The Dirksen Center wants to help teachers teach better by giving them the opportunity to use technology to create, customize, and share online learning activities in their classrooms. The Center wants to help students learn more by bringing educational resources together in one place that provide new ways to learn about Congress interactively.

* WHAT IS CITIZENSHIP? *

“Citizenship is man’s basic right, for it is nothing less than his right to have rights.” Chief Justice Earl Warren, 1958

Have your students close their eyes and imagine they just woke up early in the morning.  Surprise! They are the only person left on earth.  What does this mean?  They are free.  No rules and responsibilities!

Find What is Citizenship at: http://www.congressforkids.net/citizenship_1_whatis.htm.  Have your students read the text and see how well they do with the Word Play. Make sure you have your students read the directions provided in the green box before they complete the Word Play activity.

Okay, let's begin...Have your students click on Word Play and unscramble the words and look up their meanings in their dictionary.  Have them enter the correct unscrambled word and its meaning in the text boxes provided.

* Online Games to Learn about Citizenship and Democracy *

Captain Campaign -- http://demgames.org/captain_campaign -- Gives an overview of the major challenges involved in running a public campaign around a political issue.  In particular, it emphasizes that in this key component of modern democracy an advocate must compete with people who oppose his or her view when trying to influence decision-makers. It also highlights the importance of communicating well with politicians and the public.

Councillor Quest II -- http://demgames.org/councillor_quest -- Gives an introduction into the work of local councils and councilors. The game underlines the fact that councilors are servants of their local community and that their job is ultimately to keep electors happy. It also shows that councilors act within time constraints and must make good decisions in dealing with a wide range of local issues.

Money Manager  -- http://demgames.org/money_manager -- Be a financial supremo!  Control the budget and try to keep your job.

* Trivia *

What INS form is used to apply to become a naturalized citizen?

1. Form N-200 "Petition for Naturalization"
2. N-400 "Application for Naturalization"
3. Social Security card
4. FD-258

*Find the answer in next month's issue.

Answer to September 2009’s Fun, Facts, and Trivia: http://www.webcommunicator.org/classroomresources/funfactstrivia_ans0909.htm

Do you have or know of an online activity you would like The Dirksen Congressional Center to feature on its new Web site for students -- Congress for Kids? The Center is currently seeking online activities that provide new ways to learn about Congress and the workings of the federal government interactively.

If you have questions or suggestions for online activities, contact Cindy Koeppel.