen is a program for upper elementary, middle, secondary, post-secondary students, and youth organizations, that promotes competent and responsible participation in local and state government. Students work together to identify a problem, study policy issues related to the problem, develop a solution to the problem, and create an action plan for implementing their policy. In a culminating activity, students present in a simulated legislative hearing, demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of how public policy is formulated.
How can I get involved?
MCCE will be conducting three workshops during the 2016-2017 school year.
Participating in one of our workshops will provide critical foundational learning to bring Project Citizen to life in the classroom. Participants will receive content from public policy experts; connections with local public policy makers; and proven and effective teaching strategies.
Teachers who attend and implement Project Citizen will receive:
• A FREE classroom set of materials;
• A stipend for completing the training (if held after school hours) or substitute reimbursement;
• Additional financial support for participation in a student showcase;
• Ongoing instructional and curricular support;
• SCECH credits;
• A great community of teachers;
Two of the three sites are confirmed and will focus on Project Citizen at the secondary level. The third site will be in west/northern Michigan. Check back for more information.
Saturday, October 22, 2016, 8:30 am-2:30 p.m.
Wayne RESA, Wayne, MI
Contact David Hales at
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to inquire about openings.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Genesee ISD, Flint, MI;
Energy conservation, vending machines in schools, childhood obesity—these are just a sampling of the public policy issues that Michigan students have tackled as part of their involvement in Project Citizen.
Project Citizen is a way to get students actively engaged in solving real life problems. Project Citizen connects students with members of the community who deal with community issues in real life.
Project Citizen involves a five step process:
To learn more about how to involve your class in Project Citizen, contact us.
Correlation of Project Citizen to Michigan's Grade Level Content Expectations (PDF, 115 KB)
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Our programs depend on the willingness of lawyers, judges, police officers, elected officials, school administrators and parents to be successful. Volunteers are needed to work with teachers in the classroom, to judge competitions, and to share their expertise in training opportunities and the development of materials.
You are needed and welcome!
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