Civics Bits

Thoughtful and aware citizens need to have the ability to recognize bullying behaviors so they can help stop it as quickly as possible. Having a consistent understanding or definition of what bullying looks like is an important place to start. In this episode we also share misconceptions about bullying.

Being a good, or active, listener is an important skill for good citizens. It is a way to show respect to others. In this episode, we explore why being a good listener matters, and some tips for how to practice this skill.

Government is a huge topic for all of us regardless of our age. When we consider the different layers of government - federal, state, and municipal -it can get very complicated indeed! This episode focuses on the roles and responsibilities of the federal, or national, government of our country.

Why do people say mean, unkind, or hurtful words? In this episode, we explore the reasons, or motives, that people might have when they say those words. We also explore a strategy for responding to hurtful words in a way that can have a positive outcome.

In this episode, we explore the power of words, especially the negative impact of mean and hurtful words AND the positive impact of supportive and kind words. This is an important topic that we will revisit often.

In this third of 3 foundational episodes about the United States Constitution, we explore its first ten amendments - the Bill of Rights. These amendments protect the basic rights of the PEOPLE of the United States of America.

This is the second of 3 foundational episodes about the United States Constitution. Here, we explore the outcome of the Constitutional Convention in 1787 - which resulted in the United States Constitution! We take a big picture view of the articles of the constitution which established the three branches of government and clarified the relationship between the federal and state governments.

This foundational episode is the first of 3 about the United States Constitution. In this one, we explore the background of, or context for, the Constitution. After the 13 colonies declared independence from Great Britain, and after winning the War of Independence, the leaders of the new country recognized a need for a Constitution. They convened a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.

This episode fits in the "expectations" category of Civics Bits - it addresses expectations or guidelines for how good citizens act or treat each other as members of a community. Respect is, perhaps, one of the most important of those qualities, and it is also one of the most difficult for kids to understand. Treating someone with respect, even if you don't like them, is part of what being a good citizen is all about.

In this second episode about citizens and citizenship, we begin to explore what it means to be a GOOD citizen.