Civic Leadership Workshop Curriculum

Summary

The year 2017 has been declared as the Year of Giving by Sheikh Khalifa (the ruler of the
UAE) and in the spirit of this theme, I would like to design and run a workshop on civic
engagement and leadership for middle school students. There is a common misconception
that young people cannot make a change when in reality, they are the most qualified to lead
change initiatives. As students, they still have the optimism and determination to engage and
positively impact the ASD community and the community of Dubai. The challenge for many
of these adolescents though (as I have experienced) is that they do not know how to develop
and implement their ideas or take action. This workshop will aim to equip young students
with the tools and skills necessary to turn an idea into reality.

This project will benefit the ASD and Dubai community as a whole as if we nurture leaders
in civic leadership and engagement, then we will encourage the habit of giving back to the
community. This, in turn, would not only strengthen both communities but also inspire
younger members of the community to follow their lead. This custom of giving is one that
students will continue to implement in their own communities throughout their lives.
Additionally, through this workshop, young students may have the opportunity to find a
mentor (an NHS member) who could support the student in his or her future endeavors.
Lesson 1: Civic Leadership

Objective:
Understand what civic leadership is
Discover their leader identity

Pre-assessment:
Ask students for their own definitions of leadership
Activities:
Leadership Activity
I Am Poem
Core Values Activity
Social Change Model of Leadership Development (Reading)

Portfolio
Introduction to portfolio project

Assessment
Reading discussion and reflection

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Lesson 2: Civic Engagement

Objective:
Understand the importance of community and perspectives
Understand the community the student lives in
Discover how to approach service in a community

Pre-assessment:
Entering a Community Simulation
Two groups: the first is a company attempting to sell a product to a
community and the other is a community.
Purpose: To educate participants on the importance of understanding a
community before doing service in it
Activities:
Reflection on Pre-Assessment

Portfolio
Step 1: Look at the World Around You

Assessment
Portfolio completion
Reflect on similar instances in their live when they acted based on assumptions

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Lesson 3: Privilege and Power

Objective:
Further develop students leadership identity
Learn how to identify root causes of social issues

Pre-assessment:
Ask students to define privilege and what they consider to be privileges

Activities:
The Invisibility of Upper Class Privilege (Reading)
Whatever (Reading)
Identifying root causes

Portfolio
Step 2: Root Cause Tree

Assessment
Reflect on readings
Portfolio completion

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Lesson 4: Approaches to Civic Engagement

Objective:
Learn various strategies of change/development
Identifying stakeholders
Recognize community assets

Pre-assessment:
Make a class list of forms of civic engagement

Activities:
Difference between working in charity and working in solidarity
ABCD: Asset Based Community Development Model (Diagram)
Social Wheel of Change (Reading)

Portfolio
Step 2: Engaging and Identifying Stakeholders
Step 3: Identifying Community Assets
Step 4: Social Wheel of Change

Assessment
Portfolio completion

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Lesson 5: Cynicism and Hope I

Objective:

Pre-assessment:

Activities:
The Childrens March (video)*
Portfolio

Assessment
Reflection: What did students learn from the video?

*Video will most likely take all block

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Lesson 6: Cynicism and Hope II

Objective:
Understand the cycle of hope and cynicism
Learn how to take measurable steps towards a goal

Pre-assessment:
Reflection/Discussion on Childrens March Video (learning)

Activities:
The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas
(https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/13/opinion/david-brooks-the-child-in-the-baseme
nt.html?_r=0)
Cycle of Cynicism and Hope (Reading)

Portfolio
Step 5: Making it Happen (A Planning Guide)

Assessment
Discussion on readings
Portfolio Completion

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Lesson 7: Cynicism and Hope III / Inspiring Change

Objective:
Learn how to inspire change amongst a community
How to compel individuals to believe in your cause

Pre-assessment:
What compels an individual to inspire change?

Activities:
TED talk: How leaders inspire action

Portfolio
Step 6: Pitching Your Passion

Assessment
Passion Pitches

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