Lesson 1: Understanding Advocacy
This lesson, part of the “Today’s Challenges; Today’s Leaders: Real World Conversations for the Classroom” series, introduces students to the concept of advocacy and the characteristics of an effective advocate. Through a hands-on activity advocating for random classroom items, key definitions, icon-matching of advocate traits, and a video clip on agricultural advocacy, students learn to define advocacy, distinguish it from lobbying, and identify the six characteristics of an effective advocate.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- Define advocacy.
- Contrast advocacy and lobbying.
- Describe the characteristics of an advocate.
- Time required
- 45 minutes
- Materials
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- Writing surface
- Random items from the classroom-stapler, paper clips, eraser, coffee cup, markers, etc. (one item per student)
- Internet access
- TCTL.2.1.AS.A (one copy)
- TCTL.2.1.AS.B (one copy)
- TCTL.2.1.AS.C (one copy)
- Purpose
- The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the topic of advocacy and define the characteristics of an advocate.
- LifeKnowledge Connections – Precept(s) addressed
- Awareness: E2. Perform leadership tasks associated with citizenship; Continuous Improvement: F5. Acquire New Knowledge
- LK Lesson Suggestion
- AHS.40 – Becoming an advocate for agriculture and natural resources
- Connection Questions
- 1. What are two areas that you would like to become an advocate for in your community? 2. Who is someone that you see as an advocate in your community? What characteristics does that individual demonstrate? 3. What characteristics of being an advocate will you need to become better at in order to effectively advocate for an issue in your community?