Students in kindergarten through 4th grade participated in a Constitution Day Project last week: Island Society Constitution
Students had to imagine they were shipwrecked on a deserted island with 100 fellow students. There are no teachers or adults. Their challenge was to create a stable society where everyone has enough food, there are no fights over resources, and everyone works together toward one goal: rescue. They'll need to draft an island society constitution.
Students worked in groups to consider the following questions:
How will the group make decisions about important issues on the island?
Will there be a single leader or a committee to make sure that decisions are carried out?
What will happen if someone is unfairly treated?
What if someone is accused of breaking island rules?
What steps should be taken to ensure that those in power do not abuse it?
Are there rights that should be guaranteed in the constitution? Which ones?
If it became necessary, how can the constitution be amended?
Next, the groups wrote a one-page list of proposed articles. This is the draft of the constitution. Students presented it to the class. They were guided by the teacher to defend the articles or make compromises when needed. Finally, they had to take a class vote on each article.
The projects will be displayed in our hallways for a few weeks.
