The document provides information for school representatives of Kids Voting Mecklenburg, an organization that promotes civic education for K-12 students. It outlines the role of school representatives in connecting their school to Kids Voting programs and resources throughout the year and helping increase civic learning opportunities. Representatives are asked to distribute Kids Voting communications to teachers and students, participate in orientation and webinars, and encourage participation in the Election Experience and other civic programs.

1. School Representatives 2011-2012

2. One organization provides the opportunity for K-12 civic literacy in Charlotte Kids Voting Mecklenburg

3. Agenda Welcome Overview School Representative Role Programs and Resources for your school Classroom Resources Civic Learning Opportunities Kids Voting Election What’s ahead Q&A

4. More than a mock vote 1992: a mock election event 2011-12: year-long program with wider impact Civic education and leadership Longtime CMS partner, other partners Increases K-12 classroom resources Increases K-12 learning opportunities Narrows gaps

5. More than a mock vote Helps students in school Civics & Economics US and World History Middle School Social Studies and LA K-8 Reading, Writing and Social Studies Builds knowledge and skills Effective leadership and citizenship 21 st Century Skills

6. School Representative Nominated by school leaders (usually) Leads Kids Voting efforts at schools September 2011-May 2012 Average time commitment of 10-20 hours per year

7. Responsibilities Connect school to Kids Voting all year Communicate and educate your school Use of classroom resources Participation in civic learning opportunities Involve school in civics programs including Election Experience Provide feedback, ideas, share photos, best practices

8. All year (Sept-May) Distribute periodic communications From Kids Voting to your school audiences Teachers, parents, students Approx. 1-4 times per month Share feedback, best practices, photos Create and/or share civic learning lesson, activity or idea (social studies, language arts, math, science, art, etc.) Let us know so we can highlight your efforts!

9. September/October Orientation Attend workshop or webinar Read information about Kids Voting programs Share knowledge at school Instruct staff at school about classroom resources and learning opportunities Presentation and handouts are available Via staff meeting, email, whatever works best for your school

10. October/November Plan/implement election activity Voting at school or in community Service learning Communicate at school Encourage participation High schools: also share civics programs and resource information

11. Winter/Spring Webinar Updates and 2012 Communications Share regular communications – curriculum, programs, learning opportunities, etc. Civic learning outside of Election Day Involve school Evaluation – give us your feedback Credit and documentation sign off

12. Professional Benefits Build and exhibit leadership skills Integrate 21 st century learning at school Professional development Credit Recommendation letters, references, connections Build knowledge about government, civic life Connect school, and self, to community

13. Classroom Resources Available online at www.kidsvoting.org Classroom Resource Library Civic Learning Center Aligned to NCSCOS More than elections Themes about government, citizenship, leadership Includes Kids Voting USA – use password civicliteracy if needed iCivics Civic Action Project Newspapers in Education Civic Education Consortium Local government and local resources

14. Classroom Resources Wide variety of activities available Easy to use, flexible, fits into lesson plans Use one lesson or 20 Resources for civic learning opportunities Candidates, debates, elections, voting Government services, leaders, budgets, policies Events such as Constitution Day, State of the Union, President’s Day, MLK Day, Black History Month Local and state government Current events, media literacy

15. Civics in Action Grades K-12 Election Experience Variety of Civic Learning Opportunities High school Youth Civics Youth Voice – Leadership Alliance Other connections to government, leadership

16. Connect Connect to Kids Voting Amy Farrell, Executive Director Email: [email_address] Phone: 704-343-6999 Web: www.kidsvoting.org FB: www.facebook.com/kidsvotingcharlotte Twitter: www.twitter.com/kidsvotingclt

17. Thank you!!