Writing our Classroom Constitution - direct democracy in action

Greeting + Calendar Circle + share homework civic holiday memories. Teacher: 'Today we WRITE our own classroom constitution. We are going to PROPOSE rules, DISCUSS, VOTE, and SIGN them.'

• Unfurl MG-10 anchor with ceremony
• Display the 'We the Kids of Room ___' preamble from lesson 3
• Distribute ballot cubes

Today is BIG. We've learned what a CITIZEN is (lesson 2), how to VOTE (lesson 4), what RULES and LAWS are (lesson 6), and we've met citizen-heroes like Rosa Parks and Ruby Bridges. Today WE the kids of Room ___ write OUR constitution. Step 1: PROPOSE rules. Step 2: DISCUSS each. Step 3: VOTE on each. Step 4: COUNT. Step 5: ANNOUNCE which rules make it into our constitution. Then we'll SIGN the constitution (handprint or signature) as our commitment. Finally, we'll PROPOSE one civic-action mini-project the class will do this term (recycling system, schoolyard fairness, helper-letters, playground inclusion, etc.).

• Notice every voice on the chart. Now we DISCUSS.

  model Teacher captures every proposal verbatim - even silly ones. 'No yelling' / 'Help when someone's sad' / 'Take turns with materials' / 'Use kind words' / 'Listen when others speak' / 'Walk in the hallway' / 'Clean up your own spot' / 'Welcome new classmates' / 'Try your best' / 'Say sorry when you hurt someone.'

  prompt Brainstorm 8-10 proposed classroom rules.
• Each child has equal voice. That's DIRECT DEMOCRACY.

  model Use the 5-step routine. Each child gets 5 votes (cubes) to spread across proposed rules.

  prompt DISCUSS each proposed rule. Vote for the top 5-7 to include in the constitution.
• You're not just agreeing - you're COMMITTING.

  model Each child places handprint OR signature in a signature circle at the bottom of MG-10.

  prompt SIGN the constitution.
• Now we have a CIVIC ACTION we'll DO this term.

  model Teacher offers 3 pre-vetted options (e.g., classroom recycling system / playground-fairness posters / thank-you letters to community helpers). Class votes.

  prompt Propose civic-action mini-project (3 options); vote on one.

• What is one rule that made it into OUR Constitution?
• What is our CIVIC ACTION mini-project?

M-1-S-CIV-09-A Chart

MG-10 36x48 inch parchment-style laminated chart titled 'OUR CLASSROOM CONSTITUTION' with a preamble line ('We the children of Room ___, in order to make a fair and kind classroom, do agree to these rules:') and 7 numbered rule-slots. Signature circle at bottom for handprints/signatures of all class members. Today the rules are filled in via class vote.

• Each child votes on their top-5 proposed rules using 5 ballot cubes.

  scaffold Color-coded cubes; visual rule-cards
• Each child handprints OR signs the constitution.

  scaffold Sign with adult-helped fine-motor support
• Each child votes for their preferred civic-action option.

  scaffold 3-option picture card

M-1-S-CIV-09-B Manipulative Physical / non-image

30+ ballot cubes color-coded per child; 1 ballot box per group; 5 cubes per child for top-rules vote. Multi-color sticker assignment for tracking. Tallying chart for live count.

M-1-S-CIV-09-C Chart

36x18 inch chart with 3 illustrated civic-action options: A) classroom recycling system (3 bins icon); B) playground-fairness posters (3 children sharing icon); C) thank-you letters to community helpers (envelope + helper icons). Each option has space for tally marks.

• Name 2 rules in our Constitution AND our civic action project.

• Mount MG-10 in place of honor
• Plan first civic-action mini-project step for week 11
• Preview: tomorrow we zoom OUT from our classroom to PLANET EARTH

M-1-S-CIV-09-D Photograph

Top-down photo of completed Classroom Constitution with all 7 voted rules + all child handprints/signatures around the bottom. Preserved on Wall of Civic Actions. One copy taken home with each child for caregiver review.

• Tonight, tell a family member ONE rule from our Constitution AND our civic-action project. Bring their reaction tomorrow.