Street Smarts: Civic Associations | Kids Shows

Today's episode of Street Smart Civics Edition is all about civic associations in the United States. Visit PragerUKids.com to download this sweet worksheet and play along. This is Street Smarts, a game show on the streets, where contestants are rewarded for their knowledge. Street Smarts! Amazing job, y'all did great. Nice, high five. Hey, welcome back to another episode of Street Smart Civics Edition. I'm your host, Suena Lewis, and this is Uncle Sam. And Uncle Sam, do you know where we're filming at today? Why, we are filming at none other than Sky Park in Lake Arrowhead to see what kids know about civic associations. I like that word. Civic associations. Let's go associate with people. Here are the rules. There are a total of eight questions. Each correct answer is worth $5, but the final question is worth $20. If someone is stuck on a question, they can pay Uncle Sam $2 for a clue, or they can pay him $5 to ask help from a friend or a parent. Now, once someone answers incorrectly, that is it. They are eliminated. However, the good news is they get to keep all the cash that they earned up to that point. And what is your name? My name is Madison. Madison. Madison, welcome, welcome. Olivia. Kelsey. Evelyn. Jaycee. And are you ready to answer questions about civic associations? Yes, I am. Oh, she is ready. Question one. Early American history was marked by intense civic participation. To influence various causes, Americans often joined civic associations and A, political groups, B, swim teams, or C, book clubs. A, political groups. A, political groups is correct. Political groups. Political groups is correct. Bingo! Political groups. A, political groups. Political groups is correct. A, you're on vacation, earning all this money, now that's in your hands. Question two. Americans can influence their communities, care for those in need, make their political views known, and improve society by A, joining interest groups, B, complaining online, or C, putting up yard signs. Can I please get a clue? Of course you can. I'll take two and she'll give you the clue. Citizens can influence decisions made by government officials or lawmakers by joining these groups. I think they would have to join interest groups. And I think you would be correct. That was a very interesting answer and got you five dollars back. Nice. A, joining interest groups. Interest groups. Yes, yes, that is great. Hope you're interested in five more dollars, Olivia! There you go, there you go. Question three, true or false. Founding father James Madison wrote in the Federalist Papers that when people live in a free society, they tend to gather in groups or factions with others who have similar interests or beliefs. Can I ask help from a parent? Of course you can. True. There you go. And she got you your five dollars right back in your pocket. Thank you, Mom. Go, Mom! True. Yes. As true as you are five dollars richer. Well done. You're welcome. I believe that is true. And I believe you should get your another five! I believe that as well. Go, Madison! Madison, what is your favorite activity to do in the summer? Probably dance. Dance, okay. You show me any like your latest move that you've learned. That's crazy. Uncle Sam, your turn. Question number four. A person paid to officially influence political decisions and lawmakers on behalf of specific organizations or people is called A. A. Lawyer. B. Politician. Or C. Lobbyist. B. Politician. I see where that could make the connection. But unfortunately, it's not the correct answer. Can't get a clue. First P.N. The root of this word can mean a waiting room near the entrance of a public building. Or the act... C. Lobbyist. Didn't need to even complete the clue. She just got five more dollars! Lobbyist. Lobbyist is correct. Yeah, it is. You lobbied well for another Lincoln. Lobbyist. Lobbyist is the right answer. Lobbyist is correct. The right answer. You are doing fantastic on a question five. Ready to win another five? Yes. Five for five. Question five. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Americans joined civic associations for major causes, such as the abolition of slavery, giving women the right to vote, and A. Restoring the monarchy, B. Civil rights, or C. Increasing illiteracy. A. Restoring the monarchy. A. Restoring the monarchy is unfortunately not the correct answer. B. Civil rights. B. Civil rights. B. Civil rights is the correct answer. You win a B. Correct! Five more dollars! Civil rights. B. Civil rights is the correct answer. Speaking of civil rights. She's got it. Here is an Abraham Lincoln for you. Well done. Amazing. Fantastic. Well done. Question six. Examples of civic or social organizations include churches, non-profit organizations, activist groups, and A. Post office, B. Hospitals, or C. Parent teacher associations. I'm just gonna get another clue on that. I'm gonna ask for a clue. All right. By working as a team, these groups address important issues at schools. Parent teachers association. Known as the PTA. So give her a clue. Another two for five for you. Parent teacher associations. Yes! Just take it. Yeah. Oh yeah. She's getting cocky now. Question seven. Why has civic participation and the influence of civic associations declined in the 20th and 21st centuries? A. The government plays a bigger role in society. B. Social issues no longer exist. Or C. Civic associations are too hard to join. Um. You pay your taxes to this entity. Okay. I'm hoping it's A. The government plays a bigger role in the society. And that is correct. Way to go. Hope was not unfounded. There is five more dollars. Government plays a bigger role in society. The government plays a bigger role in society. That is correct. So give her her five dollars. Picking a bigger role. Let's go, Olivia. Another Lincoln for you. What is this for? What is it for? Exactly. It's for the final question. Let's go. I can tell. I can tell it's on the tip of your tongue. Yes. Here it is. The final question worth $20. The National American Woman Suffrage Association, an activist organization that supported giving women the right to vote, was led by which famous person? Uh. Not Alice. Let's say. Three, two, one. I don't know. I don't know is not the correct answer. I'm so sorry. Emily Grant. I don't know. That's definitely not it. You're right. Emily Grant is not it. I'm just guessing. Mary Ross. A good guess, but it is not the right answer. It's a hard one. It's the final question. Yes. It is actually Susan B. Anthony. I was going to say that. No, you weren't. I was. No, you weren't. I thought she was from the wrong timeline. But you made it all the way to the last question. You did it. Today, we learned about civic associations in the United States. From the beginning, our founding fathers recognized the right of citizens to petition the government to address grievances. They even enshrined it in the First Amendment. Citizens exercise that right by participating in elections, but also make their views known by becoming involved in civic associations. Civic associations are where citizens join together to advocate for certain causes and influence decisions made by government officials and even the law itself. Our fourth president and father of the Constitution, James Madison, knew that groups of citizens united by common passions or interests would always exist in a free society, because free people often associate with others who have similar interests. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Americans joined civic associations for major causes, such as abolishing slavery, giving women the right to vote, and protecting civil rights. By banding together in groups, Americans could better coordinate their efforts and make their voices heard. While civic organizations still exist today, their influence has declined in the 20th and into the 21st century. The expansion of the federal government shifted the responsibilities of these groups, as well as families and communities, towards the federal government. Unfortunately, government is often not as effective as civic associations in addressing these issues, such as poverty. Furthermore, government funding of these groups often comes with conditions that influence how organizations must behave. Fun fact! Some of the earliest known American patriots who fought for a cause include Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry, who used their influence to promote American independence from Great Britain. They also played a leading role in the Sons of Liberty, a secret society that agitated against British rule in the years leading up to the Revolution. Civic associations have played an important role in the history of the United States, as they allow citizens to create change and address problems, fostering a healthy society. Selena, what are you doing? I was gonna get on the zip line. Do we still have to close out the show? Oh, that's right. Want to give a big thank you to all our contestants for participating in today's episode of Street Smart Civics Edition. I'm your host, Selena Lewis, with... Uncle Sam, and a big shout out and thanks to Sky Park here in Lake Arrowhead. It has been a blast and a half. We hope to see you next time. Until then, stay smart, stay Street Smart! Got my taxes! Wait, Selena! Get back here! USA! America! Eat my dust, Selena! I'm gonna get ya! Psych! Evelyn, for the win! Let's go! I love puppets. Uncle Sam! Uncle Sam, we're filming. Come on, no time for a puppet show. Street Smart. Street Smart comes first. For America! For freedom! Oh no! I thought I broke it. Hey, thanks for watching this episode. We hope you learned a lot. You know we have more, right? Prager U Kids is devoted to teaching what most schools aren't. Our American values, history, and blessings. Watch more at pragerukids.com And parents, don't forget to subscribe.