Dear Educators,
Flag Day is June 14, which is an excellent opportunity to focus on civics with Maps101. Civic engagement has been on the decline according to the Brookings Institute. We don’t need researchers to explain this, however. Clear evidence of this decline is everywhere, from the news to social media. As educators, we are on the front line to have a direct effect on this issue.
After all, civics is crucial as a twenty-first century skill, not just for students to succeed personally, but for the continued progress of the democracy we cherish in the United States. The institute agrees. They go so far as to say, “Americans’ participation in civic life is essential to sustaining our democratic form of government. Without it, a government of the people, by the people, and for the people will not last.” Thus, students need a strong understanding of the U.S. government, how it works, and their role as citizens, to be engaged in civic life. This is where educators can step in, and this is where Maps101 can support you in your efforts.
This week, Maps101 looks at the origins of one of the enduring symbols of the United States: the flag. We also delve into a Lesson Map specifically designed to strengthen twenty-first century students’ understanding of civics, in order to support their development of civic responsibility and engagement.
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