Strong opinions come from deeply held values. Young citizens explore the values that are most important to them in a class discussion and activity. As they prioritize a list of values cards that include freedom, justice, and democracy, learners analyze their own evaluation process and discuss their positions with peers.

 

Concepts

american values, democratic values, public policy, elections, politics, united states foreign policy, american democracy

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Bring the lesson to a unit about democratic values, or during an election season
• Bridge the activity between a discussion in social studies and a formal position paper in language arts
• Group learners according to their prioritized lists, and have them come up with debate arguments for different opinions
• Assign the reading passage for homework the night before the lesson for a flipped classroom activity

Classroom Considerations

• Establish a protocol that ensures polite and mature discussion of personal values
• Consider leading the class in a discussion that defines each word with examples before engaging in the activity, especially for English learners or struggling readers

Pros

• Connects well to any number of lessons about current issues, politics, historic events, or the Constitution, not to mention relevant novel units

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.1.a SL.11-12.1.a