Just Vote! Civic Participation and Service-Learning Curriculum

The lessons are designed for maximum flexibility in order to accommodate a range of school and classroom schedules. At a minimum, it contains materials and lesson plans for five separate 45 minute periods. Supplemental activities that deepen or expand each lesson are included as well. The classroom lessons can serve as the basis of service learning projects centered on voting, and an extensive service-learning planning and implementation portfolio is provided for that purpose. A Pre- and Post-assessment tool provides a base line of student knowledge, skills and attitudes about voting, along with any changes that may be attributed to participation in the lessons and activities of the Just Vote! project.

The Just Vote! curriculum incorporates a number of accepted best practices in the areas of law-related and civics education, service-learning, and character education. In addition to a focus on traditional content knowledge, the lessons promote the development of citizenship skills and civic commitment. When implemented at a maximum level, including the service project, it contributes to the important task of building essential civic dispositions, such as support for the common good, inclusion, and liberty. (National Constitution Center)