The Classroom Pledge: Teaching Democracy in School

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Learn about teaching democracy in school, in this 1:52 minute long video lesson.
The classroom pledge helps create learning and behavior standards by allowing students to set their own classroom rules.

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If I were a teacher, at least for my classes I would let the students decide how they want the teaching to be and also I would split half class for the academics and the better half for their personality development and creative work. I would take that decision on my own n prove it ll give better results.

praveenudayakumar
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I feel that this video leaves out the need for understanding cause and effect ie if you break the pledge, there are negative repercussions that the whole group is at least aware of or take part in deciding on

UndulatingOlive
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It is a great idea and similar the idea of being aware of your emotions. Making a consensus decision to name and shame or fame different behavior is a great type of social manipulation.

This only work though, if the children doesn't hate their teacher. If they don't want to be good for the teacher, then the pledge is meaningless.

The children need to monitor and gossip about each other's behavior for it to work to. Other classes without the pledge can interact with them, because the polite class will be beaten up. Evil prays on goodness.

jakobjrgensen
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Heres the thing, they will write down what they think what you expect them write.
Fot exampls, if the student wants to make a rule about using the toilet in the middle of the class he is most likely to write that toilet during class should be banned.
If a student rebels against the norm, you can say that he is a true leader as he isn't necessarily following anyone, he is just making his own ideas flourish

maindepth
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Isn't this setting up a dangerous precedent for later in life? Shouldn't we be teaching kids to question everything -- not just make up rules to blindly and obediently follow (no questions asked)?

I think teaching the "golden rule" should be emphasized throughout all levels of education, especially early education -- do unto others as you would have them do you. For some people, this may be their only moral compass which hopefully guides their behavior and maybe helps develop empathy. But to develop a set of rules could be seen as some kind of unwavering doctrine which doesn't sit well with me, particularly when anyone might not be able to participate in the rule making process. (Being absent or even passive personalities are just two types of people who might get "rail-roaded" where "rules" are concerned.)

Personally, I think there should be at least 2 "levels" of rules; hard and soft. A hard rule might be one that states the teacher is the final authority of what goes on in the classroom -- but not necessarily absolute. An example of a "soft" rule might be deciding when to take naps or who gets to lead a discussion. It must also be emphasized that anyone can always object too. Because no rule should ever be so blindly and obediently followed without question. There might even be a third level (maybe the first) whereby the very rule making "process" might better be defined as well. Perhaps coming up with some sort of Constitution that defines circumstances and helps clarify what can not be prohibited might be an even better model. If you ask me, "rules" should primarily be made to help clarify or reinforce responsibility -- not necessarily prohibit expression or curtail rights.

We should never teach or imply that a person is powerless and has no voice -- especially children. Telling anyone that they must always obey rules can be dangerous. For a child, this type of mindset can even invite predators where almost any adult might be seen as an authority and therefore must be obeyed. But at the same time, we should always reinforce the fact that we live in a society where not just rules but also traditions and even laws should be taken into consideration. I'm not so sure coming up with more sets of rules isn't somehow browbeating kids and/or creating a culture of unquestioning adherence. Very simply, I don't think developing rules is such a good idea if the end goal is simply and obviously to compel one's obedience. Nothing in life is absolute without a possibility for change -- not even rules. And I think THAT should be the lesson/message.

...Just to be clear. Breaking rules may sometimes be necessary in order to change them. Yet, at the same time, it might not be such a good idea to try and change a rule without a very good reason to do so. There should only be a few hardened rules that prohibit disorder and violence as almost no injustice requires disruption or violent behavior -- almost! Disruption and violence should be the absolute last alternatives to divorcing one's self from what might very well be a bad rule, law or tradition. And in a school setting, I really don't see how disruption or violence could solve anything. Nevertheless, it does bear mentioning since no one can predict the future nor the solutions people/students might eventually find themselves in need of.

WXSEDY
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Hi! can you tell me how to make this kind of video (i.e. what do I need to make such videos)?

mathwithmainul
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Or better yet, ditch the classroom altogether

jakub.kubicek
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What happened to children simply learning to be obedient? How did we ever become successful adults when we were not allowed to run the show in our formative years? The rules were explained to us and we obeyed them, simple. Why should children make their own rules? My friend's grandchild was allowed to do just that in the home and what a little horror she is now, aged 11. She is a different child in school where she is not allowed to rule the roost. We need to remember that children, while we need to listen to their opinions etc do not have the experience to run their own lives. They go to school to expand on the learning they should have started at home.

annemariemchugh
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