Describes how Charles Dickens'"Christmas Carol" provided a sense of community and helped to shape civic identity in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students. (PRA)

Describes interdisciplinary strategies that develop civic literacy by empowering students as members of a democratic community. Concludes that civic writing, using the research skills of inquiry and advocacy, is a successful catalyst for developing civic community. (MM)

Discusses a school district's plan to introduce into the curriculum civic writing activities directly linked to local history and community issues. Suggests that writing can stimulate students' civic responsibility through the academic skills of research and critical thinking. Addresses planning, implementation, assessment, and recommendations.…

Given the increasingly multi-ethnic school population and the lack of democratic political traditions in many students' cultural backgrounds, new ways to educate for citizenship are essential. The paper recommends developing multidisciplinary approaches to teaching civic identity and civic writing. It describes how a New Jersey school district…