Charlotte has a new mayor - Dan Clodfelter. Here's a great civic learning opportunity.

1. A New Mayor for Charlotte (again)
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Charlotte’s new mayor, Dan Clodfelter, was sworn in on April 9, 2014.
This learning opportunity helps students learn about a variety of topics, and aligns with
Common Core and social studies standards.
Local government
Role of Mayor of Charlotte
Civic leadership
Current events and public policy issues
Economy, jobs, and connections between business and government
Media literacy
Reading and analyzing information
Writing to communicate information, ideas, facts and opinions
Communicating a position to set the tone, address issues, and be persuasive
And more!
Read and watch the Oath of Office Speech
Visit http://generationnation.org/index.php/learn/entry/a‐new‐mayor‐for‐charlotte‐again
For updated links to videos, news coverage, speech, and more.

2. A New Mayor for Charlotte (again)
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Predict, watch, read and analyze
First, think about the city and mayor, and predict which topics the speech will cover. Then read
or watch the speech.
Make notes and think about what you see –which topics are being covered? Any surprises?
What did you learn? Use the scorecard to keep track, and discuss at home or in the classroom.
Download activity: www.GenerationNation.org/documents/speech_analysis.pdf
Write the headline
After you watch and/or read the speech, think about the media coverage. Pay attention, and
answer these questions. Write your answers or share in groups or with your class or with your
family.
If you were reporting on the Inauguration, what would your headline be?
The next day, read actual headlines. Were you close? Were they right? Why or why not?
Read headlines from different news sources. What do they say? How are they similar or
different? Why?
Download activity: www.GenerationNation.org/documents/Write_headline_mayor.pdf
Write your own speech
A mayor provides a vision and direction for the city. Usually, the speech focuses on “big
picture” goals rather than detailed specifics. It is also a good leadership tool that can help to
communicate key messages as well as motivate and unify leaders and citizens.
As a speechwriter, what do you think the Mayor should say in the speech? Write your own.
Or partner with a speechwriting team in your class to create a new speech using quotes
from addresses delivered by current or historic leaders, or come up with your own.
Getting the message across
Watch the speech (or interviews). Write your answers or share in groups and discuss with your
class or family.
What is the key message the Mayor is trying to deliver?

3. A New Mayor for Charlotte (again)
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How does he communicate the information?
Does the he read from a piece of paper?
Does he raise or lower his voice or move his hands to illustrate a specific point?
Does he show emotions and expressions? How? Why? When?
Does he look confident? Is he?
How is he dressed? Does this matter?
Is he persuasive? How?
What do you think is the most effective thing the Mayor does to communicate the
information? Least effective?
If you were the Mayor’s advisor, what would you tell him to keep doing? Improve?
Download activity: www.GenerationNation.org/documents/GETTING_MSG_ACROSS_mayor.pdf
A Presidential Comparison
In every level of government, leaders make speeches. Watch or reach an inaugural speech from
the current or a historic president. Compare it with the Mayor’s speech. What is the same?
What is different? Why?
Watch Swearing‐In videos www.inaugural.senate.gov/swearing‐in/videos
Read text http://www.inaugural.senate.gov/swearing‐in/addresses
Wish for America/My Community
The Oath of Office speech gives the Mayor the opportunity to share his vision for Charlotte and
outline how he will be a leader and problem‐solver over the next 2 years. Do you have an idea
for solving a civic problem? How would you make your school, neighborhood, or community a
better place? Make it happen!
Download activity: http://www.generationnation.org/documents/MyWish_andIdeas.pdf

4. A New Mayor for Charlotte
Predict, watch, read and analyze
First, think about the city and mayor, and predict which topics the speech will cover. Then read
or watch the speech.
Make notes and think about what you see –which topics are being covered? Any surprises?
What did you learn? Use the scorecard to keep track, and discuss at home or in the classroom.
Download activity: www.GenerationNation.org/documents/speech_analysis.pdf
Write the headline
After you watch and/or read the speech, think about the media coverage. Pay attention, and
answer these questions. Write your answers or share in groups or with your class or with your
family.
If you were reporting on the Inauguration, what would your headline be?
The next day, read actual headlines. Were you close? Were they right? Why or why not?
Read headlines from different news sources. What do they say? How are they similar or
different? Why?
Download activity: www.GenerationNation.org/documents/Write_headline_mayor.pdf
Write your own speech
A mayor provides a vision and direction for the city. Usually, the speech focuses on “big
picture” goals rather than detailed specifics. It is also a good leadership tool that can help to
communicate key messages as well as motivate and unify leaders and citizens.
As a speechwriter, what do you think the Mayor should say in the speech? Write your own.
Or partner with a speechwriting team in your class to create a new speech using quotes
from addresses delivered by current or historic leaders, or come up with your own.
Getting the message across
Watch the speech (or interviews). Write your answers or share in groups and discuss with your
class or family.
What is the key message the Mayor is trying to deliver?
GenerationNation | www.GenerationNation.org
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5. A New Mayor for Charlotte
How does he communicate the information?
Does the he read from a piece of paper?
Does he raise or lower his voice or move his hands to illustrate a specific point?
Does he show emotions and expressions? How? Why? When?
Does he look confident? Is he?
How is he dressed? Does this matter?
Is he persuasive? How?
What do you think is the most effective thing the Mayor does to communicate the
information? Least effective?
If you were the Mayor’s advisor, what would you tell him to keep doing? Improve?
Download activity: www.GenerationNation.org/documents/GETTING_MSG_ACROSS_mayor.pdf
A Presidential Comparison
In every level of government, leaders make speeches. Watch or reach an inaugural speech from
the current or a historic president. Compare it with the Mayor’s speech. What is the same?
What is different? Why?
Watch Swearing‐In videos www.inaugural.senate.gov/swearing‐in/videos
Read text http://www.inaugural.senate.gov/swearing‐in/addresses
Wish for America/My Community
The Oath of Office speech gives the Mayor the opportunity to share his vision for Charlotte and
outline how he will be a leader and problem‐solver over the next 2 years. Do you have an idea
for solving a civic problem? How would you make your school, neighborhood, or community a
better place? Make it happen!
Download activity: http://www.generationnation.org/documents/MyWish_andIdeas.pdf
GenerationNation | www.GenerationNation.org
11

6.
MAYOR’S SPEECH – PREDICT AND ANALYZE
Before you watch or reach the speech, make predictions about what you think will be covered.
Then, watch and analyze the actual peech.
PREDICTION ANALYSIS
Theme for this
Mayor
Vision for Charlotte
Big ideas/goals
Mayor’s
strengths/challenges
City’s
strengths/challenges
Who is recognized,
thanked, etc.
Quotes from famous
leaders (who, what)
Current events
addressed
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7.
MAYOR’S SPEECH – PREDICT AND ANALYZE
Before you watch or reach the speech, make predictions about what you think will be covered.
Then, watch and analyze the actual peech.
PREDICTION ANALYSIS
Main topics covered
Do you agree that the
topics are important?
Why/ why not?
Is speech effective?
Why or why not?
What did you learn?
What surprised you?
What did you hope
to see that you
didn’t?
What will you
remember about
this speech?
Other comments,
notes and questions
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8.
WRITE THE HEADLINE
Read the mayor’s speech, or watch the video. Pay attention, and answer these questions. Write your answers to
share in groups or with your class or with your family.
If you were reporting on what the mayor said, what would your headline be?
The next day, read actual headlines. Were you close? Were they right? Why or why not?
Read headlines from different news sources. What do they say? How are they similar or different? Why?
SPEECH, ISSUE OR ACTIVITY AND DATE: ______________________________________
MEDIA SOURCE HEADLINE
My Name:
My headline:
Charlotte Observer http://www.charlotteobserver.com
News 14 http://charlotte.news14.com/
WBTV http://www.wbtv.com
WCNC http://www.wcnc.com
WSOC http://www.wsoctv.com/
WFAE http://wfae.org/
WBT http://www.wbt.com/
(OTHER NEWS SOURCES)
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9.
GETTING THE MESSAGE ACROSS
Watch the speech. Write your answers or share in groups, with your class or at home.
What is the key message the leader is trying to deliver?
How does the speaker communicate the information? Does the leader read from a piece of paper?
Does the leader’s voice change (raised or lowered) or hands moved to illustrate a specific point?
Does the speaker show emotions and expressions? How? Why? When?
Does the leader look confident? How?
How is the leader dressed? Does this matter?
Do people pay attention? How?
Is the leader persuasive? How?
What is the most effective thing the leader does to communicate the information? Least effective?
If you were helping the leader to strengthen the speech, what would your suggestions be?
Make copies for each leader, interview, or speech, and compare notes. Do the leaders change their delivery in
different speeches or interviews?
GenerationNation | www.GenerationNation.org | Home of K-12 civic education, Kids Voting, Youth Civics and Youth Voice

10.
GETTING THE MESSAGE ACROSS
Date: Speech or interview:
Leader
Key message
Communication skills
Confidence
Appearance
Do people pay attention
Is the person persuasive?
Most effective
Least effective
GenerationNation | www.GenerationNation.org | Home of K-12 civic education, Kids Voting, Youth Civics and Youth Voice