HARRISBURG, Pa. (Aug. 5, 2024) — In collaboration with the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), the Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement recently released a summary of the 2023-24 school year’s civics-based read-aloud programs for elementary school students.
More than 80 attorneys and judges from the PBA and ABOTA participated as volunteers, leading interactive discussions, Q&A segments and activities related to the books’ themes.
The program engaged students in understanding civic principles and the functions of government through interactive and engaging storytelling sessions. The goal was to introduce civic concepts early in a student's educational journey to build a foundation for informed and active citizenship. Objectives included familiarizing students with basic civic principles and governmental functions, enhancing reading comprehension and critical thinking skills and encouraging students to become active and informed participants in their communities.
Activities included drawing exercises, mock elections and role-playing scenarios to help students internalize civic concepts.
The read-aloud programs reached more than 9,600 students in 118 individual classrooms. Student feedback indicated an increased interest in civics and government with improved reading comprehension and critical-thinking skills.
Volunteers reported a rewarding experience and a deeper connection to the community. Teachers reported that students were more engaged in social studies lessons and demonstrated a better understanding of civic concepts as well as improved reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.