Show Values Program Teaches Citizenship JL The American Values program program pro pro- 1 gram of the Davis 4 i District was highlighted by byl l Ralph Davis director of the program and Mrs Lawrence Dechart school study chairman I o of the Bountiful League of Wom Worn Women en Voters during a discussion en on radio recently This was one l 3 o of a series of radio presentations presenta presenta- sponsored by the Utah League of Women Voters AMERICAN Values Is a ap ar r p program of the south f Davis elementary schools It I presently exists In no other I system An exemplary center I las his been set up In the Taylor I I II I School to arrange for visitation I and for dissemination of iI Information or- or I i 1 mation nation regarding the program i I i to schools throughout the western west west- i r ern states I r A study of federal funds available to Davis C Co County o u n t y schools drew a attention tt e n 0 n of t League of ague Women Voters me memi men men- in i hers bers to American Values for for the Exe Exemplary plarY Center was es- es through an ESEA Title j In m grant Application has been made for another grant to expand expand ex- ex the program into secondary second second- ary uY schools RECENT STUDIES have made educators educators aware that a childs child's attitudes toward the concepts about government begin to def deI develop de- de flop p even before f I elementary school years ears Jy By high school age the basic attitudes toward government are entrenched ell and little t r change ge is likely to occur Hence American American Values was Vas Intro- Intro in to fifth and sixth grade classes and was soon extended to i third and fourth g grades rades Curen CurI Cur- Cur I rend en M y t the he program is basic to J the social studies curriculum In 12 area ea schools den dents dJ TilE PROJECT involves students stu- stu EaCh In a model government I fifth and sixth grade e 1 within t the classroom a elt City Ul government Different i types eg e.g. mayor-council mayor council-city council manager or commission commission commission com com- mission are used as models All classes in a school do not use the same model and a I class may change the type of government during the course of the school year GOVERNMENTAL meetings are held during school hours for the program is an Integral part of the curriculum not extra D De Decisions e c cis i s i Ion o n s 5 sare are made in regard to such classroom matters as housekeeping housekeeping housekeeping house house- I keeping bulletin boards displays displays displays dis dis- disI I plays or enforcement of rules I IThe The object is to function as I nearly as possible like a city government I Following the organization of I Ithe the classroom cities the students stu dents involved elect representatives representatives representatives I to a constitutional con con- At this convention a school constitution Is drawn up enabling the formation of a school government c closely 1 0 s e 1 y modeled on our federal govern govern- I ment FIFTH AND sixth grade students students stu stu- stu-I stu dents ratify the constitution and must then abide by its provisions provisions provisions provi provi- I which may concern intramural In Intramural intramural in- in activities as well as outdoor safety and playground regulations Of necessity the student constitution does not touch areas where school policies policies policies poli poli- cies are set The values taught the children children children chil chil- dren by the program include leadership self self-d self discipline is c i P Ii n e I honesty and responsibility for forone's forone's I Iones Ione's ones one's actions Opportunities es will be afforded Interested schools throughout the western states to study and observe the student government program In action Visits to the theE E Exemplary e Center at the Taylor School may be arranged for individuals In Individuals Individuals In- In or groups and publications publications publications are available limit limit- on a limited ed basis on request |