K12> [Innovative-Teachers] PEPRALLYUSA.COM LAUNCHES DEMOCRACY CONTEST FOR 4-8 GRADERS

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Net Happenings - From Educational CyberPlayGround
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From: "lotsabigideas" <lotsabigideas@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <Innovative-Teachers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thu, 13 Nov 2003 19:24:59 -0000
Subject: [Innovative-Teachers] PEPRALLYUSA.COM LAUNCHES DEMOCRACY CONTEST FOR 
4-8 GRADERS
 
CAMILLUS, NY Nov. 12, 2003--        "What Iraqi & Afghani Kids Need to Know
About Democracy," a new contest for school children in grades 4 through
8, has been announced by PeprallyUSA.com.

        The contest calls for classrooms of students to create illustrated
books based on the United States Constitution and its amendments,
providing visual and written expressions of the meaning of each, and
examples of how these principles and laws would apply in day to day
living.

        "To the Iraqi and Afghani kids, freedom and democracy, as we
experience them, are beyond imagination.  Researching and writing these
books will provide American children with an experience that will help
them to better understand what is so special and important about our
country," said Dana Johnston, PeprallyUSA.com's publisher. "We would
like to generate enough handmade books so that all the school children
in these two countries actually get a chance to hold, touch and even
keep a book for their class or school."

        Noting that the 1998 National Assessment of Education Progress (
NEAP) Civics Assessment showed that 85% of 4th graders couldn't name
two services government pays for with taxes, and that 75% didn't know
that the three parts of the federal government are legislative,
executive and judicial,   Ms. Johnston explained why PeprallyUSA.com  
was initiating this book writing effort.

        "A democracy such as ours is like a garden.  It needs tending and
maintenance, or it could wither and die.

        "To properly care for a free America, each generation of our
citizens must gain enough familiarity with the history and workings of
America's institutions so that they can take a hands-on role in tending
and running them.

        "Freedom, justice and equality don't `just happen'.  People have
to make them happen."

        Noting that fewer than 51% of eligible voters took to the polls in
the 2000 Presidential Elections, Ms. Johnston remarked that all of the
teachers, and custodial parents of students participating in the
contest will need to sign statements certifying that they are
registered voters, if eligible, in order for the students to
participate.

        All teachers and students who are officially entered in the
contest will receive some interim rewards, such as discount coupons for
goodies such as pizza, ice cream, entertainment. The contest prizes
will include US savings bonds, calling cards, gift cards, cd's, t-
shirts, posters, hats, pens, software, and computers.
        Educators who wish to participate must enroll  by December 15,
2003.  Information about the contest is available at http://
www.peprallyusa.com.

Four other contests with monetary and other prizes are being offered
concurrently by PeprallyUSA.com:  one for photography, one for design,
one for budding journalists in high school or college, and one for
voter mobilization.

        PeprallyUSA.com, "The On-Line Magazine of American Activism,"  was
launched July 4, 2002.  Its mission is " to energize American activism,
to encourage citizen participation," said Dana Johnston..  "People who
serve our country, through whatever means suits them best individually,  
deserve recognition.  PeprallyUSA.com gives it to them."

PLEASE PASS THIS INFO ON TO ALL THE EDUCATORS YOU KNOW!  THANKS!
PeprallyUSA.com
The On-Line Magazine of American Activism (sm)
http://www.peprallyusa.com

To Post a message, send it to:   innovative-teachers@xxxxxxxxxxx

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