“ Integrated Service Learning: Writing a Children’s Citizenship Book for Classroom,” 2010 American Democracy Project National Meeting Providence, Rhode Island, June 17 – 20. Susan C. Scott, Ed.D. Patricia Loughlin, Ph.D. University of Central Oklahoma

 How can the university reach school age students and teach them about civic responsibility and engagement?

 Our university was established in 1890 as a teacher’s college, Today it teaches over 15, 000 students in 5 colleges of which one is the College of Education and Professional Studies  Each year students come to UCO to learn how to be a teacher… one student had that dream….but very sadly her life was cut short days after high school graduation…

This book was inspired by a girl who was sensitive to others’ needs and emotions and always tried to keep a smile on everyone’s face. She was a community leader and was always involved in service projects. She was loved and cherished by her family, friends, and community. This book was inspired by a girl named Ashley Parham, a person who exemplified citizenship. Let this book not only serve in her memory but as a tool, a way to educate our youth and build a better future for tomorrow.  Sharity Parham, Big Sister

“The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

 The idea was developed in the hallway when a professor who teaches social studies to elementary teacher candidates asked me about the American Democracy Project.  A discussion began…  We decided a book for young elementary age children would be a great avenue to teach about civic responsibility and what greater way to celebrate Miss Ashley’s legacy…

 There are very few books for children that help children connect with citizenship through a story line that can be used in the classrooms.  Most are factual – your government, immigrants, steps for becoming a citizen and so forth

 The social studies professor, Dr. Daniel Vincent asked his students for volunteers to help write the story.  We met as a team for about 6 weeks, outside of class time to develop and start writing  Issues the story addresses: Voting, student responsibility, honesty, service learning, community service, and reflection  Each page has a famous quote and key words that reflect the topic

 Our next question: Who is going to do the art work?  Dr. Isolette De Almeida’s heard about my idea at an art event I attended that fall and was willing to incorporate it in her art for elementary teachers during the spring  We DID NOT know what we were doing! It was trial and error.

Using the work of Eric Carlisle style students created pictures to go along with the story line

Sample pages from the book….

 ADP member, Bethany Scott volunteers as editor and book designer.  Our ADP created a student organization and our members are from all facets of education.

 Along with the Story line  quotes and key citizenship words  Book was compiled in two versions  Art department paid for students to receive a copy

 Dr. Vincent’s class will create lesson plans to incorporate the story into real life classrooms.  We are planning to incorporate the English Department to assist with the story line  A+ schools are very supportive – Transformative Learning  REMEMBER: This is a trial and error work in progress

 We are working with several ideas about publishing.  Goal is to create a foundation, so that more books can be created and produced by students

 We are able to celebrate Ashley’s life contribution and possibly inspire others to continue what she started!  Teacher candidates feel empowered to create books in their own classrooms with their students.  This book allows parents and teachers to work together and explore citizenship at multiple levels.