California - We the People:
The Citizen and the Constitution

WTP Highschool
Companion Website

California Project Citizen Website

California Project Citizen
If you are interested in our sister program, We the People, Project Citizen please contact Project Citizen State Coordinator, Tina Ochoa at ochoa@civiced.org 

CALIFORNIA WE THE PEOPLE
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The California We the People, The Citizen and the Constitution program is one of only two states that divides itself not only into Congressional Districts but also Regional Districts. Belows is the map of this organization which should assist you in finding the appropriate Region Coordinator to Contact.

Recent Posts

California We the People is honored to announce a new link with outstanding video production produced by James Moxom and his crew at WTP Films. For insights into the We the People program and the Mock Congrressional Hearing, go to the following,
http://www.wtpfilms.com  to see an outstanding representation of a congressional hearing as well as the story of the National Champion Arcadia High School We the People Team.

NEW! Pacing Guides for Level I, II, and III
We the People Texts

New: Literacy guides Available
The purpose of these guides is to provide teachers using the WTP program strategies and resources to help struggling readers. They include:
-An examination of the challenges facing struggling readers and their teachers
-An explanation of the reading process
-Practical strategies for classroom teachers
-Teacher resources
New: Sample Follow-Up Questions
 

Welcome to the California, We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Website. This Civic Education program was first developed by the Center for Civic Education in 1987 as the official curricular program to celebrate the Bicentennial of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. For over twenty years, the California We the People program has been committed to assisting educators from all learning communities prepare our students for citizenship in the Twenty-First century by focusing classroom learning on developing Civic Knowledge, Civic Skills, and Civic Dispositions. To learn more about the National We the People program, please go to the CCE Home button on the menu above.

Our website is intended to provide both local and statewide contact information, as well as information on professional development and community activities that are being held around the state every month of year. It is also our goal to provide both teachers and students with valuable resources that will assist in their learning about America's Constitution and the role that each individual plays in promoting both individual rights and the common good. Use the navigation bar above to quickly access resources for the program developed by staff and educators from California and across the world. If you have a question about our program statewide or in your community, do not hesitate to contact the California State Coordinator, David Richmond, at cawtp35@yahoo.com


 

CALIFORNIA/NEVADA SUMMER INSTITUTE BRINGS 42 CIVIC EDUCATORS TOGETHER IN SAN DIEGO!

July 6 to 12, University of San Diego: For the second time in the past three years, the California and Nevada We the People, The Citizen and the Constitution programs partnered up to bring together over 40 civic education teachers to the “chilly” city of San Diego for an intense and rigorous study of America’s Constitution and Bill of Rights. The institute was funded by a special grant provided by the Center for Civic Education, who developed and manages the national We the People program.

The professional development institute exposes participants to the works of renowned scholars like Sue Leeson, Professor of Political Theory and a former member of the Oregon Supreme Court and Scott Casper, Professor of History at the University of Nevada, Reno and past Editor of the William and Mary Quarterly.

Following the scholars, Mentor Teachers in the We the People program led participants through the curriculum and modeled the pedagogical strategies found in all levels of the program, elementary, middle school, and high school. Each day ended with participants in their team groups preparing for the simulated congressional hearing, the foundational and culminating activity of the We the People program.

The highly acclaimed institute program received rave reviews from the participants. Said one teacher from Nevada, “Sue Leeson and Scott Casper were outstanding! I didn’t know teachers like that existed at the college level.” Another teacher from California added that she “appreciated that not only did I get great ideas for my classroom but I also got invaluable information as a citizen.”

There is no doubt that the week was rigorous and by the end many participants observed that they felt that their heads were heavy with ideas, but a new community of civic educators was formed out of the challenges of the week. The experience was best summarized by an elementary teacher from southern California who said, “This was truly the most exciting, best organized, helpful professional development I have ever been to. From the scholars to the mentors to the staff’s constant caring soul, it was on ongoing learning and sharing experience.”

If you are interested in future professional opportunities with the Center for Civic Education and the California and Nevada We the People programs, please go to www.civiced.org or check the events page at this website.

TO SEE MORE IMAGES FROM THE EVENT Click Here



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A Good Day in Our Nations Capitol: Region 5 Coordinator Pam Allender, along with co-coordinators for CA-29, Kim Allender and Irma Hernandez Conrad meeting with Congressman Adam Schiff, one of many great supporters in the House of Representatives from California that support the We the People programs. This photo was taken while over 500 State and District Coordinators were meeting in Washington D.C. during the annual Center for Civic Education/We the People Coordinators Conference in late June.
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WE THE PEOPLE SHOWCASE HEARINGS: ELEMENTARY STUDENTS WOW PARENTS, TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS AND VOLUNTARY JUDGES THROUGHOUT STATE.

Nearly 1200 fifth grade students from three school districts in Northern and Southern California expressed their constitutional knowledge and skill in a series of Showcase events from May 19th to June 4th. This level of participation is something that State Coordinator David Richmond is extremely proud of and he believes that with the dedication of California’s District Coordinators and Teachers, that the numbers of 5th grade students will continue to grow.


Students From Conejo Unified School District Participate in Showcase Hearings at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

Over 1000 students from both the Oak Park and Conejo Valley Unified School Districts participated in the We the People Elementary Showcase at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library during the weeks of 24th and 31st. For these two weeks 5th grade students participated in simulated Congressional Hearings before school and community leaders. Testifying on the Founders beliefs about our natural rights and the role of our current government and their responsibilities as citizens of the United States, students worked in teams to share their insight and knowledge. Recognized by California State Senator Tony Strickland and Assemblywoman Audra Strickland, each student received a certificate of recognition and achievement. Organized and Coordinated by CA-24 District Coordinator and CVUSD Program Coordinator Kim Tetzlaff, these hearings are the largest held in one venue in the entire United States. Ms. Tetzlaff acknowledged the dedication of the teachers, the support of the CVUSD administration and community and the partnership with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Foundation as the primary reason for the tremendous success of the We the People program in this area of the state. Community support member Richard Stein said “The knowledge these children bring with them, their ability to reason with constitutional issues, their knowledge of the founding principles of our democracy and of the working of branches of government is astounding when you realize how few adults understand any of this. We are bringing along a generation of enlightened citizens in a challenging world filled with fear and lack of understanding of others, and it was an honor and privilege to be there. I was moved deeply. They bring with them a sense of hope for the future.”


District Coordinator Jim Bentley and Elk Grove Teachers Address Audience of Students and Parents

For one night only, the gymnasium and classrooms at Laguna Creek High School were transformed into Capitol Hill when nearly 160 5th grade students from Arnold Adreani and Foulks Ranch Elementary schools participated in the Elk Grove Unified School District’s 2nd Annual Simulated Congressional Hearings on May 19th. “The Hearings are a culminating activity for the We the People, The Citizen and the Constitution Program” said Mary Beth Kropp, principal at Foulks Ranch. “This program teaches the principles and values of the Constitution and Bill of Rights and also provides our students with a thorough understanding of their rights and responsibilities as American citizens.” The program was organized and coordinated by teacher and CA-3 District Coordinator Jim Bentley. Mr. Bentley, one of the nation’s lead elementary mentor teachers praised his fellow teachers and the students and believes that next year they will have 2-3 more classes of students participating in the program. He also thanked the support of the other coordinators in Region 1 and the Region Coordinator Dee Morgan for their assistance and support.

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NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!
Arcadia High School and Teacher/Coach Kevin Fox
Receive the Gold Medal at the 23rd Annual
We the People, the Citizen and the Constitution National Finals!! Congratulations to Mr. Fox, the Outstanding Students from Arcadia High, and the Arcadia Community for Bringing Back the Championship To California!!!
Check Out The Full Story Here
Congressional Statement

Arcadia High's California and National Championship Team -- Coach Kevin Fox
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