Like any great model, the strength of the politicolors pairs their simplicity with their potential for greater interpretation. The collective works of Theodore Geisel aka Dr. Seuss are just the same. In my second year of utilizing Professor Harris’s model, I coupled Seuss stories with each of the boxes. I teach upper elementary students, but [...]
Posts under ‘Fruit Plate’
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Leader + Follower = A Movement
Each in his own turn, to be ruled and to rule. In Washington today, a group of attendees at the Gov 2.0 Expo considered how to best build online communities to foster citizen engagement. The presentation was introduced by this video of a dancing guy. He was just a weird guy dancing by himself until [...]
The Constitution and a Colorful Imagination
A friend posted an article from The Onion on my Facebook wall today with the note, “Seemed tailor-made for you.” She was right and I imagine it’s a laugh we can share here too. The headline: Area Man Passionate Defender of What He Imagines the Constitution To Be And the blurb that earned the first [...]
My Serial of Boxes (A Post Script)
Yesterday, we concluded the We the People text, returning again to the politicolor boxes! The role of citizenship emerged, and I invited the students who wished to submit a pledge to be active. As you may note, not all of my little citizens chose to record a pledge, which is beauty unto itself. Have a [...]
Project Citizen
Having been briefly introduced to Project Citizen at the National Academy, I decided to try it out this year. It’s an ideal, outcome-based activity as much about the journey as the finish. And the great thing about the finish is that it’s really just the beginning, for students receive the tools to research and formulate [...]
My Serial of Boxes (Pt. 3 of 3)
In the previous installment, I overcame my apprehension at introducing the politicolors, and began to share student responses to political theory. At one time, I had been worried about the abstract nature of such an approach, yet here they were truly excited to use colored pencils in their notes and making connections of which I [...]
My Serial of Boxes (Pt. 2 of 3)
When last we met, I was explaining my dread, as I contemplated using Will’s boxes with my 4th-6th classroom. Here was this rich, layered theory, which I still hadn’t mastered; yet, the politicolors had given dimension to the founding, I’d never before imagined. Could I bring them to life? It was understood that I had [...]
My Serial of Boxes (Pt. 1 of 3)
After a year to digest Will’s colors and boxes, I felt ready to use them with my class. It wasn’t without apprehension. Although I’ve spent a lot of time thinking and re-envisioning the National Academy (primarily through writing and this site), I want to approach mastery before revealing ideas. I think that’s only natural with [...]
A Paradigm: Six Words for the National Academy
You might remember a New York Times contest to craft a six word motto for the United States. We turned the powerhouse of Academy thinking at the question. Laura suggested a phrase you might recognize… “MUTUAL GUARDIANS OF OUR MUTUAL HAPPINESS” I think that phrase resonated as a result of her work at Monpelier’s NEH [...]
