The new American symbol?

Did you know that the U.S. government is considering changing the American symbol of the eagle to a rattlesnake? What qualities do rattlesnakes possess that may qualify them for such a prestigious honor? – For example, both the rattlesnake and the U.S. Government could be considered quick and efficient.

"As absurd as this idea seems, it was suggested in 1775." Distribute The Rattlesnake as a Symbol of America (Attachment One) to each student. Divide the class into six groups. Assign each group a paragraph from the letter. Each group should analyze their paragraph for the qualities the author feels qualifies the rattlesnake to be the symbol. A spokesperson from each group should report to the class the quality (qualities) and the author’s reason. Compare the new list of qualities with the class-generated list from the Anticipatory Set.

Define active citizenship. In what kinds of activities would a citizen participate to have active citizenship? Are the qualities found in the rattlesnake the same qualities that support our definition of active citizenship?

Individuals, as responsible members of their communities, may give their time and volunteer their services to help obtain needed improvements. Active participation on local school boards and parent-teacher associations improves educational services. Citizens can take an active part in the community by offering their knowledge and talents to different local organizations or committees. Participation in town meetings, public hearings and community projects is important for community improvement and identifying and solving problems

Define philanthropy as "the giving of one’s time, talent or treasure for the sake of another, or for the common good." It may also be described as "voluntary action for the public good." Ask the learners for examples of giving time, talent and treasure. Do the learners see any connection between active citizenship and philanthropy? Tell the class that the person who wrote The Rattlesnake as a Symbol of America was Benjamin Franklin. Explain that Franklin was known by many titles: scientist, inventor, statesman, printer, philosopher, musician and economist. Write these on the chalkboard, each at distance from the others. Distribute one of Benjamin Franklin’s accomplishments, listed on a note card (Attachment Two), to each student. Ask the learners to go and stand at the title they feel corresponds with the accomplishment. The learners will then take turns telling the class about the accomplishment. Distribute Core Democratic Values Defined (Attachment Three). Go over the words and their definitions. Ask the learners to select at least two core democratic values that correspond with the accomplishment on their card. Have the learners share their responses for their cards.

Your turn to make a contribution! Brainstorm a list of non-profit organizations that they feel are making a contribution to improving life in the United States.

Explain that organizations have mission statements which focus on their purpose. Allow the learners Internet access to research the mission statement, address and basic information about their chosen organization, including the problem this organization is attempting to solve. Learners may use to research charitable organizations.

Assessments In-class: Each learner will take the information they acquired about the nonprofit organization and create a $1 bill. On this bill they will include the name of the organization, its purpose, the core democratic values that the organization is demonstrating and why they personally feel this organization can make a difference. This project will be graded on the above focus areas. The teacher can determine point values for the areas. Homework: Interactive Parent / Student Homework: The learners will take their dollar bills home and present their causes to their parents/guardians. Their goal will be to convince their parent/guardian to contribute a dollar to this cause. Each learner would bring this dollar to school and the class would mail it to the organization with a letter of explanantion.