Creating a young people's Bill of Responsibilities
Abstract
While studying citizenship, sixth-grade students at Marathon Elementary School in Marathon, Wisconsin, produced a Bill of Responsibilities — addressed to themselves, their parents, and their country. This effective practice reproduces the students' bill. The project was a runner-up in the Promise of Tomorrow Contest, sponsored by a national insurance company, winning the school $500.00, and was highlighted in the Fall 2002 issue of The American Promise, a newsletter for educators that accompanies the video series for teaching citizenship and democracy.
Issue
Teaching citizenship to elementary school students in a way that makes the subject meaningful and real.
Action
The following steps were taken to study citizenship in the sixth grade classroom at Marathon Elementary School in Marathon, Wisconsin:
- Students were given mini-lessons on what it means to be a citizen, what is freedom, and what is responsibility.
- Students worked in small groups to come up with their own "bill of responsibility."
- The class then worked together to come to a consensus, which included much focused discussion on the meanings of words such as "honesty," "respect," and "listening."
- Students role played scenarios such as sitting on local government and student councils and taking sides to an issue that was posed by their teacher.
- Students were given the chance to attend school board, village board, and county board meetings.
- The student written Bill of Responsibilities is as follows:
To my country, my parents and myself -- that I may:
Be honest.
Take care of family members.
Take care of the elderly.
Follow the rules.
Do not fight.
Do not steal.
Be able to work in groups.
Listen.
Get my work done.
Do not cheat on tests.
Achieve all that I can.
Have fun, but don't get carried away.
Respect others and their rights.
Respect my elders and my friends.
Do not destroy other people's property.
Help those in need.
Treat others as I want to be treated.
Bear arms, but do not use them in a destructive or angry way.
Do not use toxic chemicals.
Spare animal life.
Only shoot if needed.
If I cut a tree, plant a seed.
Do not pollute.
Context
The school district of Marathon is located in a rural area of central Wisconsin. The district is made up of the village of Marathon, the town of Marathon, and portions of the towns of Berlin, Cassel, Emmet, Hamberg, Mosinee, Rib Falls, and Stettin all located in Marathon County. The district has a total of 110 square miles with about 1,000 residents.
Outcome
Students explored issues of citizenship and were given a chance to observe local government in action.
From their Bill of Responsibilities, many environmental issues emerged. Consequently, students took part in community projects such as picking up trash in ditches, cleaning up local parks, helping neighbors clean their yards, and planting trees.
Evidence
The project was a runner-up in a Promise of Tomorrow Contest, sponsored by a national insurance company, winning the school $500.00.
Posted On
December 5, 2002For More Information
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