Suggested Classroom Preparation and Enrichment Activities

Introduction: Missouri Service Learning, Missouri School Boards Association and The Missouri Bar are working together to provide an opportunity for students to interact with some of Missouri’s elected and appointed officials in all three branches of government about their roles in our system of government and about why they have chosen a career in public service.

Grade Levels: Grades 6-12

Objectives:

1. To examine the role of the legislative, judicial and executive branches in a system of separation of powers and checks and balances.

2. To enable teachers and students to enhance learning and explore real-life experiences through thoughtfully constructed service-learning activities.

3. To examine the role of the concept of “public service” and its role in our system of government.

NOTE: ALL HANDOUTS ARE POSTED ON www.mobar.org under Educators under Creating Civic Leaders.

NOTE: How to sign up for the ESGN interactive broadcasts and how to access the ESGN archives, do the following:

1. (www.esgn.tv).
2. Click on the title, “Creating Civic Leaders,” program under ‘Upcoming Live Events.’
3. Viewers are strongly encouraged to do a ‘System Configuration Check’ on the computer to be used to watch the program. The check can be completed at any time – simply ‘click’ on ‘Check Your System Configuration’ on the ESGN web page. Or test your computer by watching a free ESGN daily broadcast “Education Today” at http://www.msbanet.org/educationtoday.aspx .

Classroom procedures for the sessions:

Session 1—Exploring How Service Learning Can be Civic Education

Note: This session was pre-recorded and is accessible through ESGN. Prior to viewing this session, distribute Student Handout—Learning while Serving. After viewing the program, discuss the questions on the handout. To learn more about Missouri Service Learning and how to apply for grants, go to http://dese.mo.gov/divcareered/service_learning__index.htm

Sessions 2-4—Exploring Public Service

Note: These sessions may be viewed live at the announced times through ESGN or they may be accessed through ESGN archives. The suggested procedures for these sessions are as follows:

1. Prior to the broadcast, consider doing three things:

a. Giving students background information on the role of the person who will be speaking for this particular broadcast. There are five of these activity sheets containing background information: Governor, Representative, Senator, The Role of the Judiciary, Missouri’s Non-Partisan Court Plan.

b. If you are going to listen to the live broadcast, brainstorm about questions your students may want to ask the speaker.

c. Go the various websites dealing with the various speakers:

· www.house.mo.gov

· www.senate.mo.gov

· http://www.sos.mo.gov –Go to the Elections tab for a lot of information about qualifications for running and interesting historical facts about elected officials.

· http://www.courts.mo.gov/page.asp?id=27 (There are biographies of the Supreme Court Judges on this website.)

2. During the broadcast, each student would have the student handout, Creating Civic Leaders, and listening for what the speaker has to say about the various questions.
   
3. After the broadcast, go over the student handout with the students.
   
4. Enrichment and extension:

· Do further research on the speaker or the speaker’s role.

· Do the learning activities contained in the various handouts for the speakers.