ASPIRE Constitution

Last week the ASPIRE 5 students simulated the Constitutional Convention by creating a constitution of their own.  The task was simply to write policies and procedures for the future ASPIRE 5 classes.  Each group selected three topics such as lunch, independent research, or technology.  Every group also had to write at least three entries for our ASPIRE Bill of Rights.  Their policies could only pass if three fourths of the class approved them.  If they were not approved, the groups were required to revise and edit them until they eventually passed.  While this was a fictional constitution, I told the students that if I thought the ideas were exceptional, I would implement them for the remainder of the year.

The students were very passionate about this simulation.  First, no one presented ideas that were unrealistic such as 5 hours of recess per day.  They understood that silly policies would not pass, and they did not want to have to revise and edit all of their work.  Next, the collaboration I witnessed was very significant.  Groups shared and voted on ideas until they reached an agreement, and were respectful of different opinions.  During the voting stage, students were not afraid to tell the presenting groups how they could make adjustments to the bills that would improve them.  Most of the bills passed on the first try, as the policies were reasonable and different from what is currently in place.

I think this was a successful activity because the students learned about compromise in politics naturally.  They experienced on a small scale what the members of the Constitution Convention had to do to establish the government we still have over 200 years later.  It was an authentic learning experience that allowed the students to leave a legacy and a lasting document that could impact future ASPIRE 5 classes for years to come.  They felt empowered and were motivated by an opportunity to create change, even if most of it was hypothetical in the end.  When they come back to visit Glenhope five years from now, maybe I will be able to tell them how we still use their idea to this day.  What a great feeling that would be.