Dr. Benjamin Carson
is Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins
Hospital in Baltimore. He was a failing student in elementary school when his mother
sharply limited his television watching and required him to read two books a week.
A hunger for knowledge took hold of him, and he began to read voraciously on all
subjects. He has repeatedly made medical history with extraordinary accomplishments
in brain surgery, including a successful operation to separate Siamese twins who
were joined at the back of the head. Dr. Carson shares the story of his success with
young people around the country with lecture tours and books such as Gifted Hands
and Think Big. .
General Wesley K. Clark was Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander
in Chief of he United States European Command. He attended the United States Military
Academy where he graduated first in his class. He earned his master's degree at Oxford
University as a Rhodes Scholar and went on to command at every level from Company
to Division. He later led the military negotiations for the Bosnian Peace Accords.
As the top NATO and U.S. commander in Europe he led the successful NATO operations
in Kosovo.
Sam Donaldson first came to the attention of many Americans with his relentless
questioning of Presidents Carter and Reagan as White House correspondent for ABC
News. A 30-year veteran of ABC, he is now one of the pillars of the network's award-winning
news team, co-anchor of Prime Time Live, anchor of World News Sunday
and co-host of This Week, the Sunday morning political discussion program.
Dr. Bernadine Healy is President of the American Red Cross. Before taking
on the Red Cross assignment, Dr. Healy was Dean of the College of Medicine and Public
Health at Ohio State University and Medical Consultant for CBS News. A cardiologist,
she has also served as President of the American Heart Association. She was the first
woman to serve as White House Science Advisor, and as head of the National Institutes
of Health. Fifteen years ago she launched a program to study heart disease in women;
she has made women's health a field of medicine in its own right.
Michael C. Moore is Attorney General of the State of Mississippi. He made
history in 1994 when he sued 13 tobacco companies to reimburse his state for the
costs it incurs treating smoking related illnesses. He persuaded other states to
join in the lawsuit and the tobacco companies agreed to pay $240 billion, to be shared
by all of the states. He became Mississippi's youngest elected District Attorney
when he was only three years out of law school. He was the first District Attorney
in the state to prosecute corruption in local government. He won his first term as
Attorney General in 1979 and has since been re-elected three times.
Dr. Ruth J. Simmons is the President of Smith College, one of the historically
prestigious Seven Sisters schools. The twelfth child of a sharecropper turned aircraft
worker; she grew up in a home without books or a desk. While her teaching and research
interests center primarily on the literature of French-speaking Africa and the Caribbean,
she is increasingly in demand for university administrative posts. She has been Associate
Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Southern California, Provost of
Spelman College, and Vice Provost of Princeton University. This autumn she will assume
the Presidency of Brown University.
Brendan V. Sullivan, Jr. is Washington's top defense attorney. The general
public may best know him for his defense of Lt. Col. Oliver North, during the nationally
televised Iran-Contra hearings, but his career has been marked by controversy from
the very beginning. As a young Army captain in 1968, with his defense of fellow soldiers
accused of mutiny. He has been lead counsel in major criminal and civil cases far
30 years. Washington publications consistently name Brendan Sullivan the best lawyer
in town and the national press places him near the top of any list of America's most
influential attorneys.
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ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Pre-Viewing Activity: Student Handout
Before viewing the program consider these questions:
What is advocacy?
What does it mean to be an advocate?
What personal qualities does an advocate need to be successful?
PERSONAL REFLECTION: QUICK-WRITE
In each of the columns below, make a list that describes the things you are (or
could be) an advocate for in your family, school, or community.
Describe someone you know that you consider an advocate. What or who do they advocate
for? What qualities do they have that make them a good advocate?
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Group Activity: Student Handout
GROUP TALK BACK:
Each of the participants had interesting things to say
about advocacy and the integrity and character needed to be a successful advocate.
Read each of the following quotes from the program. As a group, select the quote
you would like to examine and discuss further.
Brendan Sullivan
If you have character, those times in your life where you have to decide whether
to give up or to push forward, whether to represent someone in an unpopular circumstance,
or do you have the courage to do the right thing, that character and that integrity
will be there.
Dr. Bernadine Healy
Without courage, you're not able to really stand for something. You can talk for
something, you can make a lot of noise, but you will not be able to really transmit
what you stand for into action.
Michael Moore
Ask yourself why you're doing what you're doing. I mean, if you're doing it for some
reward, or if you're doing it because if you don't do it you might lose something,
then you're probably going to fail.
Dr. Ruth Simmons
Öthe reason for advocating for others who don't have what I have is to be able to
feel well integrated as a human being, to be able to feel at the end of the day that
I'm living for a reason other than my own self enrichment and self fulfillment.
Gen. Wesley Clark
You have to really understand what the circumstances are. You have to make sure you're
doing it for the right reason and with the full awareness of all of the situational
factors.
Dr. Benjamin Carson
So, courage, I think, is not acting without fear; it's acting with fear.
Discussion Roles:
Assign one person to play the role of the panelist who made the statement.
Assign one person to act recorder to list key points made during the discussion.
Group members contribute their opinions and questions.
Suggested Discussion Questions:
- Why did the group select this particular statement to discuss?
- In what ways do you agree with this statement?
- In what ways do you disagree with this statement?
- Do you have personal experiences that relate to the panelist's opinion?
- Do you know of anyone who embodies these ideas in their actions? Who?
- What is the hardest thing about acting on this idea in your personal life?
- What remaining questions do you have for this panelist?
When finished, share your discussion notes with another group or the entire class.
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Curriculum Connections: Student Handout
Select one the projects below to further explore advocacy and citizenship.
Each project will require you to . . .
1. Research a topic or idea that will take you deeper into what it means to be
an advocate.
2. Plan or design something that allows you to communicate your new knowledge and
understanding of advocacy to others.
3. Share your work through the presentation or display of the finished product.
Project #1: Multimedia Tribute: Dr. Linus Pauling
Curriculum Focus: Science
Challenge: Using the America Academy of Achievement Gallery
of Science as a start, research the life of Dr. Linus Pauling. Identify how
this renowned scientist became an advocate for world peace. Identify how his integrity
and character played a role in his effectiveness as an advocate.
See: http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/pau0int-1
Outcome: Create a multimedia tribute to Dr. Pauling using text, photos,
and other media.
Project #2: Sites of Courage
Curriculum Focus: History/Geography
Challenge: Research 3-5 locations and events in the United States where
memorable advocates displayed moments of courage in support of their beliefs.
Outcome: Develop a design and necessary content for a web site dedicated
to advocacy in action. Include maps and accompanying text to spotlight sites of courage
in the history of American advocacy.
Project #3: Front Page News
Curriculum Focus: Current Events
Challenge: Identify a current national or local issue that you believe
needs to be addressed. Conduct research to ensure you have a thorough understanding
of the issue. Use the 5Ws of journalist writing (who, what, where, when, why, how)
to collect information.
Outcome: Use your research to write two different newspaper articles. Write
a front-page factual story about the issue. Then, write a follow-up editorial that
states your opinion and advocacy position.
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Research Project: Student Handout
Perseverance: The importance of integrity and character in advocacy
RESEARCH FOCUS
The focus of this research project is how successful advocates overcame incredible
risks and challenges to persevere and make a difference.
SAMPLE RESEARCH TOPICS
The following list of famous advocates should help you get started. Don't hesitate
to select other advocates who you find important and interesting for this research
project.
- Martin Luther King
- Helen Caldecott
- Rachael Carson
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Gallileo
- Copernicus
- Susan B. Anthony
- Oskar Schindler
- Dorothy Day
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Use the following research questions to get started. Add your own throughout the
research process.
1) What was this person advocating for or against?
2) Who or what was the opposition?
3) How did they show that they had a full understanding of the issue or situation?
4) What propelled them to act or speak out?
5) What price did they pay for their advocacy?
6) How did their character or sense of integrity help them persevere?
7) What drove them to continue? Where did they find courage?
8) What level of success did they achieve? What failures did they experience?
RESEARCH PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
- Present a clear thesis statement in your research paper or presentation.
- Compare two or more advocates.
- Site references.
SUGGESTED RESEARCH PRESENTATION FORMATS
- Research paper
- Multimedia presentation
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Pre-Viewing Activity: Student Handout
- Before viewing the program consider these questions:
- What does it mean to be honest?
- How does our culture value honesty? Do you value honesty? Why?
- Give examples of honesty in practice in your school, family, or community.
Sketch Pad Activity
On an empty pad, write words, draw images, and sketch symbols to explore how honesty
plays a role in your life. Generate ideas by recalling your own positive and negative
personal experiences with issues of lying and honesty.
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Group Activity: Student Handout
HONESTY ON THE JOB -- CAREER WEB:
In a small group select a career/job that group members find interesting. It might
be a career such as law or medicine that panel members discussed on the program.
Brainstorm how the value of honesty relates to that particular career. What issues
related to telling the truth and advocating a position might you encounter in this
career? Draw a Career Web to identify the career and related honesty issues.
To complete your web include honesty issues and examples such as:
- Lying
- Cheating
- Competition
- Performance Pressure
- Fairness
- Employee relations
- Public relations
- Regulations and Policies
- Value systems
- Stealing
- Falsifying information
- Wining and success
When finished, share your Honesty on the Job -- Career Web with another
group or the entire class.
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Curriculum Connections: Student Handout
Select one the projects below to further explore how honesty and values affect
advocacy. Each project will require you to . . .
1. Research a topic or idea that will take you deeper into what it means to be
an advocate.
2. Plan or design something that allows you to communicate your new knowledge and
understanding of advocacy to others.
3. Share your work through the presentation or display of the finished product.
Project #1: People and Places
Curriculum Focus: Social Studies/Geography
Challenge: Brainstorm a list of at least five famous advocates who have
exhibited a courageous dedication to honesty. Create a chart that lists the person,
place, event, and time period when their acts of honesty made an important difference.
Outcome: From your chart, select one person to highlight in a short magazine
article/spread about honesty and courage.
Project #2: Elie Wiesel Timeline
Curriculum Focus: History/Literature
Challenge: Elie Wiesel is
a writer, a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp, and an advocate against
oppression. Using the American Academy of Achievement Hall
of Public Service as a start, research Mr Wiesel's life and times.
See : http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/wie0int-1
Outcome: Develop an annotated timeline that describes the events and achievements
of Elie Wiesel's life and work.
Project #3: On the Air: A Radio Editorial on Honesty Curriculum Focus: Persuasive
Writing
Challenge: Select an issue about the value of honesty that affects your
life. Brainstorm, survey other students, and draft your ideas. Write an effective
persuasive editorial that could be aired on the radio to convince other s of your
point of view.
Outcome: Write a persuasive editorial for a radio broadcast that presents
your ideas about the value of honesty. Record your editorial on tape and play it
for the class.
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Research Project: Student Handout
Imperfect Heroes
"One of the most important things to remember in life is that you will make
mistakes. That is certain. And you will do things that you think now you're not capable
of doing. That is certain. But the most important thing is whether or not you have
the values and the moral fortitude to overcome that, by admitting what you've done,
and making the determination that you won't do it again, because of what you owe
to the people around you." -- Dr. Ruth Simmons
One of the hardest things to do is to tell the truth and admit a mistake. But,
it is important to do the right thing even if it feels as frightening as climbing
without ropes. Throughout history, courageous people have been able to make difference
because they were willing to say and do the right thing.
Research Challenge:
Survey friends, teachers, librarians, and family members to identify 3-5 people,
living or deceased, who are heroes because they admitted mistakes, told the truth,
and did the right thing. They may be famous individuals or known by only a few people.
But what they have in common is that people will always remember them for their honesty
and courage. Learn as much as you can about each person. Consider the following research
questions:
Research Questions
- Who are they and how would you describe their lives?
- What do they care about? What is important to them?
- What strengths and weaknesses do they have?
- What mistakes have they made?
- What acts of courage did they perform?
- How and why were they able to do the right thing?
- What happened as a result of their honesty and courage?
- How can their experiences and choices be a lesson to us?
Research Outcomes
When you have completed your research, select one hero to present to the class. Use
one of these formats to present your information in a creative way.
- Tribute
- Newspaper Interview
- Obituary
- Eyewitness Account
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Pre-Viewing Activity: Student Handout
Before viewing the program consider these questions:
How is a lawyer an advocate? For what? For whom?
What are challenges faced by attorneys as they advocate for a client or for the state?
How do lawyers' opposing positions and arguments help justice be served?
Open Mind: Thinking Like a Lawyer . . .
List words to describe the advocacy concerns of a prosecuting attorney and a defense
attorney in a criminal case.
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Group Activity: Student Handout
Focus: Group Discussion
The scales of justice are dependent on well-trained effective attorneys who can adequately
argue their case. The truth of guilt or innocence is directly tied to an attorney's
advocacy skill. Review and discuss the following quotes made by Mr. Sullivan during
the program.
Point of View: Defense Attorney - Brendan V. Sullivan
1. Do I look at the guilt, perhaps of a client? No, that's not my job. The job of
the prosecutor is prove it, with this very difficult system. If I can deny that conviction,
that's my duty.
2. Our system is based on adversary principles. Prosecutors fight with defense
lawyers in the courtroom. Out of the conflict comes the truth.
3. Even a rich corporation deserves a defense, and they deserve a good defense.
Focus: Debate Role Play
Select one of Mr. Sullivan's statements above to use as the focus of a debate. Divide
into two teams each representing a position. To plan your arguments, complete the
debate plan below. If time allows, present your debate to the class.
Debate Question
| FOR Position/Arguments |
AGAINST Position/Arguments |
|
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ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Curriculum Connections: Student Handout
Select one the projects below to further explore how lawyers practice advocacy.
Each project will require you to . . .
1. Research a topic or idea that will take you deeper into what it means to be
an advocate.
2. Plan or design something that allows you to communicate your new knowledge and
understanding of advocacy to others.
3. Share your work through the presentation or display of the finished product.
Project #1: Ralph Nader and Consumer Rights
Curriculum Focus: Business and Consumer Education
Challenge: Using the American Academy of Achievement Hall
of Public Service and other sources, research the life of attorney Ralph
Nader. Long before he ran for President, Nader pursued a law career dedicated
to protecting consumer rights by legal action.
See: http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/nad0int-1
Outcome: Select one of his consumer court cases and write a newspaper article
describing the case, trail, and outcome.
Project #2: The Right to Choose
Curriculum Focus: Health/Art
Challenge: Consider Dr. Healy's comments about personal choice in health
and safety issues. Select a risky teen health behavior such as smoking, overeating,
not wearing a seat belt, etc. to research further.
Outcome: Develop an ad campaign with poster, TV ad storyboard, and slogan
that reflects your advocacy position on a teen health/safety issue.
Project #3: Exploring a Career in Law
Curriculum Focus: Career Education/Art
Challenge: There are many different types of lawyers. Each one acts as
an advocate for different types of clients and issues. A lawyer can specialize in
criminal law, corporate law, environmental law and more. Research the different careers
in law and select three that you personally find interesting.
Outcome: Create a promotional brochure to describe and advertise the law
profession that you believe best fits your interests, talents, and advocacy positions.
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Research Project: Student Handout
"Our system works best when you have a good prosecutor and you have a good
defense attorney, and both understand that their job is to seek the truth; not just
to win. " -- Michael Moore
Trial drama is broadcast daily on national television in real or fictional courtrooms.
It has become a form of entertainment. We can watch cases being argued in domestic,
civil, juvenile, and criminal courts. Sometimes a judge alone listens to lawyers'
arguments. In other trials, attorneys must convince a jury to get a ruling in their
client's favor. But legal advocacy is serious business and critical to our rights
as citizens in a democracy.
In this research project you will act as a reporter covering a famous or significant
trial.
SAMPLE RESEARCH TOPICS
A Famous Criminal Trial: Research a famous criminal trial of the past
An Important Consumer Case: Research a class action suit such as Michael Moore
conducted against the tobacco companies.
A Significant Environmental Case: Research a case in which important environment
issues or rights were at stake.
A Local Trial: Research a trail in your local area that had a significant
effect on your community.
SAMPLE RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
Start with the 5Ws - Who? What? Where? When? Why?
Who are active participants in the trial? Who is on trial?
Why is this person or organization on trial?
When did this trial take place?
What were the allegations, charges, and issues in this trial?
What were the prosecutor's or opposing attorney's arguments?
What were the defense attorney's arguments?
What did attorneys present as evidence to advocate for their clients?
How effective was each attorney's skill as an advocate?
What was the outcome of the trial?
How was justice served?
Why is this trial important?
When you have completed your research, present your findings in one of the following formats:
- Newspaper Article
- Editorial
- Trial Web Site
- Interview
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Pre-Viewing Activity: Student Handout
Before viewing the program consider these questions:
Should students step out and be advocates? Why? Why not?
What is an example of how students can be advocates in their communities?
Do young people have enough power to be successful? Why? Why not?
Advocacy Wheel Brainstorm
Students can act as advocates giving of their time and talents to help others. Create
an Advocacy Wheel to brainstorm how students can make a difference. Draw a wheel,
and put a community problem or need in the center of the wheel. In the spokes list
things students can do to help.
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Group Activity: Student Handout
Focus: Community Tour
You may live in a big city, a small town or rural village. In any area where people
live, there are opportunities to be advocates. Problems relating to human needs,
the environment, animal care, and more exist and need attention. Young people always
have opportunities to get involved and make a difference.
Your Challenge:
Work together in your small group and brainstorm a list of problems in your area
that need addressing. Imagine that you are going to explain to an out-of-state visitor
where these opportunities for advocacy exist. Plan a car tour of your area that will
highlight problems and where they exist.
| Brainstorm List |
Trip Itinerary |
Advocacy Tour Map |
|
|
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ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Curriculum Connections: Student Handout
Select one the projects below to further explore how students can practice advocacy.
Each project will require you to . . .
1. Research a topic or idea that will take you deeper into what it means to be an
advocate.
2. Plan or design something that allows you to communicate your new knowledge and
understanding of advocacy to others.
3. Share your work through the presentation or display of the finished product.
Project #1: Jimmy Carter and Habitat for Humanity
Curriculum Focus: Mathematics
Challenge: Using the America Academy of Achievement
Gallery of Public Service
to get started, research the advocacy activities of former President Jimmy Carter.
See: http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/car0int-1
Focus on the organization, Habitat for Humanity, which he started. Conduct additional
research including its activities in your area.
Outcome: Write a detailed profile of Habitat for Humanity including its use
of student involvement and a per-house budget that shows how it can build affordable
housing using volunteer help.
Project #2: Memories
Curriculum Focus: Creative Writing/Art
Challenge: Think about a time when you gave of yourself and made a difference
to a person or your community. What were the circumstances? What did you do? What
did you give? How did it make you feel?
Outcome: Write a poem or a personal narrative that captures that memory of
your effort to be an advocate. Include photos and artwork to further express the
experience and the feelings it created.
Challenge: Students have a tremendous amount of energy and physical skills.
What are the programs and opportunities available to turn an interest in sports and
physical hobbies into advocacy? Research organizations like the Special Olympics
that focus on sports and recreational advocacy.
Outcome: Create a storyboard for a commercial to interest students in volunteering
in a sports and recreation program to address a need and make a difference to others.
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Research Project: Student Handout
"You're going to achieve and do great things. Give it! Give it back! Give
it back every chance you get! " -- Michael Moore
Research Focus: What can I do in my own community to help others? What
are the steps that I need to take to move from an idea to taking action?
Research Topics: Research needs in your neighborhood that match your interests
and talents. These might include education, sports, the environment, politics etc.
Research Outcomes: Complete the following problem profile and action plan.
After you have participated in an advocacy activity, write a monologue to share with
the class about your experience.
Problem Profile:
Research three problems in your area that you need to understand more fully in order
to select one of them for your action plan and volunteer participation.
What is the problem? Who is affected? What are the causes?
My Action Plan
This is how I can make a difference:
Getting Started:
People to Contact:
Questions to Ask:
Things I Need:
Schedule:
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Pre-Viewing Activity: Student Handout
Before viewing the program consider these questions:
What is discrimination? On what basis are people discriminated against?
What examples of discrimination do you see in your school? Community? Nation?
How can discrimination negatively effect not only the person discriminated against,
but also the person acting in a discriminatory way?
Cause and Effect Brainstorm
People discriminate when they make choices. Choosing to be a vegetarian rather than
eat meat is a person's discriminating choice regarding diet. But people-targeted
discrimination that involves such things as race, class, gender, sexual preference
etc. results in depriving others of their rights and respect as human beings. Some
negative acts of discrimination are obvious and public. Others are much more subtle
and private. Both have an affect on the person who is the target of the discrimination.
Use the Cause and Effect chart below to brainstorm causes/targets of discrimination,
different types of acts associated with this form of discrimination, and the effects
on those discriminated against.
Cause
- Targeted Person or Group
- Direct Acts of Discrimination
- Subtle Acts of
- Discrimination
- The Effect on People Targeted
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Group Activity: Student Handout
"There are still dispossessed, disenfranchised segments of our society that
are nowhere getting the kind of rights that they are entitled to. " -- Dr. Ruth
Simmons
FOCUS: PUBLIC SERVICE AD CAMPAIGN
Your group's challenge is to identify a group in our society that is still discriminated
against. Using the planner below, develop a public service advertisement for television
or the Internet that targets and denounces this form of discrimination in our society.
Form of Discrimination
Targeted Individuals
Rights Denied
Our Position Statement:
Use technology or drawing tools to create a storyboard for your public service spot.
Present it to another group or the entire class either by acting it out or sharing
your storyboard plans.
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Curriculum Connections: Student Handout
Select one the projects below to further explore how discrimination affects our
society and the need for advocacy to stop it. Each project will require you to .
. .
1. Research a topic or idea that will take you deeper into what it means to be
an advocate.
2. Plan or design something that allows you to communicate your new knowledge and
understanding of advocacy to others.
3. Share your work through the presentation or display of the finished product.
Project #1:Rosa Parks: Pioneer for Civil Rights
Curriculum Focus: Creative Writing
Challenge: Using the American Academy of Achievement Hall
of Public Service to get started, research the life of Rosa
Parks. Focus on her actions on a Montgomery bus, in1955, that sparked the Civil
Rights Movement.
See: http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/par0int-1
Outcome: Use your research to write an eyewitness account of Rosa Parks's
action on the bus. Write in the first person either as Rosa Parks or another black
passenger on the bus.
Project #2: Cliques and Stereotypes
Curriculum Focus: Social Studies
Challenge: Think about how stereotypes about people and groups can lead
to discrimination. Students are very familiar with how school cliques are based on
stereotypical assumptions about people. Conduct a student/faculty survey in your
school to identify the main cliques and the stereotypes they are based on.
Outcome: Write a report that presents your survey results and explores ways
isolating stereotypes can be overcome.
Project #3: Telling Events
Curriculum Focus: Current Events
Challenge: Research three front-page headline news stories that were a
direct result of some form of discrimination. Identify causes, targeted individuals,
discriminatory acts, and resulting consequences to individuals and the community.
Outcome: Develop a Cause/Effect web for each news story that illustrates the
role discrimination played in the event
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Research Project: Student Handout
PEOPLE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
During this program segment, Michael Moore
describes Mission Mississippi, a state program dedicated to ending discrimination
in Mississippi. Dr. Carson describes something he calls Compassionate Action. There
are many important programs supported by organizations and individuals that are dedicated
to exposing and eliminating discrimination. Throughout American history, courageous
people have joined together to advocate for treating each other in a different way
-- with compassion and a desire for a common vision we all can share.
In this research project you will act as an historian with a specialty in civil
rights who is interested in better understanding the efforts and achievements of
an individual or organization who successfully advocated for an end to discrimination.
SUGGESTED RESEARCH TOPICS
A courageous person, a private citizen who advocated for an end to discrimination.
A person in government or the military who advocated against discrimination. An organization
or group of people who effectively advocated for civil rights. An entire community
who made a united effort to end discrimination.
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
Geographic and Economic Influences
Strength of the Opposition
Historical Period and Political Events
Effects of Discrimination
Cultural Opinions
Reasons for Success
RESEARCH OUTCOMES
A concept paper and preliminary script for a program on the history channel that
celebrates the achievements of this individual or group.
The design and editorial content for a three-page web site dedicated to the achievements
of this individual or group.
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Pre-Viewing Activity: Student Handout
Before viewing the program consider these questions:
What inspires people to achievement and advocacy? How can reading play a positive
role in a person's life and development? How do role models or family members play
a role in inspiring a person to achievement and advocacy?
Personal Book Review
Everyone has read books that they will never forget. There are certain authors, stories,
characters that inspire readers to look at their own lives and decide to use what
they've read to become a better person. Which books have affected you in a positive
way? Why? Use the following categories to brainstorm the positive impact reading
has made in your own life. Use both words and graphics!
An Inspiring Book
An Inspiring Character
An Inspiring Author
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Group Activity: Student Handout
Books can change lives! Other forms of art can also inspire!
Books -- Film -- Theater -- Visual Art -- Music -- Dance
The work of artists and writers can inspire us to become better people and advocates
for others. As a group, create a list of recommendations in the categories below
that you believe will inspire other students. Share your choices with the class.
ART FORM TITLE/DESCRIPTION
WHY CHOSEN Book Film Play Music Performance Painting Photography
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Curriculum Connections: Student Handout
Select one the projects below to further explore how discrimination affects our
society and the need for advocacy to stop it. Each project will require you to .
. .
1. Research a topic or idea that will take you deeper into what it means to be
an advocate.
2. Plan or design something that allows you to communicate your new knowledge and
understanding of advocacy to others.
3. Share your work through the presentation or display of the finished product.
Project #1: Powerful Books
Curriculum Focus: Expository Writing
Challenge: Using the American Academy of Achievement Library
and the Books that Changed Lives area, select a person and the description of the
book they selected.
See: http://www.achievement.org/library/frames.html
Who is this famous person? How did this book and its author make a difference
in their lives? How did it inspire this person to strive for achievement?
Outcome: Write a profile of the individual and a summary of their comments
about this important book. Include the reasons why you selected this person and book
for review.
Project #2: Wise Choices Curriculum Focus: Goal Setting
Challenge: Dr. Carson describes how his mother transformed him from an
under-achieving student on the brink of trouble to a reader with an interest in learning
and achievement. His personal habits switched from TV viewing to reading. What about
you? What could you do differently to make a positive difference in your own life?
Outcome: Develop a list of personal goals including books you have always
wanted to read. Make a schedule and keep track of how well you meet your goals. Develop
a list of personal goals including books you have always wanted to read. Make a schedule
and keep track of how well you meet your goals.
Project #3: Public Service
Curriculum Focus: Careers
Challenge: Several times during the program, people mentioned "public
service." General Clark described how reading the Greek Classics gave him a
commitment to public service. What does this term mean to someone trying to decide
on a career choice?
Outcome: Research the term "public service" and select three occupations
that would be considered public service careers. Select one that you find interesting.
Write a job description of this career with an emphasis on why it is a public service
occupation.
ADVOCACY AND CITIZENSHIP
Research Project: Student Handout
The Greek Connection
The Greek Culture has given the world a wealth of stories, books, and plays that
inspire people to aim for achievement and public service. Greek writers such as Plato,
Homer, and Aeschylus introduced heroes who overcome enormous challenges, and citizens
who were required to work for the common good.
In this research project you will select a Greek myth, play, poem, or book to
learn review and analyze as it applies to our modern world and your own life.
SUGGESTED RESEARCH TOPICS
- Greek Myths such as, Prometheus, the Fire-Bringer or Demeter and Persephone
- Greek Poems like Homer's Odyssey or Iliad
- Greek Plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles, or Euripedes
- Plato's Republic or other works
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
- Who is the author?
- What was the author's purpose in writing this work?
- What is the message?
- What does it have to teach us in the 21st Century?
- Which characters were inspiring?
- Would you recommend this work?
RESEARCH OUTCOMES
- Create a profile of a hero or heroine in the story that emphasis their positive and
inspiring qualities and achievements.
- Re-write a myth putting it and its message into modern times.
- Write a letter to the author that tells him what you think of his work and why it
is important today.
