“I think my favorite part about the Super Citizen Program is it teaches children about our history. Not just facts about our history, but what makes us Americans- the core values that make us Americans.” – Terry Williams, fifth grade teacher
In a huge kickoff of this year’s Super Citizen Program at Lakewood Elementary, hundreds of students waited eagerly in the gymnasium for Lady Liberty to take the stage! Huntsville-based Liberty Learning Foundation brought its Next Great Americans Bus Tour to the school today to donate free teaching tools, to bring the Statue of Liberty to life and to introduce students to the 10-week program they will begin when the bus rolls away.
But the foundation isn’t working alone. Generous local sponsors, Wells Fargo, have mde it possible to donate tools, train teachers and ensure these students learn lessons in civics, character, financial literacy, career exploration and our Great American Story. And they made it possible to kick off the program in a bug way – to increase learning, retention and community involvement.
Annette Hawk-Rice, Curriculum Specialist, puts it this way, ““My favorite part of the Kickoff was the interaction, getting the kids involved. Because that always lets them remember things when they get to speak and talk back. And the three points- citizenship, community and appreciation- how important these things are.”
The program will culminate with a project-based learning activity that has students teaming up to nominate, carefully select and, ultimately, honor local heroes in their graduation celebration set for April 23 at 1:00 pm.
“These ‘Torch Teams’ bring their learning full-circle,” says LLF founder Patti Yancey. “It lets them honor people who personify ‘Super Citizens’ and, in doing so, it makes the students themselves into better citizens.”
The public is invited to attend the celebration. Please check our calendar as dates / times are subject to change.