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Intro
to Model
Component 1:
Choose a Local Issue
Component 2:
Research the Issue
Component 3:
Analyze the Research
Component 4:
Develop an Action Plan
Component 5:
Take Civic Action
Component 6:
Assessment and Reflection
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Component
2:
Research the Issue
The information gathering stage is where children have the greatest
opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary activities. They
need to look at the following aspects of the issue: history,
factual bases, existing public opinion and alternative perspectives.
Sections I-4 , I-6 and IV in the KAT
Manual looks at KAT as an interdisciplinary, research opportunity
and shows how to conduct KAT research.
How Two KAT Classes Used This Component
Skateboarding
Understanding that information empowers people, Gladwyne 4th graders
armed themselves with as much information as they could get. They
contacted their Township commissioner, obtained copies of the relevant
ordinances, Township maps and orientation materials. Then they invited
the Director of the Township's Parks and Recreation Department to
visit the school for a lengthy discussion. Questions and answers covered
issues of safety, budget, liability, Township decision-making procedures
and the role of the Department. They studied skateparks developed
by other municipalities. The children found they still needed more
information. They developed a survey to learn about skateboarding
habits in Lower Merion, and sent this survey to 3000 students in the
Township schools.
School Safety
Woolslair students turned to knowledgeable citizens in their community
and to their city councilman to get information about this problem.
They learned how important it is to measure and document a situation
in order to be able to solve it. Therefore, at different times during
the school
day, the children went outdoors, appropriately equipped and with supervision,
to tabulate the number of motor vehicles zooming past the school and
to record speeds. They observed and tabulated the number of jaywalkers.
They also researched the number and dates of accidents that had occurred.
Working with experts in the community, the children learned more about
City Council and the processes for citizens to make changes.
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