Street Law Program Engages Azerbaijan’s Youngest Citizens
ABA-Azerbaijan has successfully expanded its USAID-supported Street Law Program to target its youngest audience ever: third-graders. Using games, group activities, and interactive methods, law students are now teaching eight- and nine year-olds about their basic legal rights and respect for the rule of law. This expansion is expected to greatly increase program’s impact by working with youngsters during a critical point in their development.
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In the Third Grade Program, students often work in groups, as it encourages open discussion about their opinions and ideas. Here, students are working together to identify the similarities and differences between moral rules and legal rules.
Photo credit: ABA CEELI |
The curriculum for the Third Grade Program was created by a team of legal experts, psychologists, and experienced Street Law trainers. Together, the group crafted lessons that distill sophisticated legal concepts and present them in a fun and engaging manner. They also developed a special training program to prepare selected law students to teach the adapted subject matter and work with young children.
Through the Street Law Program, third grade students will explore issues such as the effect of rules on communities; comparing moral rules and legal rules; a child’s right to education; what it means to be treated equally under the law; balancing free speech and respect for the opinions of others; and, the consequences of taking something from others without asking (i.e., violations of property rights).
In elementary schools across Azerbaijan, students are not accustomed to being asked to share their personal opinions or to play learning games. When the Street Law classes began, many students, despite their interest in the subject matter, were hesitant to speak freely or to play an active role in the lesson. Street Law trainers have found that careful praise, combined with activities that encourage open discussion (such as group projects in which one student is selected to speak for the group), has been successful in increasing students’ participation. Meanwhile, Street Law staff members have noted that the law student trainers are continually improving their ability to present legal information in basic terms and to effectively utilize interactive teaching methodologies.
The Street Law Program now includes over 100 third-graders in five Baku schools. Classes are led by nine law students, who were specially selected and trained for this program. The ABA Street Law Program was established in 2004.
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