American Heritage/Citizenship in the Nation

One month to two weeks prior to course:

Arrange for roomo Make sure to give yourself enough time to set up

If the room opens at 9am, then start the class at 9:30. o Need internet connection for hyperlinks

Declaration of Independence video Schoolhouse Rock Three Ring Circus

o American flag Send out notice of dates/times. Scout needs:

o American Heritage and Citizenship in the National worksheetso Read news for the 5 days prior to Seminaro Bag lunch

Music Playlist (5 Songs needed to study American Heritage)o Think about the songs you want to pick.o Find a theme (i.e. style of music, folk heroes, representative songs of an era)

Have kids guessed a theme Music player (I used my iPhone) Two veterans Whiteboard PC & Projector Bag of goodies/candies

o To give to kids who respond, ask and answer questionso If food, be mindful of food potential food allergieso Be mindful of classroom requirements. Some places may restrict food.o Alternative: cheap trinkets. Good sources include:

Oriental Trading Co. Party city

Day of class

Get there early Make sure computer has internet connection. Will be needed for hyperlinks

o Make sure that hyperlinks work Don’t forget goodie bag Prep Veterans.

o Speak on sea storieso What is Citizenship to them?o Engage kids. Ask them questions.

o Flow into news articles. Why are these news articles important to National security or our National interests?

Session 1

Pledge of Allegiance (PoA) o I used Jimi Hendreix “Star Spangled Banner” (AH 5C)o Do not be stuck with that

Discussion of PoA and National Anthem (AH 3B)o Jimi Hendrix a Veteran. Volunteered for U.S. Army during the draft. Volunteered to be

an infantry man/paratrooper. Broke ankle during training.o Interviews with JH said he was respectful, tried to use his talent God gave himo Representative of an era when there was lots of conflict and disagreement.o Representative of First Amendment: Freedom of Speech

Welcome/ Purpose/Merit badges

Blue Cards/what requirements we will complete/ how we will conduct course

Roles and responsibilities of Citizenship

Who are the VFW? (AH 2b, 2d) Discussion with fellow veterans and discussion of current news (I filed out blue cards while

Veterans talked. (AH 2C, AH 3)o Introduce Veterans.

Let them two one or two sea stories Why what does citizenship mean two them? (Cit in Nation 1) Engage the boys, what citizenship means to the boys. (Cit in Nation 1) Flow into current events. Why is current event important to our national

interests or security? (AH 3, Cit in Nation 3)

Declaration of Independence Video (AH 1, Cit in Nation 4a)

Discuss

Battle of N.O (AH 5C)

Second War of Independence/Relation to southern Maryland Battle on Patuxent River/ Landing at Benedict/ Aug-Sept timeframe (AH 4a, 4b) Myth: War was over and treaty had been signed Truth: Brits put in a clause that said “any battle fought would be treated as part of war. War

was not over until Senate ratified treaty has had been agreed upon.

Recap/completed

American Heritage 1, 2b, 2c, 3b, 4a, 4b Cit in Nation: 1, 3, 4a

Session 2

Three Ring circus Video

Discuss nature of three parts of government (Cit in Nation 5 and 7)

Read first 4 Amendments (Cit in Nation 4d)

Discuss 5 points of 1st Amendment Discuss 2 points of 2nd Amendment Discuss 14th Amendment

o Basic rights extended to stateso Result of Civil War and how states had tried to exclude naturalized slave/citizens

Highlights of 3rd through 10th Amendments (Cit in Nation 4d)

Amendments 11 through 27 (Cit in Nation 4e)o Historical groups

History of Seal of United States/ History of the Motto (AH 3b)

Three ways to vote

VOTE Write congressman (Cit in Nation 8) Participate in special interest group

o Example: VFW, Friends of Library, Friends of National Parko Example: National Weather Service weather watchers (any age!)o Volunteer at historic site or park (at any age!)o Volunteer for VFD

Music: Marching through Georgia (AH 5C)

Your choice! I choose this song Discuss why you choose this song, and it’s place in US history)

Recap/completed

American Heritage 3b, 5C Cit in Nation: 4, 5, 7and 8

Break. Lunch?

Session 3

Song: John Henry (AH 5C)

Your choice! I choose this song Discuss why you choose this song, and it’s place in US history)

Not a requirement and not in brief:

Use older scouts to demonstrate completed staff work to younger scouts. o This course is meant to be self contained, but scouts should read requirements before

coming.o Already contact congressmen? o Already visit National Park or monument? o What work was done prior?

Do not belittle younger scouts! This is a learning opportunity for older scouts to teach younger scouts about "being prepared!"

Constitution (Cit in Nation 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e)

Articles Discuss Article I, Section 4; duties and responsibilities of government

o Just point out a few highlights that might have to ring with current events.o Have boys pick out something to them and how it is used

Discuss Article 8o Treaties still goodo Debts will be honoredo Importance that we keep good on our word

Song: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (AH 5C)

Your choice! I choose this song Discuss why you choose this song, and it’s place in US history)

American Flag history (AH 3b)

Famous Speech: Emancipation Proclamation (Cit in Nation 6)

Went into effect Jan 1 1863 War still was going in South favor Gettysburg/Vicksburg not fought until June/July 1863 North had just lost at Fredericksburg Principle of War: Clear, direct goal. This provided a clear direct goal: Free the Slaves! Did not free ALL slaves, that did not happen until Amendment XIII in 1865

Where have you visited? (Cit in Nation 2a and 2b)

National or state capitol? (Cit in Nation 2b) National parks or historic site? (AH 4a, Cit in Nation 2a)

o What was interesting about that?

Song: Route 66 (AH 5C)

Requirements discussed:

American Heritage: 3b, 4a, 4d, 5c

Cit in Nation: 2a, 2b, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 5, 6

Discuss field trip.

If boys have already gone to Capitol and National Parks, then no need for a field trip.

Send on way!

Post meeting:

Get a sense of who have visited the US or State Capitol?

Do you need to coordinate a second class for a field trip?