City of Clovis Civic Education Academy

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Grade 5 Lesson Plan - Local Water
Grade 5 Lesson Plan - Using a Map of Clovis
Grade 9 Lesson Plan - Water Key to Life
Grade 12 Lesson Plan - Scarcity Choice and Economics

These lesson plans were developed by teachers from Clovis Unified as part of attending the City of Clovis Civic Education Academy. 

Description of the Academy: This unique and innovative two-day, city-district partnership empowers teachers to expand their knowledge about the inner workings of the City of Clovis.  Clovis Unified teachers interact with city officials, visit city departments, and develop standards-based lessons linked to City services. 

Next Academy:  June 15-16, 2007.

OTHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Began in the summer of 2005, teachers from Clovis Unified have participated in a two-day workshop about the City of Clovis.   The two-day workshop has been offered in January and June for the past two years.  The structure of the workshop is as follows:

• January:  Friday, 8:00-4:00 (sub day); Saturday, 8:00-12:00. (Sub day and $50 stipend)
• June (after school is out):  Thursday, 8:00-4:00; Friday, 8:00-12:00. (Stipend of $100)

During the two days, teachers participate in presentations, tour city services, and write standards-based lesson plans integrating content from the workshop.

Former Clovis Mayor and current city councilwoman Lynne Ashbeck best describes the purpose of the program: “As our city continues to grow, it is more important than ever to sustain the spirit of community, citizenship and service synonymous with Clovis.  Through the Clovis Civic Education Academy, we hope Clovis Unified School District teachers, students and parents will be encouraged to get involved with government at the local level.”

The innovative aspects of this program are many including the innovative partnership between the city and school district, the interaction between city officials and teachers, the development of teacher lesson plans utilized in the classroom, and the personal information gained from the partnership by the participants as well as the city presenters.  The interactive nature of the presentations results in a better understanding of teaching by city officials and a better understanding of the inner workings of city services by district teachers.

The city gains a new base of citizens from which they can ask for input and solicit new commission members.  Recently, the city clerk emailed an announcement to all former participants that there were openings on the city’s planning commission.