Democracy in the Classroom
In a recent classroom conversation about democracy, students voiced their thoughts and ideas about whether democracy has a place in school. Although the students overwhelmingly felt that they SHOULD have some say so in decision making, many didn’t understand what a school where students played an active role in the education process would LOOK like. They tossed around ideas and issues that directly affected them, and methods for involvement. When I asked the class why they believed more students didn’t take an active role in speaking out, the students unanimously expressed concerns of consequences, apathy, and other punitive based fears. Further discussion about how this failure to speak out translated into the larger world: especially with issues of race, gender, and violence, provided an epiphany for the entire class. What are the ramifications if we DON’T exercise our rights? Does democracy require courage? Why? These are the questions I left them with.
Following are some of their reactions, responses, and a potential platform: cafeteria food.
I think democracy is important because kids should be able to say something, too. We should get to vote about the food and other things going on at school. I would like to say that the food at school should change because a lot of students say that it is nasty. But that doesn’t happen because maybe enough students haven’t gotten together and talked to the principal. I think he would listen if we all wrote a letter and gave him some ideas. We could tell him ways to change the food. I think that more students need to learn about democracy so that they can make changes.
-- Danny Castillo
I think this school has lots of drama. If there wasn’t so much drama it would be a nicer school. So many people don’t realize that when you grow up it’s not going to be so easy. Life is not to play with. School is not to play with either. School is to learn and you should love the schools you go to. Appreciate what you have and don’t have. If the school had less fighting and less messing with each other it would be a safer school. Kids should stop worrying about other people’s clothes, shoes, hair, face, and most of all the things they do. If people left each other alone, we wouldn’t have to worry about a person bringing a gun or knife to school for revenge. I don’t have to worry about someone bringing a gun to school because I am minding my own business.
-- Dominique Malone
Here are my thoughts about democracy in schools. I think that some adults don’t want kids to have democracy. Democracy lets people ask questions even about things they don’t like. In a school everybody, even students, could talk for themselves. Also, people can stand up for themselves. If kids don’t have democracy they won’t stand up for themselves. Like I want to tell someone that the food at this school is nasty. I haven’t told anyone because I think that I’ll get in trouble or no one will listen. Is this really a democracy?
-- Hector Navarro
Hi. My name is Geena and I think we should have democracy so we can have a happier school. Here are some reasons why we should have democracy. We should be able to vote for a student teacher or not, to vote if we get a sub or not, and vote for the food we would like to eat. Here are some more things that we should vote for like an assigned play area, to move to another room, or if we want to keep the stuff from our room. Another thing is we can vote for which yard people we want because sometimes we in trouble for no reason. Without democracy kids use their anger on other kids. The kids then feel like they have no rights or power. That’s why I feel democracy is important. Do you?
-- Geena
Dear Mr. Huling,
I am writing this letter on behalf of Ms. Gray’s 4th grade class. I want to ask you if we can talk with you about our food in the cafeteria. We feel that the food does not taste good, and so some kids don’t eat it. We would like to meet with you to discuss some suggestions we have sometime soon, please.
Your friend and student,
Destiny Willis
