Afterschool Constitution - In
many afterschool programs, the adults develop and enforce the rules. In many more programs, rules are
generated through a discussion with the children. Staff then help children rephrase their suggested rules for
the official rules document. Many
programs do rules with kids, and then develop consequences for misbehavior through
group discussion.
Take this a step
further and sneak in some social studies. Print copies
of the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation,
Constitutional Convention, and the US Constitution. Talk with the children about the meaning and relevance of
each.
Announce your idea to create
a “Constitution of the Children’s Choice Afterschool Program” (insert the name
of your program here). The goal is
to capture the flavor of the US Constitution in your program document - “We the
children, in order to form a more awesome program…” Have them write an initial draft and revise it for clear
communication of ideas, and edit it for all writing conventions.
When the final document is complete,
transfer it to a poster board and have a program meeting to review what they
created and agreed to. All
children sign their “John Hancocks.” Take this a step further.
Have kids create a U.S. Bill of Rights My Way! First put each amendment into modern
context, by paraphrasing it using terms that they truly understand. Each amendment is paraphrased in 10
words or less. For Amendment #3 on
the unlawful quartering of soldiers in homes during any time whether in peace
time or war, our kids said, “No soldiers in my crib – never, ever!”
thanks for info!
ReplyDeleteMagnificent piece of writing about afterschool constitution. I have read out your entire blog and understood whatever you have written up about afterschool constitution and I totally appreciate with you. So I hope that each and every after school owner will follow your constitutional process. Gratitude for your wonderful post.
ReplyDelete