American Ideals Virtual Field Trip

Students will experience the ideals that America was founded on by going on a virtual field trip (a 21 minute video put together by Discovery Education). As students watch they will be expected to analyze the basic qualities most Americans value in a leader as well as a citizen. Students will analyze what makes a strong leader, what makes a strong follower, and how can both groups coexist to serve the greater public.

By the end of the virtual field trip students will answer 3 questions designed to make them consider the various expectations they will face in the American adult world. Students must consider what makes a leader great, what makes an American great, and how communication affects American interactions.  

Follow the instructions below to start your virtual field trip:

Step 1: Click on the following link to watch the American Ideals Virtual Field Trip:

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Step 2: Answer the following questions in your own words:

1. What qualities does a good leader have?

2. What qualities does a good American have?

3. How can being a good communicator help someone become a better American?

Students are expected to give detailed explanations of what they learned about American Ideals. Students must apply what they learned from the virtual field trip as they explain their own definition of a good leader, a good American, and the role of effective communication. While students may give their own personal definitions, they must include information from the virtual field trip.

After going on the virtual field trip, students should now know the basics of the values shared by most Americans. America is a country founded on the relationship between its people and its leadership in order to create a stronger place for all. The American government is designed to create a relationship where citizens do not serve their government but where the government serves its people. Hopefully after today students are leaving with a deeper understanding of what makes the American people great.

Reference:

Shepherd, J., Barrella, P., Edgar, A., Simpson, C., & Hehr, L. (2022). American Ideals Virtual Field Trip. Civics Connected. Retrieved July 11, 2022, from https://www.civicsconnected.com/virtual-field-trip/