The “Ultimate Civics” lesson: Teaching students to advocate for their futures
By Amanda Menas
Oregon middle school social studies teacher Chris Riser says a new civics course has his young students enthusiastically engaged in figuring out how their government works. And he has learned while implementing the program, too.
Riser brought 50 students from Ockley Middle School in Portland to hear oral arguments in Juliana v. United States at the state Supreme Court in Eugene.
“One thing that stood out to me was when I first saw the youngest plaintiff,” said Riser of seeing Levi Draheim, now 11 years old, on the steps of the state Supreme Court.
“This really young kid understood something about where we were that day that I didn’t,” said Riser. The case brought by 21 youth plaintiffs against the government represents a significant step in a fight for climate justice.
“This is a much deeper, much longer struggle, that we’re witnessing a snap shot of,” said Riser, who teaches social studies and mock trial. “The kids were really energized by it. They’re really excited now to hear the outcome, and they’re really tied into this historic moment.”
Riser and fellow educator and Oregon Education Association member Kevin Heeney have been working for years to teach the intersection of current events and history to their students. By bringing these middle schoolers to the front line of a current debate, they were able to pique students’ curiosity about the history of the topic and how they, too, can advocate on issues critical to their futures.
“Nothing that happens today is in a vacuum, it’s connected. History actually connects with what we are going through right now. I’m constantly looking for opportunities to do that,” says Riser.
Riser and Heeney say that Ultimate Civics, a course developed by marine toxicologist Riki Ott, has helped them develop a sense of agency and activism in their students.
“This curriculum is great for teaching students how to create an action plan that they can implement in their communities and nationwide,” says Heeney, who also teaches at Ockley CONTINUE READING: The “Ultimate Civics” lesson: Teaching students to advocate for their futures - Education Votes