Curriculum
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Each assigned subject with an asterisk has monthly financial value. To receive the reward you must be a member, submit within the deadline and respond accurately to all areas.
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Active members participate in an online curriculum based on fundamental concepts in the following areas:
- Civics
- Financial
- Environmental
- Communication
- Global and
- Leadership development
CIVICS
In the heavy climate of political strife, there is no better time to engage our youth. Members participate in every aspect of civic responsibility. Commencing with key concepts; participants are responsible for knowing their Local, State and National officials. Healthy debates ensue to ensure members exercise their 1st Amendment Right-Freedom of Speech. Debates also assist members in analytical thinking, taking a stance on your conviction and even changing opinions when armed with more inforrmation. Members are encouraged to participate in local elections in their district.
FINANCIAL
With the economic downturn, it is not too soon to learn about financial responsibility. This area focuses on savings, understanding the banking industry, investments etc. Basic math problems are reinforced. Recently added for 2012: Members will be asked their career aspirations. Members will also be given the average salary for their career choice. They will also be advised of what grades, skills and other key areas will be required to reach their career goals. Members are expected to maintain a monthly budget stemming from different scenarios. December's Finance scenario is an example of what to expect. Students can balance his/her $$ award via a ledger book, check book or excel spreadsheet.
Monthly scenarios allow members the opportunity to make tough decisions. It also affords participants the opportunity to project and possibly begin an early plan for their future. At the end of the year students with the most $$ left in his/her account is awarded Financial Wizard of the year. This also includes a gift card and certificate.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Global warming or not, the planet is in jeopardy. Students are encouraged to explore both sides of the issue and develop a community project in which they are helping Mother Nature. Students are assigned extra credit for such a project. As they learn from their initiatives, they are able to update members on their progress.
COMMUNICATION
Self expression affords an individual a level of confidence that is second to none. At every opportunity members are asked to communicate their thoughts, ideas, goals, ambitions, problems, solutions etc. It is vital members are able to eloquently express themselves. This develops vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar, spelling and fosters the art of debating.
For 2012, The D.E.B.U.T will also sponsor a quarterly contest awarding the best storyline, poem, song or essay for the quarter. Parents, families, friends, school and outsiders are encourage to vote on their favorite feature via the D.E.B.U.T blog at a cost of $1.00 per vote. A % of the proceeds will be contributed to a gift card for the winner and the difference goes to sponsoring resources for the program.
GLOBAL
Members explore the globe. Participants are exposed to various cultures, customs and norms that differ from that of the United States. Students are expected to graduate from the program with knowledge of countries, capitals, cities, foods, population growth, government, oceans, rivers, seas, mountains, currency as well as political issues etc. Students are asked to adopt a country other than the U.S and make comparisons. Students present their findings to the class, thus expanding the knowledge of other members.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
The D.E.B.U.T Program nurtures leaders not followers. Students are placed in work groups to exercise their leadership roles. Members are expected to initiate, delegate, exercise authority, implement and execute projects. Leaders will be born or molded. Regardless; The D.E.B.U.T will produce trailblazers.