Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE
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Purpose:
Duration:
One Forty-Five Minute Class Period, once or twice a month, throughout the semester
Objectives:
The learner will:
- analyze problems and develop proposed solutions.
- evaluate the merits of proposed solutions.
Service Experience:
The final creation of a list of rules that will govern students' own behavior within the classroom community.
Materials:
Final Assignment: Evaluating Classroom Rules (Attachment One)
Instructional Procedure(s):
- Anticipatory Set:
How should people change rules they believe are wrong?
- Approximately two weeks after the class rules are voted upon, the students should bring their first journal entries to class. A classroom meeting should be conducted on the success of the rules. A list of problems, if any, should be generated through the discussion.
- Each class should elect a representative to a classroom council. The elected representative for each class is responsible for presenting the list of problems to the council. The council should meet shortly after the class meetings to develop proposed solutions to the problems.
- At the next class meeting, council members should present the proposed solutions in the form of an amendment to the rules. The proposed amendment(s) should be debated and voted on by each class. If the amendment passes in a majority of the classes, the rules should be amended to reflect the approved changes.
- Class meetings should be conducted every two or three weeks or as needed.
Assessment:
- At the end of the semester the students will be assigned an essay (see Attachment One) in which they will be asked to do the following:
- Explain the relationship between rights and rules in a society.
- Identify at least two specific rules created by the class, explain which rights those rules were intended to protect, and analyze whether or not the rules where successful in protecting those rights.
- Suggest future changes that would make the class rules more successful in protecting rights.
Lesson Developed and Piloted by:
Kathleen LingMt. Pleasant Public Schools
Mt. Pleasant High School
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Final Assignment: Evaluating Classroom Rules
Requirements for final essay evaluating the class's experience in writing and monitoring classroom rules:1. The essay must include the following:
A. At least one paragraph explaining the relationship between individual student rights and the creation of classroom rules. The paragraph should include an explanation of why rules are needed to protect rights.2. Parts A and C of the essay will be worth 25% each. Part B will be worth 50%.B. Identification of at least two specific rules created by the class with a discussion of which rights the rules were intended to protect and an analysis of whether or not the rules where successful in the protecting those rights. Include a discussion of any changes that may have been made in the rule during the course of the semester. This section must include at least two paragraphs: one for each of the rules being discussed.
C. At least one suggestion for future changes in class rules that would make them more successful in protecting rights. This section must be at least one paragraph.
In order to receive full credit for each section, the directions must be followed clearly and completely.
Unit Contents:
Overview:Creating Student-Generated Classroom Rules Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Rights and Responsibilities of Students (The)
- 2.
- Creating Proposed Classroom Rules
- 3.
- Voting on the Classroom Rules
- 4.
- Monitoring the Classroom Rules
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