Class Rules Group Project:
Purpose: The Class Rules Group Project is
designed to do two things. First it is to create rules for the class to
abide by, with the overall goal ultimately being to create a positive learning
environment. Secondly, it is to give an introduction to legislative
process. That process is described below. For general questions
about the Class Rules, click
here. Additionally, this project
will introduce students to some key vocabulary: constituency, due
process, constitutionality, equal protection, ratify, modify, propositions,
veto, judicial review, and amendments. Step 1 -
Gathering Opinion Students will read some sample
class rules and perform a forced-choice exercise with them (in which they must
decide if they are for or against any particular rules). Students will
discuss pros and cons of each proposal. Step 2 - Learning About
Legal Hierarchies Using California's Proposition
187 or Colorado's Amendment 2 (Romer vs. Evans) the class will examine the way
in which "unconstitutional" laws are passed, implemented, and challenged.
Specific links to these laws may be found at the following:
Colorado's
Amendment 2 (Romer vs. Evans)
California's Proposition 187
When reading these articles (or other articles on these
examples of judicial review), keep in mind the following basic questions:
(1) Why were these two laws passed initially? In other words, what did the
proponents of these laws seek to accomplish? (2) How were these laws
passed? How is it that they became law? What was the process whereby they
were "made legal"? (3) How and why were these two laws negated? Pay
special attention to the underlying principles on which the laws were rejected
as well as the process whereby they were taken off the books. Step 3 - Learning About Pre-Existing Law
Students will examine District Policies which govern them and may influence
their own lawmaking. These policies may be found at the following link:
OUHSD Board Policies. Classroom discussion of Board Policies
will focus on: 6154 -
Homework
(both pages)
5121 -
Evaluation of
Student Achievement (Grading Policy) -
pp. 1 - 4 are all that is required for class *
5141.21 -
School
(Student) Publications (all three pages)
5145.12 - Search and
Seizure
(pages 1 - 3, skip p. 4, read Canine Search pages 5 and 6) NOT Required in
the Quarter System. *
5145.3 -
Discrimination (first three pages only)
5145.7 - Sexual
Harassment (first three pages only) NOT Required in the Quarter System. Step 4 - Forming Constituencies
Students will form groups of 6 or 7 people. These will be known as
"Constituent Groups". Normally these will be formed of groups of friends.
Within each "Constituent Group" each student will chose a section of class law
(as outlined by the teacher) to focus on. Step 5 - Crafting Legal
Proposals - Creating a First Draft Students will then form "Legislative
Groups". Each "Legislative Group" will craft a legal proposal for the
class concerning that section of classroom law. "Legislative Groups" will
write up their proposals and make ample copies of them (enough for everyone in
the class, including the teacher) which will be distributed in the "Constituent Groups"
for discussion. Revisions, if needed, will be made in a final round in the
"Legislative Groups". Step 6 - Campaigning
Students will discuss and debate and campaign through "Constituent Group" and class discussion to get
their law proposals passed. Step 7 - Voting
Each "Legislative Group" will distribute then produce ballots with the full text
of their proposed law on them. Beside each element of their proposed laws
will be a box or spot in which to indicate "Accept" or "Reject" - clearly
marked. One copy of each set of laws will be made and distributed to all
students in class with an additional copy for the teacher. Secret Ballot votes will be taken. The
teacher cannot vote.
Passage requires 2/3 majority. Votes will be counted and re-counted.
Step 8 - Veto and Override The teacher may veto any
rule he does not approve of. The class may override the veto with 100%
approval. Step 9 - Publication The
teacher will type up all the adopted class rules and publish them so each member
of the class has a copy for reference purposes. Step 10 - Teacher
Assessment and Grading The teacher will award
grades to each "Legislative Group" based on three things (10 points each): (1)
whether or not their legislation passed; (2) quality and references of
their legislation - was it well written? enforceable? valuable?
(this is a somewhat subjective criteria), was it referenced with pre-existing
law? and (3) was the work done on-time and properly with the correct formatting?
The assignment is worth a total of 30 points. Good luck and may you pass
excellent legislation! |