Workshops

Civic Circle workshops can be tailored to meet your needs. Students can explore one, two, or several of the "steps to democracy" at the heart of our program, over one or more sessions. One of our signature offerings is a collaborative songwriting workshop, usually spread over three one-our class sessions, in which students write and perform their own original democracy song.

Workshops may take place after school or during classroom time. They are made possible through the commitment of Civic Circle teaching artists.

7 Steps to Democracy

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LISTEN

Civic Value: Civil Discourse.

Concepts: Respect, dignity. There are lots of different kinds of people in our school, our community, our nation, our world. Does different mean worse? People of good heart can disagree, and sometimes we have to compromise. Can you argue the other side of a topic?

LEARN

Civic Value: Media Literacy.

Concepts: What do you really know? How can you tell if what you are hearing is true? In a game of telephone, does information change as it travels down the line? Do you believe everything you hear in the hallway? Would you repeat it? Are you responsible on social media?

CHOOSE

Civic Value: Voting.

Concepts: Who has the power in your home, school, community? Do you think you have to wait until you are 18 to vote, or that your voice doesn’t count? You have choices today, as in when the family votes what movie to see, or your school chooses who will represent the student body. Do you know who is running to represent you in school, community, state and nation?

JOIN

Civic Value: Community Service.

Concepts: You have more power than you think. People are more powerful when they work together. You are a member of many communities: Your school, your neighborhood, your town, city and country. Can you help someone in need, or fix something that is not working where you study or live?

SPEAK

Civic Value: Advocacy

Concepts: You have a right to free speech, and a right and responsibility to tell your story. There are many ways you can make your voice be heard. The people in power are there to represent you, and they care about what you have to say. Do you want to speak at a public meeting, or write a news outlet or politician?

ACT

Civic Value: Community Organizing

Concepts: When you see something wrong, or someone being treated unfairly, do you speak up? How can you be part of a solution, instead of part of a problem? How much change can you bring about when people work together? Can you organize a park cleanup day, book drive or food drive?

LEAD

Civic Value: Public Leadership, Running for Office.

Concepts: Anyone can grow up to be president, including you. And even if you don’t become president, you could be mayor, a school principal, or the head of an organization that helps people close to home or all over the country. Once you have thought about something, what can you do about it? Where are you going?