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© Kerry Irons
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Our young people are the future voters and leaders of their community, state, and nation. To be knowledgeable voters and effective leaders, each of them needs to understand how to be a good citizen and, importantly, why that matters. Civics Bits is one way to support teachers and families in the important task of ensuring that this learning is not left to chance. The purpose of this podcast is to explore citizenship topics in manageable chunks that are appropriate for elementary-aged students.
23 Episodes
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Compassion is another important quality for good citizens, related to kindness and empathy. It's the ability to connect with the feelings of others (empathy) AND take action to make things better for another person (kindness). Explore who it benefits and why, as well as strategies to help you become more compassionate.
Empathy is about putting yourself in someone else's shoes! It's about understanding and connecting with the feelings of others. In this episode, we explore why being empathetic matters, and we share some strategies that can help kids learn to be more empathetic with others.
Kindness is an action, and it can change the world! In this episode, we explore what it is, what it means to be kind to others, some ideas for kind actions, and WHY it's important to be kind to others.
In this episode, we continue to explore the big idea of facts and opinions - with a focus on reasons WHY it is important to know the difference. We discuss "informed decisions" and set the stage for a future episode where we will explore how people interpret facts.
In this episode, we explore the big idea of facts and opinions - what they are and how to tell if a statement is a fact or an opinion. This is very challenging for young children, and needs lots of practice over their years in elementary school. We also set the stage for WHY knowing the difference is important.
Voting and elections are especially challenging for kids to understand. Nonetheless, it is important for them to begin to build an awareness of the importance of being informed so they can make the best choices possible as they approach voting age. This episode helps listeners organize the what and the why of elections.
This episode provides an example of what it means to vote, presented in a scenario to which most kids can relate. This is the first of three (at least) episodes about voting and elections.
This is the third of three episodes about bullying. In this episode we focus on the role of bystanders in both encouraging bullying behavior and helping to stop it.
This episode continues the discussion about government, this time at the level of the state. We explore the structure of state government as well as its role in the lives of its citizens.
In this second episode on bullying, we touch on the longterm impact that bullying behaviors can have on a person. We also explore what kids can and should do if they believe they are being bullied.
Thoughtful and aware citizens need to have the ability to recognize bullying behaviors so they can help stop it as quickly as possible. Having a consistent understanding or definition of what bullying looks like is an important place to start. In this episode we also share misconceptions about bullying.
Being a good, or active, listener is an important skill for good citizens. It is a way to show respect to others. In this episode, we explore why being a good listener matters, and some tips for how to practice this skill.
Government is a huge topic for all of us regardless of our age. When we consider the different layers of government - federal, state, and municipal -it can get very complicated indeed! This episode focuses on the roles and responsibilities of the federal, or national, government of our country.
Why do people say mean, unkind, or hurtful words? In this episode, we explore the reasons, or motives, that people might have when they say those words. We also explore a strategy for responding to hurtful words in a way that can have a positive outcome.
In this episode, we explore the power of words, especially the negative impact of mean and hurtful words AND the positive impact of supportive and kind words. This is an important topic that we will revisit often.
In this third of 3 foundational episodes about the United States Constitution, we explore its first ten amendments - the Bill of Rights. These amendments protect the basic rights of the PEOPLE of the United States of America.
This is the second of 3 foundational episodes about the United States Constitution. Here, we explore the outcome of the Constitutional Convention in 1787 - which resulted in the United States Constitution! We take a big picture view of the articles of the constitution which established the three branches of government and clarified the relationship between the federal and state governments.
This foundational episode is the first of 3 about the United States Constitution. In this one, we explore the background of, or context for, the Constitution. After the 13 colonies declared independence from Great Britain, and after winning the War of Independence, the leaders of the new country recognized a need for a Constitution. They convened a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.
This episode fits in the "expectations" category of Civics Bits - it addresses expectations or guidelines for how good citizens act or treat each other as members of a community. Respect is, perhaps, one of the most important of those qualities, and it is also one of the most difficult for kids to understand. Treating someone with respect, even if you don't like them, is part of what being a good citizen is all about.
In this second episode about citizens and citizenship, we begin to explore what it means to be a GOOD citizen.
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