ERIC Number: EJ824219
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2003
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0093-3104
EISSN: N/A
"If He Murdered Someone, He Shouldn't Get a Lawyer": Engaging Young Children in Civics Deliberation
Beck, Terence A.
Theory and Research in Social Education, v31 n3 p326-346 Sum 2003
This study examines student engagement in elementary civics deliberation. Civics problem-solving steps and audience roles were introduced to two suburban fourth-grade classes to increase student engagement. Lessons were adapted from the "We The People" curriculum. Student engagement increased dramatically as students appropriated the steps and roles. Students also changed the roles to serve both academic and social purposes. Students dealt with complex problems by asking "what if" questions and through appeals to common sense. Conflicts raised through voicing minority opinions created particular complications. Implications for deliberating civics issues with young children are offered. (Contains 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Grade 4, Learner Engagement, Elementary School Curriculum, Constitutional Law, Active Learning, Civics, Young Children, Student Reaction, Questioning Techniques
College and University Faculty Assembly of NCSS. 8555 Sixteenth Street Suite 500, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Tel: 800-683-0812; Tel: 301-588-1800; Fax: 301-588-2049; Web site: http://www.socialstudies.org/cufa/trse/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 4
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Washington
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A