Vinnytsia Oblast Teacher Training Seminar May 17, 2006 Introducing the Lesson Plan Series

1. Civic Education: Your Responsibility in Ukraine's Democracy Vinnytsia Oblast Teacher Training Seminar May 17, 2006 Introducing the Lesson Plan Series Instructor: Sandra Jacobs Sponsored by: Vinnytsia Oblast NGO Youth Center Forum USAID Small Project Assistance Funds

2. Who is Youth Center Forum? • We are a Vinnytsia-based NGO, established in 2000 and focusing on issues important to Ukrainian youth • We target programs to Ukrainian youth ages 15-28 • We focus on 4 major domains: • Democratic Society Development • Employment Skills Training • Environmental Programs • HIV/AIDS, Anti Drug and Smoking and Healthy Lifestyles Educational Programs

3. Why are we here? • We believe the development and future success of Ukrainian Civil Society is based on Ukrainian Youth • We know that you, as their teachers, are fundamental to creating enthusiasm for youth civic participation • We believe in providing tools and training to enthusiastic teachers who want to teach civics education as a part of their classroom activities • We think this lesson plan series has good information, and will allow you to teach the subject with minimal preparation requirements (we know you are busy people!)

4. Warm Up / Wake Up!Brainstorming Activity • What is Civil Society? • Why are NGOs important?

5. Agenda • Introduction • Lesson Plan Series • Topics covered • Potential uses for lesson plans • Methodology Overview • Lecture vs. experiential learning • Civic education lesson plan structures • Activity types used in lesson plans • Practice facilitation of various activity types • Activities Used in Lesson Plans • Break • Micro-teaching practice • Wrap Up

6. A Special Request to You!!! • When we do activities today, please put yourself in the place of your students (except for talking at the back of the room) • This will allow us to demonstrate several activities in a way that are fun for all, and will show you how it works in real-life examples!

7. Introduction • The lesson plan series Civic Education: Your Responsibility in Ukraine’s Democracywas compiled by a US Peace Corps Volunteer in 2001. • He worked closely with Ukrainian and American teachers to adapt US and Western European civic education lesson plans to be appropriate for the Ukrainian classroom. • The curriculum is designed to stress the importance of citizenship and encourage active participation in one’s government and local community. • Original language of lesson plan series was English, and translation does contains some errors. • Please focus on the content of the lesson plans, and their use as teaching tools (rather than exact grammar).

8. Topics of Lesson Plans • Introduction to Civics and Democracy • Rights • Your Rights, Rights Dilemmas, Cultural Differences in Rights • Responsibilities • Voting, Debating, Informing Elected Officials, Volunteering, Organizing, Protesting • Advocacy • My Community, Assessing Community Assets, Assessing Community Needs, Problem Solving, Grant Writing, Mock Sponsorship Committee

9. Topics of Lesson Plans (Continued) • Political Parties • Election Campaigns • Parliamentary Procedure, Nomination Process, Media, Press Conference, Ballots, Election Rules • Decision Making • Staying Informed • Reading Newspapers, Using Television as a Resource • Ideal Country • Ukrainian Constitution (Appendix)

10. Potential Uses for Lesson Plans • During regular classes, as a supplement to civics, history and other classes • As special topical presentations leading up to the March 26 elections • As an after-school program for students interested in the topics covered • As new material to present in English classes (inquire if English text version needed) • Note: This seminar is designed to assist you in implementing the upcoming pilot civics curriculum requirements – to save you time! 

11. Methodology Used in Lesson Plans • Lecture vs. participatory learning • As the goal of teaching civics is to create active citizenship participation in Ukrainian youth, lesson plans are designed to actively engage students • Lectures are designed to be more interactive discussions • Activities are incorporated to allow students to practice the topics covered • Lesson plan logistics • Designed for 45 minute classes, but may be altered as needed • Lessons designed to build on each other • Appropriate age of students are the last three forms of school, but plans may be adapted to be appropriate for other ages • Format of lesson plans • Objectives to be covered • New vocabulary for students and definitions • Materials needed • Procedure for lesson plan, using discussion, activities and other techniques

12. Activities Used in Lesson Plans • Brainstorming • Writing as many ideas down as individual or group can think of in a set period of time • Example: Have each student write down 5 rights they believe should exist in a democracy. Discuss rights as a group and write responses on the board. • Situation Cards • Distribute scenarios to small groups for discussion on action needed. • Example: Create 10 situation cards where citizen rights are violated, such as the government forcing an internet provider to allow police to monitor emails, the police force peaceful demonstrators to leave Gorky Park. Students must state what rights was violated and associated article in Ukrainian Constitution.

13. Activities Used in Lesson Plans • Ranking Lists, Evaluating Criteria • Give students list of civics-related items and have them rank by importance to a certain criteria. • Example: Put the following in order of importance for a healthy community: free press, clean streets, honest administration, good schools, social welfare programs, accessible health care for everyone, and more. Have students defend why they put certain items above others. • Debating in Small Groups • Provide small groups with different sides of the same issue to prepare and debate. • Example issue: A student newspaper published several articles on suspected corruption and bribery going on at the university. Now, the University administration wants to review and censor controversial articles. The student newspaper wants freedom to write articles that are meaningful to students, without censorship from the administration. Students defend each position.

14. Activities Used in Lesson Plans • Survey (Written or Verbal) • Students conduct public opinion survey to better understand an important issue or problem. Make sure to explain importance of anonymous responses to see real results! • Example: Students write survey in class, then collect survey results as homework assignment. A survey could include: What are the biggest problems in our school/community? What are some ideas you have to address these issues? • Agree or disagree exercises • Tape AGREE and DISAGREE signs on opposite sides of the room. Ask students questions and tell them to stand under the appropriate sign based on their opinion. For each question, ask a few students why they agree or disagree. • Example statements: Everyone has the responsibility to volunteer; Problems are best solved by the government; Volunteering can solve problems in the community; Volunteers should be young.

15. Activities Used in Lesson Plans • Applying the Skill • Create activity that allows students to practice lesson contents. • Example: Students write letter to local official providing suggestions on improving the community. Or, students write practice grant proposal. • Problem Solving Activities • Identify problem and work through steps of problem solving, either with entire class or in small groups. • Example problem: The occupants of the 28 apartments in one staircase of an apartment building do not communicate with each other very well and therefore cannot address issues they have in common.

16. Activities Used in Lesson Plans • Charades • Have students act out famous people, events, ideas relating to civics without speaking. Other students guess the word. • Student Presentations • Schedule class time for students to present on topics relating to civics, either as a group or individually. • Mock Elections, Press Conferences, etc. • Hold a mock election or press conference with students as candidates and speakers. • Discussions • Encourage discussions throughout the classes, and you will demonstrate active participation and develop critical thinking skills in your students.

17. Lets Practice!

18. Wrap Up • We have lesson plans manuals for each of you! • If you have questions on this seminar, call us at: • Youth Center Forum • Sophia Horobets or Olexander Mel’nyk • Khmelnytsky Shosse, 2, Room 505, Vinnytsia • 8-0432-32-67-47 • If you are interested in more information on classroom-based civics projects such as City Administration or European Union simulations, we can provide lesson plans and even complete programs for these activities, plus advisory support!