Fire It Up!
This presentation represents a
carefully constructed collection of
graphic images designed to help K-12
students deeply understand and
connect the Core Democratic Values
of American society.
By tapping into the Visual/Spatial
intelligence, more students can build
associations that will help them truly
understand complexities and
interrelationships among our Core
Democratic Values.
Studies now say that over 60% of K-12
students are Visual/Spatial learners or
processors. Because of the many pictures and
images they have been exposed to from early
on, they are a generation whose brains are
more well developed in this area than many
adults.
Dendrites, Axons, and Nerve
Cell bodies
Where memory and thinking
occurs in the nervous system
As educators, we need to give them more ‘visual
cueings’ that will trigger the Visual/Spatial
memory system. If we expect students to
deeply understand Core Democratic Values, we
can help them develop new visual cues to pair
with the Language cues they have already
developed. This gives them two cueing systems
to help retrieve information from their
memories.
Adding Body/Kinesthetic cues, such as with CDV
Lego building, can provide even deeper
understanding and reach even more students.
• as visual flash cards for practice and skill building
• as assessments to check mastery
• for warm-ups or cool-downs to encourage writing skills
and making connections between CDV’s
• combine with Lego building Core Democratic Value
activity to add Body/Kinesthetic Intelligence
• import these visual CDV images into your own or student
presentations
•
For each graphic image, a suggested list of primary and
related Core Democratic Values appears under the “Add
Notes” section. There are interesting and varied “answers”
that are acceptable for each image.
You or your students may suggest alternate Core Democratic
Values that come to mind that definitely have a connection to
the visual image. These should be encouraged and supported
to the extent that they help students understand the
connections, complexities, and overlap between and among
the Core Democratic Values.
Contributors:
Liz Chala, Cyndi Neal, Kristi Horan, Phillips Elementary School,
Norma Shunta, McLaughlin Elementary School
Ken Horn, Muskegon Area Intermediate School District
Editors:
John Noling, Steele Middle School
Jan Pascavis, McLaughlin Elementary School
If you have any suggestions that could improve this
learning resource for teachers or students, including
new graphic images or classroom uses, please contact:
John Noling, Social Studies CurriculumConsultant
Office of Academic Excellence
Steele Middle School
1150 Amity Ave
Muskegon, Michigan, 49442
Phone: (231) 720-3026
Email: jnoling@muskegon.k12.mi.us
Core Democratic Values are the fundamental beliefs and constitutional principles of American society which
unite all Americans. These values are expressed in the Declaration of Independence, the United States
Constitution, and other significant documents, speeches, and writings of the nation.
Life
Patriotism
Liberty (Personal, Political,Economic Freedom)
Rule of Law
The Pursuit of Happiness
Separation of Powers
Common Good
Representative Government
Justice
Checks and Balances
Diversity
Individual Rights
Equality (Political, Legal, Social, Economic)
Freedom of Religion
Truth
Federalism
Popular Sovereignty
Civilian Control of the Military
Chief
Pontiac
Sitting
Bull
JUDICIAL
EXECUTIVE
LEGISLATIVE
STATES
STATES
STATES
CONCURRENT
POWERS
(shared)
NATIONAL
GOV’T
STATE AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT
JUD.
EXEC.
LEGIS.
E
VETO
L
J
E
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