Creating a Class Constitution: Student Agency in Action

Abstract

In this curriculum unit, students will look critically at different aspects of the Constitution, including the language, the authors, those who are explicitly included, and those who are discreetly excluded from the verbiage. We will discuss what it would look like to write an inclusive Constitution for our class, our school, and possibly the nation. What would it look like to include ALL human beings in our society, regardless of race, gender identity, size, religion, ability, or any other category? I want the students to determine this for themselves. My hope is that within this unit we can analyze the constitution. Then I would like to hold a roundtable discussion, possibly over a few days, where students talk about their initial thoughts. Eventually I would like this discussion to lead to one where we talk about what framing a constitution for our class would entail. As we learn more about government and its functions, we can discuss changing our initial constitution and the importance of creating amendments when we learn more about what we need as a class. We will utilize the same voting and majority regulations that it would take to pass a constitutional amendment. I think this will be a stimulating experiment to explore how a nation must come to some form of consensus within a democracy in order to change foundational documents.
At the end of this school year, students should feel empowered to hold a thoughtful microscope to any historical events we cover. I also want them to hold that lens up to their own world, and to speak up about changes that they want to see. This unit and this year should not only teach them about the past events of our country, but how their voice and their power can help to shape
the future of this country.