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Social Studies 4: Civic Participation 90 Views

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Description:

The success of any nation depends to a certain degree on civil participation. Although, as we've discovered in the U.S., uncivil participation works almost as well.

Language:

English Language

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Transcript

00:04
[Dino and Coop singing]
00:13
You've probably been told this by every single teacher in your entire school career, but [Class full of students asleep]
00:17
we didn't want to be left out of the fun, so we're going to tell you, too: participating [Teacher standing up]
00:21
is important. [Teacher points to the blackboard]
00:22
…that wasn't as much fun as we thought it'd be. [The students are all asleep apart from one nerdy looking one]

00:24
Oh well.
00:26
Whether you're participating in spring cleaning at home... [Girl doing chores]
00:28
Or participating in a difficult group project at school... [Kid holding a chemistry flask that explodes]
00:31
It's always nice to be involved.
00:32
If only because it earns you a sweet looking A+ to hang up on the fridge at home.
00:36
Or provides a clean floor for your fridge to hang out on. [Girl looks like she is hating the chores]
00:39
That guy does a great job keeping your food cold.
00:42
And when it comes to politics, it's no different.
00:45
Civil participation refers to the ways in which citizens support their national, state, [Coop pointing at a blackboard]
00:49
and local community, and is a responsibility of all American people. [Dino pointing at a blackboard]
00:54
The most obvious and easiest way to be a good civil participant is by voting. [Jacket with 'I Voted' badge on it]
00:58
Of course, voting doesn't simply involve showing up on election day and checking a box next
01:02
to someone's name.
01:03
Well, okay, that's technically all it involves – but that's not exactly the ideal way to [Kermit the frog at the polling station]
01:08
go about things.
01:09
A good citizen should be well-informed on issues and candidates, and should cast their
01:13
vote accordingly.
01:14
On a national level, citizens vote for their Senators, members of the House of Representatives,
01:19
and even the President of the United States.
01:21
So yeah, it's kind of a big deal. [Abraham Lincoln appears]
01:24
Citizens can also have their voice heard by contacting their Senators and House of
01:28
Representatives members.
01:30
Just maybe try to call them during normal business hours, okay? [Man looks annoyed as phone rings while he is in bed]
01:33
Citizens are able to share ideas that they are passionate about.
01:37
And if the Senator or Representative agrees with the citizen's ideas, they could bring
01:41
it forward to Congress as a bill, potentially turning it into a real law. [Man holding up a document]
01:45
Of course, whether or not they actually agree with your idea is a whole other story. [Man smiling]
01:50
Turning bills into laws is a democratic process because the leaders are elected by the U.S. Citizens
01:55
who are always able to have their votes heard, whether it's by scheduled meeting, written
01:59
letters, or even a phone call.
02:01
So the next time you have a great idea you think your local politician needs to hear, [Man having a haircut and then a light bulb appears over his head]
02:05
get in touch with them!
02:06
Though you might want to check with a friend or family member first, just to make sure [Man suggesting idea to other people]
02:10
your idea doesn't sound totally ridiculous.
Full Transcript