Five Ways to Increase Civic Engagement (Article Review)

The article discusses the importance of inspiring students to become more civically engaged and help make a difference in their school, their community, or perhaps on an even greater scale. The article describes five ways to contribute to the development of students as civic citizens:
1. Service-Learning Projects: an instructional strategy that ties the study of academic objectives to community service. Students can take action on a cause they believe in (volunteering, organizing a food drive, etc)
2. Extra Curricular Activities: have the students align themselves with an organization or action group (Model UN, Amnesty International). Make sure there are activities accessible to all students in the class, and that each student finds something that personally interests them.
3. Class Discussions/Debates: Student-led discussions - teacher as facilitator rather than director. Teacher must create open and respectful environment where all students ideas and opinions are heard.
4. Role Playing/Simulations: Role playing can allow the students to make real life connections to politics and civic behaviour in a fun and engaging way.
5. Home-School Connections: Parent involvement is important. If a parent is actively involved in volunteer organizations or civics in some way, it shows the child that this is an important cause. (Parent as role model) Like teachers, parents can have discussions about civil topics at home.