Sign the Petition Please!

Bringing about change isn't easy.  Often a lot of leg work is involved and when that leg work is being done by a 10 year old it may seem even more daunting.

Background Information: It was a school tradition for over 18 years that the entire fourth grade participated in a Shakespearean play.  Last year, due to many different factors, the fourth grade team decided to try something different.  This change was met with mixed emotions (as change often does).

Current Situation: As we make our way towards the end of the school year, one of my students started discussing the "Fourth Grade Play" with her sister (who had been in a production of "Julius Caesar" several years before).  It seems that my student wanted to "Bring back the Fourth Grade Play".  Her sister suggested she start a petition.

The petition was then created and over a several day period the student collected over 84 signatures.  Fourth graders, third and fifth graders alike signed their names to the document.  (Even a staff member signed the petition.)  The day finally came when my student asked if she could present the paper to the principal.  I asked her to write our principal a letter stating what she was hoping to accomplish and attach it to the petition.  She did so and brought the letter and petition to the office.

The Discussion:  She came back with her hand over her heart saying "I'm so sick to my stomach, I can hardly breathe!"  It seems that she was worried that she was going to get in trouble for organizing this action.  She stated that some kids even erased their name from the petition for fear of being reprimanded. 

After calming down my student, we spoke about how this was a wonderful way to exercise her 'right to petition'.  Since we had just learned about Martin Luther King, connections of using peaceful methods to bring about change were made.  I assured her that she and her friends were not going to get in trouble and that this is how people bring about change in government and other areas.

The Outcome: Sometimes, even with a petition, the change we hope to bring about doesn't necessarily happen. This was to be the case for my fourth grader and her friends.  However, what DID happen was that the principal came to each fourth grade classroom and told the students how impressed and proud he was of their efforts.  He also explained how students shouldn't be afraid to make their voices heard and that they shouldn't be afraid to stand up for what they believe.


Even though the kids didn't receive the outcome they wanted, I think they were satisfied that their endeavor was taken seriously and proud of themselves for trying.

On Another Note:  In June these fourth grade students will participate in an activity called "Night at the Museum".  Students will research an historical figure and write a script about the life of that figure from their point of view.  They will wear a costume and perform their script.  It's a magical evening for students and their families.

Whether it's a Shakespearean play or a Night at the Museum the students will be afforded an opportunity to learn through drama and participate in an activity that they will remember for years to come.

RESOURCES:
Right to Petition the Government: From Learning to Give which has "resources that teach giving and civic engagement".

How to Write a Petition: This site provides information on "identifying your target, proper research, clear communication and how you will promote your petition."

Online Petition:  Start your petition online for free.

Why Use Drama in Education:  DramaEd.net states and gives examples how "drama accomplishes many educational goals."

Have your students created petitions?  What was the outcome?  How have you guided them in their efforts?  Please share your experiences in the comment section.

Citizenship Starts Early

At the start of each new school year my students are introduced to a lesson in Citizenship.  This lesson will lay the groundwork as we work together to establish rules in our classroom. 

made with Doodlebuddy

Here are some definitions which help students understand this often-confusing term.  The highlighted definition will be the focus of instruction this year.

"Citizenship" as defined by Dictionary.com:  

 noun:  1. the state of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen.

            2. the character of an individual viewed as a member by society; behavior in terms of the duties, obligations and functions of a citizen.

Students will be introduced (via a Smartboard Notebook lesson) to the following 5 categories that help define citizenship; Respect, Fairness, Caring, Responsibility,  and Honesty (categories based on information provided by the Scott Foresman Social Studies, 'Regions' text.)

While there are numerous resources available to teach character education/citizenship in our classrooms (see below),  my GOAL this year is to take that lesson further than the classroom and expand it to our community in an effort to show what a difference good citizenship makes.  In this instance, there is no better way to learn than by doing!  It has been my experience that children love to help and be a part of something bigger.  (See my post about The Generation Changing the World for an example.)

I'm looking for your suggestions, ideas and resources about how to incorporate Respect, Fairness, Caring, Responsibility, and Honesty with my pupils in relation to the general public.  What do you think would be an activity that would be beneficial to both?  Please share via the Answer Garden at the bottom of this post or in the comment section!  Thank you!

RESOURCES TO SUPPLEMENT CURRICULUM:
Good Character:  A great resource for guiding questions and activities on all of the above areas and more.  It is broken into categories such as K-3; 4-8; K-5 (offers some pages in Spanish).

Respect Song via Youtube: (see below)



The Six Pillars of Character:  A youtube video, mostly text and music, sharing ideas about Citizenship (geared for older children).

Inspirational Quotes:  These quotes for Character Education by Leah Davies, M.Ed., can be used in a variety of ways.

Children's Book List:  compiled by Lane Public Library for the Hamilton Schools,  and categorized by age: K-6; Middle School; High School then further broken into categories (respect; responsibility, etc.)

Characters of Character Online Games: Play games with Warm-Hearted Walrus, Manners Monkey & other friends to learn about Character Education. Although the characters look young they have lots of big concepts to share. Read this review!

Citizen Power: An interactive website that provides information about basic citizenship.  Although this is a UK site there are other features that are appropriate for children everywhere.

 

I look forward to learning new ways and ideas on expanding Citizenship beyond the classroom walls.


How can I involve my students to help in their community?... at AnswerGarden.ch.

The Generation Changing the World

How does one decide that they want to change the world?  Especially when that "one" is an elementary student.  Is she sitting in class one day daydreaming and thinkng “Hey, I think I’ll save the rainforests?”  Or is she eating dinner one night and say to a parent, “Hey, I think I’ll save the whales?”

Whatever it is that drives an individual or group of individuals to go beyond the scope of their own small universe, it doesn’t really matter.  All that matters is that they want to make a ‘difference’ (just like the star thrower in Loren Eiseley’s inspirational story. 

It intrigues me more when I hear about young people who set out to change the world.  From a young girl selling lemonade to raise money to find a cure for neuroblastoma to a  young man inventing a fool-proof communication device for people who are blind, there are children who don’t realize how their efforts are far-reaching.

Just recently three students at our school decided that they didn’t like hearing about whales being hunted.  They heard about an organization call the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.  The Society's mission is to "end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.” The girls just felt they needed to help!

So, they made posters to hang in the school and then they made bracelets to be given out for a donation of $1.00.  Along with the bracelet, each person who gave a donation was given a ticket.  The ticket was for a drawing for a pillow.  The girls’ efforts raised more than $150.00 to their cause. ($520.00 as of 3/6/11)!

More than raising money – the effort and initiative to work towards a cause that one believes in, should be applauded.  It is comforting to know that a new generation is ready for the challenge of caring for others and caring for the world.

I salute these fifth grade students, Sophia, Lindsey & Grace for being a part of that new generation!

(This video was created by my daughter before I explained creative commons - so please forgive any infractions.)