A plea for help

[Kentucky]

In the last 5 months I have become much more "active" in defending out freedoms and liberty than I ever have been before. I have also learned a great deal in the during that time regarding our own history, true constitutionalism, current world events, etc... I have become committed to doing my part to preserve and defend that Liberty that our Founding Fathers gave to us at such cost. To that end I have become very active politically, and have also become very active in the Appleseed organization (which was what inspired me to begin with.) I wont bore you with many other details.

One thing I have come to realize is that in the battle we are fighting today the PR battle and educating others is more important than even voting or writing to representatives. To that end I have been considering teaching "classes" in my hometown on 3 subjects.

- True American History ( The inspiration and example of our Founding Fathers )
- True Constitutional Government ( Our government functioning CORRECTLY in it's role )
- Current World Events ( Enlightenment on current events (example NAU) and active involvement. )
- Responsible Citizenship

My reason for this is that I realize that 1 person alone cannot accomplish a great deal, but 1 person can "start the fire" that spreads. To me the first logical step is reaching out to those closest to me and getting them involved. I have had this idea for a while and it has gotten stronger lately.

This past Sunday my preacher and his wife approached me and out of the blue asked if I would be interested in teaching a class such as this, primarily to the homeschoolers in our church, but open to all others as well. We have about 30 middle-high school age kids that will be attending, and 3 different adult couples have already stated that they plan to attend. Interest is high and I believe even more can be generated. Most of the homeschooling parents will make it a mandatory class for their children.

Now I am thrilled that I have this opportunity, but I am also very nervous because I dont have a clear structure to adhere to, and a clear way to proceed. That is where I am asking for help here. Has anyone else done anything like this before? I am seeking ANY type of help that I can get with resources, suggestions, etc...If you can help me in any way, or have any suggestions, or know anyone who can help, PLEASE email me or PM me or respond to this thread with suggestions.

My vision for this program is to develop it with this group, and then go on the road to other churches, community groups, polictical groups, etc trying to educate others and spread the fire and the passion of Freedom and Liberty! I know the young people in our church and I have NO DOUBT that inspiration like this will mould them into citizens who will be very aware and will make a difference (with some guidance at first). I KNOW there are many more "sleeping Americans" out there who need to be awakened. I hope you can help me with this.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Some advice, both strategic and tactical:


Strategic:

* Learn your audience. What do they know? Where are their heads? You have to start where they are, and lead them step by step to where they need to be.

* You have to illustrate how taking each step of the path is to their benefit.

* You need a clear vision of what is at the end of the path

Tactical:

* You MUST organize and structure your materials!

* Indent style outlining is your friend.
* Blank paper and pencil is your friend. (notecards too!)
* Begin with unstructured thought: write on a notecard, 1 per thougth, each and every element of what you want to teach. Toss them on the table in front of you. Whenever you think of a new element, add it to the pile. When you think you've sketched the thing well enough, start to organize it, so that YOU understand the many relationships that these concepts have to each other: cause/effect, subject affinity, heirarchy, timeline, etc. There will be more than one connection between things, and that's why we start unstructured.

Once you've progressed to the point of where you have a good feel for the relationships of the things, then it's time for structuring it into learning blocks, which are linear, building things up in dependency order. That's where your outline comes in handy.

You've taken on a big job! Don't be hesitant to borrow liberally from those who have blazed the trail! Check out books, use quote relevant segments!

One of my favorite sources for "remedial citizenship 101" is the Boy Scout merit badge manuals.

Good luck!

 

[Kentucky]

geek,

You are right, organization will be they key to this. There is plenty of good subject matter, presenting it is the tricky part! Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[Hoppy590]

Kentucky. im not not knowledgable enough you give you an outline, or any suggestions

but the truth with a few holes is still better than the full out lies pushed on our society today

start with how america is not a democracy, but a republic. and the constitution takes priority over what people want. doesnt matter if 99.9999% of the people want something. nothing short of a violent rebelion can change the constitution.

good luck. i have the feeling you will achieve more even if you should falter at times, than any of us can.

 

[mnrivrat]

Begin with unstructured thought: write on a notecard, 1 per thougth, each and every element of what you want to teach. Toss them on the table in front of you. Whenever you think of a new element, add it to the pile. When you think you've sketched the thing well enough, start to organize it, so that YOU understand the many relationships that these concepts have to each other

Great advise - I don't use the note cards, but the concept is the same - find the important eliments that you want to convey and structure them in order of presentation making any related point notes to that eliment just below it. Become very familiar with your organized outline so that all you need to do is glance at the eliment and it will bring your mind to the point your addressing - then just keep walking through the outline, point by point, one eliment at a time.