Thanks for the tips, maybe I can use this through my social marketing and I've been use some crystal block crystal figurines media in getting a traffic and they have really a big benefit on me
Depending on the issues and ages of the students, I believe that social/political protest can be an incredibly powerful educational opportunity for children. The social studies curriculum includes learning how government functions, and an essential component of literacy is to be able to write a persuasive letter supporting one's opinion with facts. It's certainly reasonable for teachers to provide newspaper articles stating the facts about budget cuts or other issues, and for them to ask students to write essays supporting one side or the other. Children could also read a variety of editorials on the issue, and critique the effectiveness of each in supporting the specified viewpoint. I would draw the line at telling students to support one particular viewpoint, such as protesting a school budget cut, as it is not appropriate for teachers to proselytize. Students are perfectly capable of drawing conclusions and forming opinions on their own.
Several years ago, when a school district was trying to shut down a neighborhood school, teachers found creative ways to incorporate this very real issue into the mandated curriculum, without telling the students what to think. The hallways were filled with student-written essays such as "What My School Means To Me", along with drawings of the beautiful, 100+ year old building. Students used their communicative skills in a positive way, with a very clear and personal impact.
Regarding protests involving physical absence from school, it depends on the school's policy about excusing absences. If a parent contacts me in advance that a student will be absent in order to attend a political event, and if the school supports it, I think it's an excellent way to give the child first-hand experience with the political process, especially if the child is able to report back to the class about the activity. In business, when employees travel to professional conferences, they are expected to return with a report stating how the conference will benefit the company and other employees. I expect something similar from a student who visits her mother's workplace on Take Our Daughters To Work Day, or from a child who participates in a Day Without An Immigrant rally. If the students share their experiences with the class, all of the students will learn more about how our society functions.
If the only path to education were in the classroom, we wouldn't spend so much time and effort organizing field trips.
We have experienced major cuts in our district. 26 school closings will take place and many teaching positions will be lost. Some of our students choose to attend the open forums held by the supt. and his committee and some wrote letters. As the actions of district administration and the school board make such a major impact on the students, I believe it is important they are made aware of what is happening and have the opportunity to ask questions and get the answers to those questions. The key as instructors is to provide the most unbiased information possible so that the students can make their own decisions about what they think about a situation and what action they choose to take - whether it is marching protests, "sit-ins" as in the past, or letter writing campaigns.
Until everyone has learned take fiscal responsibility things can only get worse. Being an optimist, I can only believe that all will work out in the end and, as educators, I know that we will do whatever it takes to get the job done and do it right!
This is an ideal opportunity to discuss budgets - how we get the money to pay for things we value and need. Current political discourse often skirts the fact that, while paying taxes is typically abhored, taxes are a necessary "evil." There can be disagreement over the degree we are taxed, who pays and on what the money is spent, and that would be an interesting activity for students and teachers to share.
If we are encouraging critical thinking in the classroom, which I believe we must, students must be allow to protest what is an injustice to them personally. Cuts in education affect both my seniors in high school and my 2-year college students. As instructors it is our duty to encourage these students to voice their opinions on matters related to their futures. I agree with Christine that proposing change, in other words taking a proactive stance, can only strengthen the argument against cuts. As we study argumentation, students learn how to write counterclaims without offending their opponents. This is the perfect exercise for employing that technique in a letter writing campaign or even a sit in.
as a government budget analyst (though not with a school district), i see some of the ridiculous spending and decisions that occur with public dollars. i often wish the public were more aware of the impact their elected leadership makes when they decide where public money goes. if we began informing ourselves, and then our kids, on fiscal choices, we almost certainly would have a louder voice in school spending. savvy protest is far more effective than whining about the situation, but taking no concrete steps to improve it.
I feel that debate for whatyou think is right is always a good thing, but the education budget? Now there's an animal. I have asked many teachers if their students were, cooperative, their environment safe and functional, would they need more money. I'd get the same response every time. NO! We spend more money on education in America than anyplace else and we have one of the poorest performing systems of all of the industrialized nations. Let's allow our stuidents to protest, but let's get them to research the "real problems" with our system, which we all know is not the money, but how we utilize the funds we have. Our students will become better stewards of what will eventually become their responsibility.
Take a lesson from President Obama and sit all parties to school spending - with the students as moderators/facilitators - to hammer out reasonable suggestions and an action timetable for cutting overall cost and improving learning effectiveness, building by building.
Consolidation of purchasing activities, electronic and textbooks on demand instead of purchasing "Texas/California" approved books (see the Rice University example for Chemistry), building a common data base IT application for required reporting to higher levels of government, students from more affluent schools organizing year long reading and homework support efforts for less well funded schools at the elementary level, etc., etc., etc.
Protest if you must but have solutions in hand when you do. Don't just protest since your efforts will be ignored by both the media and politicians.
Apply the students' imagination, creativity and energy. Follow their lead.
Comments (11)
Comment RSSSign in or register to post comments
quality
Thanks for the tips, maybe I can use this through my social marketing and I've been use some crystal block
crystal figurines media in getting a traffic and they have really a big benefit on me
Valuable civics lesson, if done correctly
Depending on the issues and ages of the students, I believe that social/political protest can be an incredibly powerful educational opportunity for children. The social studies curriculum includes learning how government functions, and an essential component of literacy is to be able to write a persuasive letter supporting one's opinion with facts. It's certainly reasonable for teachers to provide newspaper articles stating the facts about budget cuts or other issues, and for them to ask students to write essays supporting one side or the other. Children could also read a variety of editorials on the issue, and critique the effectiveness of each in supporting the specified viewpoint. I would draw the line at telling students to support one particular viewpoint, such as protesting a school budget cut, as it is not appropriate for teachers to proselytize. Students are perfectly capable of drawing conclusions and forming opinions on their own.
Several years ago, when a school district was trying to shut down a neighborhood school, teachers found creative ways to incorporate this very real issue into the mandated curriculum, without telling the students what to think. The hallways were filled with student-written essays such as "What My School Means To Me", along with drawings of the beautiful, 100+ year old building. Students used their communicative skills in a positive way, with a very clear and personal impact.
Regarding protests involving physical absence from school, it depends on the school's policy about excusing absences. If a parent contacts me in advance that a student will be absent in order to attend a political event, and if the school supports it, I think it's an excellent way to give the child first-hand experience with the political process, especially if the child is able to report back to the class about the activity. In business, when employees travel to professional conferences, they are expected to return with a report stating how the conference will benefit the company and other employees. I expect something similar from a student who visits her mother's workplace on Take Our Daughters To Work Day, or from a child who participates in a Day Without An Immigrant rally. If the students share their experiences with the class, all of the students will learn more about how our society functions.
If the only path to education were in the classroom, we wouldn't spend so much time and effort organizing field trips.
We have experienced major cuts in our district. 26 school closings will take place and many teaching positions will be lost. Some of our students choose to attend the open forums held by the supt. and his committee and some wrote letters. As the actions of district administration and the school board make such a major impact on the students, I believe it is important they are made aware of what is happening and have the opportunity to ask questions and get the answers to those questions. The key as instructors is to provide the most unbiased information possible so that the students can make their own decisions about what they think about a situation and what action they choose to take - whether it is marching protests, "sit-ins" as in the past, or letter writing campaigns.
Until everyone has learned take fiscal responsibility things can only get worse. Being an optimist, I can only believe that all will work out in the end and, as educators, I know that we will do whatever it takes to get the job done and do it right!
opportunity
This is an ideal opportunity to discuss budgets - how we get the money to pay for things we value and need. Current political discourse often skirts the fact that, while paying taxes is typically abhored, taxes are a necessary "evil." There can be disagreement over the degree we are taxed, who pays and on what the money is spent, and that would be an interesting activity for students and teachers to share.
If we are encouraging
If we are encouraging critical thinking in the classroom, which I believe we must, students must be allow to protest what is an injustice to them personally. Cuts in education affect both my seniors in high school and my 2-year college students. As instructors it is our duty to encourage these students to voice their opinions on matters related to their futures. I agree with Christine that proposing change, in other words taking a proactive stance, can only strengthen the argument against cuts. As we study argumentation, students learn how to write counterclaims without offending their opponents. This is the perfect exercise for employing that technique in a letter writing campaign or even a sit in.
Propose not protest
There are protests all the time; but maybe we should encourage students to propose changes instead of using placards and picket lines.
Some Action Beats No Action
as a government budget analyst (though not with a school district), i see some of the ridiculous spending and decisions that occur with public dollars. i often wish the public were more aware of the impact their elected leadership makes when they decide where public money goes. if we began informing ourselves, and then our kids, on fiscal choices, we almost certainly would have a louder voice in school spending. savvy protest is far more effective than whining about the situation, but taking no concrete steps to improve it.
Report from March 4th, Day of Action: Voices That Must Be Heard
Our Editorial Director, David Markus, recently wrote a blog from his experience in taking part in the March 4 Day of Action.
It's timely and relevant - take a peek: http://www.edutopia.org/march4-day-of-action-education-reform.
Student Pprotest on Ed Budget
I feel that debate for whatyou think is right is always a good thing, but the education budget? Now there's an animal. I have asked many teachers if their students were, cooperative, their environment safe and functional, would they need more money. I'd get the same response every time. NO! We spend more money on education in America than anyplace else and we have one of the poorest performing systems of all of the industrialized nations. Let's allow our stuidents to protest, but let's get them to research the "real problems" with our system, which we all know is not the money, but how we utilize the funds we have. Our students will become better stewards of what will eventually become their responsibility.
Students Protesting Budget Cuts
Take a lesson from President Obama and sit all parties to school spending - with the students as moderators/facilitators - to hammer out reasonable suggestions and an action timetable for cutting overall cost and improving learning effectiveness, building by building.
Consolidation of purchasing activities, electronic and textbooks on demand instead of purchasing "Texas/California" approved books (see the Rice University example for Chemistry), building a common data base IT application for required reporting to higher levels of government, students from more affluent schools organizing year long reading and homework support efforts for less well funded schools at the elementary level, etc., etc., etc.
Protest if you must but have solutions in hand when you do. Don't just protest since your efforts will be ignored by both the media and politicians.
Apply the students' imagination, creativity and energy. Follow their lead.