What Will You Stand For? Video Discussion Guide

Grade Level: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Content Areas: Government
Type of Resource: Lessons & Activities
Duration: 60 minutes

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Throughout American History, young people have led, influenced, and defined the outcomes of our elections and politics. By organizing, lobbying, advocating, protesting, and voting, young voices supply our democracy with a never-ending source of fresh ideas, concerns, and hopes. This tradition continues today, as voters ages 18 to 24 make up the biggest potential voting bloc in modern elections.

This video is part of a series of short films from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History that looks at how young people have historically shaped public opinion and outcomes. These brief videos help young people learn from the civic actions of youth in the past to become thoughtful, informed, and active participants in their democracy today. Through historical stories of youth engaged in our elections and politics, these videos show how youth have made history through civic action and challenge today’s young people to continue shaping their democracy. This video (02:32) asks viewers to reflect on and discuss the question: What will you stand for?

View the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8pq95UkU6Y&ab_channel=NationalMuseumofAmericanHistory

Find more information through the Learning Lab collection here: http://learninglab.si.edu/q/ll-c/Wx9864BskEyyLuC0

National Standards

Common Core State Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.1 (Comprehension and Collaboration): Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.2 (Comprehension and Collaboration): Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards

D2.Civ.2.9-12. (Civics): Analyze the role of citizens in the U.S. political system, with attention to various theories of democracy, changes in Americans' participation over time, and alternative models from other countries, past and present.

D2.Civ.14.9-12. (Civics): Analyze historical, contemporary, and emerging means of changing societies, promoting the common good, and protecting rights.