Who-Am-I? : What are my rights? - Week 7
Do I Have Rights At School?

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Picture by Mattia (11) from Italy , 2002

Discussion Questions

1. What do you like best about your school?
2. Who is your favorite teacher? What makes this teacher very special for you?
3. Do you think school uniforms are a good idea? Is there a dress code in your school? Are you happy with it?
4. What time do classes start at your school? Are there classes on Saturday?
5. What kind of yearly schedule do you have for school? What month does it start; when does it end?
6. What are your favorite courses in school? What is your least favorite class?
7. In the upper classes do you get to choose your own course of study?
8. Do you have personal space in school such as a school locker for your coats and school bags?
9. Do you stay in one classroom all day long, or do you move from classroom to classroom for different subjects?
10. Are you with kids who are the same age as you are the whole day? Is it best to have all kids the same age together or to mix ages in classes?
11. What subjects would you like to be taught that are not offered in your school? Do you have something to say about how and what is taught in your school?
12. Do teachers listen to you? Do students participate in the decisions within your school that directly affect kids?
13. Are parents involved in your schooling? Are they invited to visit your school? Do parents volunteer to help in your schools?
14. Is multicultural education a part of your curriculum? How do you think you should be taught about other cultures?
15. What kinds of provisions are made to help those new to your school and your country learn your language while still keeping their own cultural identity?
16. Are there tests in your school system that all students must pass? Do these bring stress to students?
17. Do you feel that mistakes are allowed in your school? What kind of mistakes are allowed and what are not? What are the consequences when you make a mistake? Do you think the rules are fair?
18. How do you feel in school? Is it a happy place to be? It is stressful? Are students kind to each other? How do you want your schoolmates to treat you? How do you think that you should treat them?
19. Do you feel that you are challenged to think? Are you learning things that have meaning for you? Is your school helping you with all your educational needs?
20. How would education without school be planned? Do parents in your country have 'homeschooling' for their kids?
21. Adults decide that you should go to school. Is it the right decision for you? Why?

Classroom Activities

1. Work in groups in class and describe the "ideal school." Join other classes on Kidlink's Chat Network and present your school to them. Draw a picture of your ideal school.
2. Write a journal for a typical day at your school. Each student notes what they are doing every hour on the hour for one whole day.
3. Read what others say about their schools. Tell them what you think about their school and ask for clarification about things you don't understand. Is there something in the schools that others have that you don't have? Would you like to have it?
4. Write a haiku that tells your principal one thing you would like to have in your school but you don't have. Illustrate your haiku using your favorite medium.
5. Read the Math Anxiety Bill of Rights and compose your own bill of rights for any subject in school.

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