LRE
Page 2
Making Connections… Jane McConnell, OBA/LRE Coordinator Now is the time to make connections with Law-related Education programs. Today’s teachers and administrators are searching for minutes within their busy days to best serve students. LRE has a proven track record of assisting educators in delivering quality civic education. Developmentally age-appropriate curricula for Pre-K thru 12 are easily correlated to Oklahoma’s PASS skills. Many of the teachers featured in this edition began by making a connection to one of our LRE programs. Professional development and training are offered with free classroom materials. LRE teachers are leaders within their school districts, recognizing that civics must be taught across the curriculum.
CIVITAS… The Institute for the Study of Civil Society February 2007 Jeanie Driskill, 4th Grade teacher at West Elementary in Weatherford accompanied Jane McConnell, LRE Coordinator to the Foundations in Democracy Professional Development seminar in High Tatras, Slovakia. The Oklahoma representatives worked in partnership with representatives from Michigan and Colorado to present the fundamentals of politics and government to teachers in an emerging democracy. Those representing Michigan were David Hales, Michigan Social Studies Consultant and Sandy McDonald an elementary school teacher from Taylor Public Schools. The Colorado representatives were Consultant Gail Schatz and elementary teacher trainer, Stefani Sullivan. This exchange program is funded through the Center for Civic Education.
Pictured: Right, Jeanie Driskill; Left:, Stefani Sullivan
April 2007 LRE Committee Member Randy Grau traveled to the Czech Republic to represent Oklahoma as part of Civitas, an international program teaching individuals how to be involved in their local government.
We the People… Citizen and the Constitution Enid High School teacher Matt Holtzen’s class competed at the National Finals in Washington, D.C. LRE Chairperson, Chip Clark served as a national finals judge.
May 2007 The We the People:Project Citizen National Showcase was held during a National Conference of State Legislators meeting in Boston. The event was co-sponsored by the Center for Civic Education and the NCSL. Oklahoma received a superior ranking in the Project Citizen National Showcase results. Thanks to the efforts of Janet Cook and her 5th grade class at Laverne Elementary. Each competing group presented a public policy proposal. Laverne Elementary students addressed the issue of nutrition in their project entitled “Slim is the Weigh to Go”. Way to go Laverne Elementary! June 2007 LRE Committee Member, Evelyn Phyffer attended the Street Law Parents and the Law Conference in Reno, Nevada.