Teacher information about programs and activities

1. Your champion for K‐12 civic literacy & youth civic leadership
Help your students to understand how their governments and communities work, about the
key issues, the ways citizens and leaders collaborate to solve problems at the local, state and
national levels – and gain the knowledge and skills to make a difference. Smart, fun, engaging
educational programs tied to C3 Framework, Common Core, and Essential Standards connect
classroom activities with hands‐on experiences to narrow gaps and maximize student
comprehension and impact.
Get the latest news, information, resources, learning opportunities, and more!
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Sign up for periodic email updates, news, educational resources and
learning opportunities
www.GenerationNation.org
Visit GenerationNation.org for educational programs, Learning Center
resources, news, and more
Follow GenerationNation on social media
facebook.com/GenerationNation
linkedin.com/company/GenerationNation
@GenerationNation
@GenNation

2.
K‐12 Civics and Leadership into Action
for College, Career, and Civic Life
For more information visit www.GenerationNation.org
Your champion for K‐12 civic literacy and youth civic leadership
Smart, fun, engaging educational programs tied to C3 Framework, Common Core, and Essential Standards
connect classroom activities with hands‐on experiences to narrow gaps and maximize student
comprehension, interest and impact.
Help your students to understand how their governments and communities work, about the key issues,
the ways citizens and leaders collaborate to solve problems at the local, state and national levels – and
gain the knowledge and skills to make a difference.
Curriculum, resources, and tools organized in one place
Lesson plans, primary sources, videos, news articles tied to current events, tips for simple ways you
can integrate civic literacy into your classroom, and more
GenerationNation education partners include
o National Action Civics Collaborative
o Civic Education Consortium
o iCivics
o Newspapers in Education
o C‐SPAN
o Mikva Challenge
o Local governments
o Many others
C3 Framework, Common Core, and NC Essential Standards
Themes center on government, citizenship, leadership, and include: civic literacy and skills,
democracy, elections and voting, civic engagement, history, law, news literacy, leadership,
government (local, state and federal), events/holidays, and more!
Learning opportunities put civics and leadership into action
Learning Center – resources for civic literacy through the year
Speakers Bureau – classroom speakers on topics such as government, news, law, civic issues, etc.
High school programs Charlotte‐Mecklenburg Youth Council, Youth Civics 101, Youth Leadership
Charlotte‐Mecklenburg, and Youth Voice Press Corps
Kids Voting Election – K‐12 mock vote plus Student Candidate Guide, debate watch, evaluation tools,
background on government offices and election process, and more
Civics into action projects ‐ connect to local government, civic issues, leaders, news, and service
Learn more
On the web www.GenerationNation.org
Connect Sign up for email updates and educator network
www.generationnation.org/index.php/contact
Contact Amy Farrell, Executive Director amy@GenerationNation.org, 704‐343‐6999

3. Classroom Resources Overview
For more information and to join the email list visit www.GenerationNation.org/learn
GenerationNation educates and engages K‐12 students to lead in their schools, communities
and nation. Smart, fun, engaging programs tied to Common Core and other educational goals
connect classroom activities with hands‐on experiences to build civic literacy and leadership
from an early age.
Classroom resources
Tied to Common Core and NC Essential Standards for Social Studies
Interdisciplinary, integrating the study of government, citizenship and leadership into
different contexts
Useful tools that connect real‐life experiences and current events with the classroom
education to increase student interest and comprehension
Easy to use, flexible and adaptable, plug into existing lesson plans, fit time requirements
and curriculum goals
Organized in one place – you don’t have to search the web for content
Relevant, usable and regularly updated throughout the year
Non‐partisan, and non‐political
Includes
Resources and tools at www.GenerationNation.org: Learning Center/Classroom Resource
Library, civic education resource links, government info, videos, games, etc.
Curriculum from civic education partners: GenerationNation, Kids Voting USA, Civic
Education Consortium, CSPAN, iCivics, Newspaper in Education, National Action Civics
Collaborative, Mikva Challenge, News Literacy Project, and others.
Local and state government resources, editable presentations, easy‐to‐understand
information and hands‐on learning opportunities connecting students with government,
leaders, policies, elections, issues and decisions
Educational guides for civic learning experiences including Constitution Day, Election Day,
MLK Day, President’s Day, State of the Union, Black History Month, local government issues,
Elections and Voting, Debates, civic leadership and more.
www.GenerationNation.org GenerationNation @GenNation
Digital content, current events and learning opportunities to help your students to connect
local, state, national and global issues, personal experiences and historical events, explore
student voice, and build knowledge and skills.

4.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Connect classroom learning with hands‐on activities linked to government, civic issues,
news, current events, law, leadership, and more.
Combines classroom learning with real content and/or experiences
Best practices: build interest, knowledge, skill, and comprehension
Learning opportunities narrow gaps among at‐risk students
Civic Literacy
Discussion questions, resources and education guides for current events, special events, and
news literacy. Includes local government, local issues, civics in action, Constitution Day, Election
Day, MLK Day, President’s Day, State of the Union, Black History Month, Elections and Voting,
Conventions, Debates, more
Elections and Voting: Kids Voting Election
Mock election on local, state and national races plus service‐learning in polls. Supporting
resources include curriculum and activities, debate watch, rate the candidates, and other
activities; Student Candidate Guide and Youth Candidate Forums; and additional opportunities
for student council elections. Election 2015 and Election 2016 activities in 2015‐16.
Speakers Bureau
Bring real‐life experiences and content into your classroom through experts who can speak on a
variety of topics from government and current events to leadership, news, and more.
CLT‐Meck 101/Civics in Action
Students learn, think, decide, and take action in a variety of ways from writing letters, attending
or speaking at government meetings, service‐learning, researching issues, field trips, etc. Toolkit
for students visiting/watching government meetings and civic action plus curriculum and
resources for the classroom or home study (all grades)
Charlotte‐Mecklenburg Youth Council and Youth Leadership Charlotte‐Mecklenburg
High school students are invited to put civic leadership into action through the Youth Council
and YLCM. Both programs engage emerging leaders as problem‐solvers who meet with public
officials, explore civic issues and the community, and more.
Student Voice
Make student voice heard! Report on government meetings and civic issues. Participate in
twitter chats on important topics. Text your voice through text polling on current issues.
Learn more
For additional info or to find out how your students can put civics into action, contact
GenerationNation (info@generationnation.org or 704‐343‐6999) or visit GenerationNation.org.
GenerationNation | www.GenerationNation.org

5.
CIVICS INTO ACTION
LEARN
Gather and read information. Watch videos. Ask questions. Good sources of information
include the newspaper and other news media, maps, data, government websites, candidate
profiles, legislative documents, and court cases.
THINK AND ANALYZE
Do you have enough information to make a decision? (if not, find more information!) Consider:
• Is this information helpful? Is it from a good, truthful source? Does it fit, or connect, with
other facts you know? Do you see any patterns? How does it make you feel?
• Think about your school, neighborhood, city, state, or country: What’s working? Why?
What’s not working? Why? Can you think of the possible reasons…and solutions?
• If you are evaluating a person, consider: why is this person taking this action (running for
office, creating a policy, taking a stand, etc.) What information do I need to decide if he/she
is doing or will do a good job? Tip: When thinking about candidates or elected officials, focus
more on the individual people and their experiences, ideas, and solutions ‐ and less on the
political parties and their platforms.
DECIDE
Based on the information you know, can you answer these questions?
What do you think? Why do you think that? How do you know this?
Which issues are most important to you? Why? What are the impacts?
What are your ideas and solutions? Why? Who needs to make it happen? How?
Can you tell me more? What questions do you still have?
Use that information to make a good decision. Consider the data and any other information
that is important to you. When evaluating a person, such as a candidate, did they share ideas
and solutions, or mostly complain? Decide which candidate you think will do the best job.
TAKE ACTION
Active citizens and leaders don’t just read and think about information. They take action with it!
Here are a few ways you can put civics into action:
Attend a government meeting
Be informed about government/issues
Clean up a neighborhood/park/ school
Interview a community leader or official
Learn by serving others
Serve on the youth council
Share your solutions for school/civic issues
Speak at a local government meeting
Use social media and school media to
highlight student voice on current issues
Vote in this year’s mock election
Write a letter to the editor
LEARN MORE
Contact GenerationNation to discuss ways your students can put civics into action! Amy Farrell
at GenerationNation (amy@generationnation.org or 704‐343‐6999.
GenerationNation | www.GenerationNation.org

6.
SPEAKERS BUREAU
Bring real‐world experiences to your students by inviting a speaker to your classroom!
GenerationNation makes this process easy, educational, and worthwhile for everyone involved.
Our engaging speakers can providing presentations that help your students to understand how
their governments and community work, about the key issues and perspectives, the roles of
citizens and leaders and how they collaborate to solve problems, and more.
GenerationNation can help to tailor presentation topics that tie to your curriculum, the
speaker, and your students’ interests, as well as provide your students with suggested
questions, background, and other helpful information.
Possible topics include
City planning/growth
Civic leadership
Civic issues
Connections between
business and government
Courts/legal system
Current events
Digital literacy
Economic development
Economic Opportunity
Elections and voting
Gov’t budgets/ funding
Housing/neighborhoods
Law
Leadership
Local government
Local history
Mapping, data, and
information
News and media
Personal financial literacy
Police/community safety
Politics/running for office
Poverty
Public education
Public health
Public official
Public service
Race relations
Social services
State government
Transportation
And more!
Please allow a minimum of four weeks for scheduling your speaker. Note: some speakers are
not available during certain times of the year (candidates between filing period and election
day, elections officials preceding and during elections, etc.). GenerationNation will work with
you to identify the best schedule and/or alternate speaker ideas.
Learn more
For additional information or to schedule a speaker, please contact Amy Farrell at
GenerationNation (amy@generationnation.org or 704‐343‐6999 or fill out the request form at
http://www.generationnation.org/index.php/learn/entry/speakers‐bureau .
GenerationNation | www.GenerationNation.org

7.
Civic Learning Opportunity: Election 2015
For more information visit www.generationnation.org
This learning opportunity educates students about democracy, reading and analyzing
information, the election process, making decisions, different levels of government,
ways that citizens participate in political life, and more. Nearly 1 million Charlotte‐
Mecklenburg students have participated since the program began!
What is the mock election program?
K‐12 students experience elections through hands‐on activities. They learn about and vote on real
candidates and issues and take part in community service‐learning to compliment classroom learning
about civics and democracy in the classroom.
Kids Voting is a program of GenerationNation. Standards‐based educational resources are available to
help students to learn about government, the candidates, the election process, and student voice.
Read, think, decide, and vote!
K‐12 students have different ways to participate
Vote at school (October 20 ‐November 3), as determined by School Representative
Vote in designated polling places (October 23, October 24, October 31, November 3)
Service‐learning as pollworker (October 23, October 24, October 31, November 3)
GenerationNation can also assist your school with other elections through the year
Student Ballot Questions – Election 2015
Grades K‐12 – Mayor
Grades 3‐12 – Mayor and School Board
Grades 6‐12 – Mayor, School Board, and City/Town Council
Note: the local election ballot is tailored for Charlotte or Mecklenburg towns
When are results announced?
Students’ votes are counted and announced through the media and posted on
www.generationnation.org
School‐level results are available for schools using the online ballot
Election 2016
Beginning this fall, look for activities for Election 2016, including curriculum, debate watch,
candidate evaluation, and a student primary vote.
www.GenerationNation.org GenerationNation GenNation

8.
Civic Learning Opportunity: Election 2016
For more information visit www.generationnation.org
This learning opportunity educates students about democracy, reading and analyzing
information, the election process, making decisions, different levels of government,
ways that citizens participate in political life, and more. (Over 100,000 Charlotte‐
Mecklenburg students participated in 2012 elections.)
What is the mock election program?
K‐12 students experience elections through hands‐on activities. They learn about and vote on real
candidates and issues and take part in community service‐learning to compliment classroom learning
about civics and democracy in the classroom.
Kids Voting is a program of GenerationNation. Standards‐based educational resources are available to
help students to learn about government, the candidates, the election process, and student voice.
Read, think, decide, and vote!
K‐12 students have different ways to participate
Presidential Primary
o Vote at school or home (March 1‐15, 2016*)
General Election
o Vote in designated polling places (October 29, October 31, November 5, November 8*)
o Vote at school (October 25‐November 8*), as determined by School Representative
o Service‐learning as pollworker (October 29, October 31, November 5, November 8*)
GenerationNation can also assist your school with other elections through the year
* – note: if official election dates change, the mock election dates may change – visit GenerationNation.org for updates
Student Ballot Questions – Election 2016
Grades K‐12 – President
Grades 3‐12 – President, US Senate, Governor
Grades 6‐12 – President, US Senate, Governor, US House, General Assembly, County Commission
When are results announced?
Students’ votes are counted and announced through the media and posted on
www.generationnation.org
School‐level results are available for schools using the online ballot
www.GenerationNation.org GenerationNation GenNation

9. Join the Charlotte‐Mecklenburg Youth Council, the youth advisory council for the City of
Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and Charlotte‐Mecklenburg Schools.
Who? Open to all high school age youth – great for leaders/emerging leaders, teen journalists &
all others interested in leadership, news, policy issues, and making a difference in our city.
What? The council, a program of Charlotte nonprofit GenerationNation, helps teens take an active
role in learning how to solve challenges impacting Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
Advise policy‐ and decision‐makers on issues impacting youth and children
Learn about government, the key issues, and how our community works
Build knowledge and skills for leadership, college, career and civic life
Highlight civic issues of importance to youth
Become a part of a communitywide network of emerging leaders – Charlotte‐
Mecklenburg’s next generation of leaders
When? Meets twice a month, usually (but not always) on Tuesday evenings at 6:00‐8:00PM
Where? Most meetings are at the Charlotte‐Mecklenburg Government Center in downtown
Charlotte. When you sign up, you will receive regular meeting info, directions, etc. for each
activity. Free CATS/LYNX passes available to assist students with transportation.
How do I sign up?
Learn more and sign up GenerationNation.org/youth
Questions? info@GenerationNation.org or 704‐343‐6999

10. High school freshmen and sophomores: are you ready to lead?
Apply to be a part of Youth Leadership Charlotte‐
Mecklenburg. The civic leadership program enables teens to
learn about the community, meet students from other
schools and backgrounds, and develop knowledge and skills
needed by a new generation of Charlotte‐Mecklenburg
leaders. It's fun, engaging, educational, and exciting!
Who? Mecklenburg County students in grades 9‐10 who
demonstrate leadership in school and/or community
activities and are interested in learning more about
the Charlotte‐Mecklenburg community, civic issues,
and how to make a difference.
When? January‐April 2016
Applications open October 1, 2015
Applications due November 15, 2015
Where? Program sessions are centrally located in downtown
Charlotte. Free CATS/LYNX passes and carpool ideas
are available to assist with transportation.
Learn more and apply
www.GenerationNation.org/index.php/YouthLeadCLT
Youth Leadership Charlotte‐Mecklenburg is a program of GenerationNation.

11.
STUDENT VOICE
SHARE WHAT YOU LEARN, THINK, SEE
Issues and topics important to or impacting youth
People: political leaders, candidates, civic leaders, media
Government meetings or decisions
Events and speeches; media coverage about the elections or issues
Your perspective about politics, government or leadership
Anything else you think is relevant and interesting!
Coming soon: Text your voice! Text polling on current issues!
Tag/follow GenerationNation
@GenNation
@GenerationNation
GenerationNation
Tips for covering a news event
As a student, your perspective is very important – and is often missing from news reports and
discussions about civic issues.
Consider your audience. What do people want to know about what happened? What can you tell
them (or show with photos) that would be different than traditional media outlets?
How did people react to what was being said? What did YOU think about what was said?
You are the media. That means you help to inform the public about government actions, goals, and
activities. The “media” includes traditional media, such as newspaper and TV reporters, as well as
bloggers and people sharing information on social media.
Facts and Opinions – both important
o Reporting facts helps people who are not at the event to learn what is happening, who is
talking, what you see, who is in the crowd, the location, etc.
o Sharing opinions helps people to learn and understand how the information impacts different
people – especially students.
GenerationNation | www.GenerationNation.org

12. Preparing students for college, career, and civic life
Students need to understand how their governments and communities work, and how and why they can
make a difference. Current events, education trends, and learning opportunity gaps make that task more
difficult ‐ and more important than ever! Today's students will become the leaders of our schools,
communities, businesses, and nation. What and how they learn now matters.
GenerationNation connects the classroom with hands‐on experiences to build civic literacy and leadership
from an early age and narrow learning opportunity gaps. Students:
Grow as confident citizens and leaders who can read and analyze information, communicate, think
critically, collaborate, solve problems and make decisions.
Build civic literacy, understanding how their governments and communities work – and the leadership
skills and know‐how to make a difference.
Gain essential knowledge for academic success including graduation requirements Civics & Economics
and American History, linking to STEM, reading, writing, and the arts.
Champion for K‐12 civic literacy and youth civic leadership
Nearly 1 million Charlotte students have built and applied civic literacy, knowledge, and skills through
GenerationNation programs. Launched in 1992 as a mock election event, GenerationNation has worked
with educators and community stakeholders over the past 5 years to launch new programming to educate
and engage young citizens and leaders every day of the year.
The first phase of GenerationNation's expanded work has targeted high school students. In addition to
support for high school classroom teachers, GenerationNation's youth learning opportunities include
educational sessions, dialogues, service‐learning, field trips, and other hands‐on experiences.
Students regularly interact with public officials and civic leaders, engage in local government, learn about
and apply knowledge to solve community issues, and meet and collaborate with youth from other schools
and backgrounds. Future strategies will also target K‐8 students, program alumni, and new teachers.
Program of work
GenerationNation reaches thousands of students annually. Programs include K‐12 civic literacy
curriculum, tools, and teacher support, Charlotte‐Mecklenburg Youth Council, Kids Voting mock election,
Youth Leadership Charlotte‐Mecklenburg, and other initiatives.
Impact
In 2014‐15, GenerationNation directly engaged 50,000+ students in hands‐on civics and leadership
experiences and helped K‐12 teachers in 170 schools to easily and effectively integrate civic literacy into
the classroom. As a result of their involvement in GenerationNation, students demonstrate higher levels
of civic leadership, civic literacy, and civic engagement than their peers.
Get involved
Visit www.GenerationNation.org or contact Amy Farrell (info@GenerationNation.org, 704‐343‐6999).