Kids can co-create their classroom constitution
Young children have both responsibilities and rights in school – a place where they are developing socially, emotionally and intellectually – for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.
But do they know what their rights and responsibilities are?
The students’ upper elementary classroom can acquaint them in a unique way with the concepts of cooperation, community, collaboration when they co-create a social contract – of rights and responsibilities) a constitution that they then agree to follow during the school year.
During the lesson the teacher (and motivated by the teaching civics plus the hope of a harmonious classroom) can encourage kids to debate how they want others to act and how they agree to act in their school environment. They can assess what is fair, what makes them happy and how much freedom they can expect in school, as well as basic concepts of democracy.
This 2-3 period lesson helps children develop communication and critical thinking skills in the process. It can have a ripple effect through the entire school.
Included here (for free) is:
a slide show including a game called Civic Jeopardy ("I'll take Freedom for $200")
a redrafting of the NYCDoE Bill of Rights and Responsibilities for K-12 (interpreted by.our student team for upper elementary students) plus
a companion guide for the elementary grade teacher (3-5) and her class to help them arrive at their constitution, compiled by and affirmed by all.
Note: the teacher and school may edit the Rights and Responsibilities we provide as they see fit by emailing us for permission and access.
This lesson works best in states with developed civic education standards.
Miles, 17, came up with the Civic Jeopardy Game which Raquel designed above. Its included in the slideshow.
Here’s our team of 8-17 year olds in NYC, including David, Lizzy, Raquel, Bilal, Dina and Miles (missing is Livi) was facilitated by DK Holland of Inquiring Minds, this interactive project works well in states that acknowledge student rights.
Go directly to the complete slideshow, the teacher’s guide. and the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities to see this lesson – created by kids for kids – with the help of adult classroom education experts.
Raquel, 16, designed the slideshow, Bilal, 15 was in charge of the Teacher’s Guide. David and Miles both 17 both worked on the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities below. Our advisors, ages 8-14 helped make these tools kid friendly. .
