Core Democratic Values
The Common Good: September
Definition: The public or
common good requires that individual citizens have the commitment and motivation--that
they accept their obligation--to promote the welfare of the community and
to work together with other members for the greater benefit of all.
Mrs. Morrison and Mrs. Pierce talked
about the how noise pollution affects the common good at gathering.
The Pursuit of Happiness:
October
Definition: It is the right
of citizens in the American constitutional
democracy to attempt to attain--to
"pursue"--happiness in their own way, so long as they do not infringe upon
rights of others.
One example Mrs. Tatom gave at
gathering is that children pursue their happiness by going trick-or-treating
for Halloween.
Patriotism: November
Definition: Virtuous citizens
display a devotion to their country, including devotion to the fundamental
values and principles upon which it depends.
One example of showing patriotism
is saying the pledge of allegiance. At the beginning of many sports
games everyone sings the national anthem "The Star Spangled Banner."
Diversity: December
Definition: Variety in culture
and ethnic background, race, lifestyle, and belief is not only permissible
but desirable and beneficial in a pluralist society.
On December 21st the Kettering
school will perform THE SNEETCHES as their culminating activity demonstrating
why diversity is so important. Many classrooms are also studying
how other cultures within our community celebrate the holidays.
Truth: January
Definition: Citizens can
legitimately demand that truth-telling as refraining from Iying and full
disclosure by government be the rule, since trust in the veracity of government
constitutes an essential element ofthe bond between governors and governed.
Students in Mrs. Tatom's classroom
wrote in their journals about why it is important to tell the truth and
what happened when they told a lie before.
Equality: February
Definition: Everyone should
get the same treatment regardless of where their parents or grandparents
were born, race, religion or how much money you have, citizens all have
political, social and economic equality.
Students in Mrs. Tatom's classroom
read the book Mississippi Bridge and watched the video of Ruby Bridges
to help understand how different life can be without Equality.
Justice: March
Definition: People should
be treated fairly in the distribution of the benefits and burdens of society,
the correction of wrongs and injuries, and in the gathering of information
and making of decisions.
Ms. Katie & Ms. Leoana did
a two day teach on justice in Mrs. Tatom's room. The students had
a wonderful discussion about what they know about justice and they wrote
about it the first day. The second day they shared their writing.
Ms. Katie read the story Heros and then the students made a poster about
Justice.
Liberty: April
Definition: The right to
liberty is considered an unalterable aspect of the human condition. Central
to this idea of liberty is the understanding that the political or personal
obligations of parents or ancestors cannot be legitimately forced on people.
The right to liberty includes personal freedom: the private realm in which
the individual is free to act, to think and to believe, and which the government
cannot legitimately invade; political
freedom: the right to participate freely in the political process, choose
and remove public officials, to be governed under a rule of law; the right
to a free flow of information and ideas, open debate and right of assembly;
and economic freedom: the right to acquire, use, transfer and dispose of
private property without unreasonable governmental interference; the right
to seek employment wherever one pleases; to change employment at will;
and to engage in any lawful economic activity.
The students in Mrs. Tatom's class
had a group discussion about liberty. They wrote in their notebooks
about the three types of freedom that liberty stands for. Personal
freedom is the right to think, and act however you choose. Political
freedom is the right to participate in your government by voting.
Economic freedom is the right to buy, sell and trade your own things.
It also means you can choose what kind of job you want to have. Student
drew a picture of patriotic symbols that show liberty. Some of the
pictures included the liberty bell, the American flag, and the statue of
liberty.
Popular Sovereignty: May
The citizenry is collectively the
sovereign of the state and holds ultimate
authority over public officials
and their policies