Equal Rights

Jean Pollitt
Canyon View Elementary
Sandy, Utah
89053

INTRODUCTION: It is often appealing for students to get the feel of what it was like before women had a say in American Government. Initially, the purpose of this lesson is to give all students the experience to know what it would be like for any one group to make the laws that all people are to follow.

AUDIENCE: The total group of grade school students of any of grades 3 - 5.

TIME TO COMPLETE: This can be a one-day or one-week lesson.

PROCEDURES: The lesson begins with a discussion of what equal rights are, and who in the past has been denied the rights to vote, hold office, etc.

Tell the class that the ruling body of the school or class, for today, will be only the girls. Only the girls have the right to vote on the issues presented.

Ask for a vote on the following issues and tally the votes.

1. How many of the girls would like an afternoon recess?

2. How many of the girls would like to be able to eat gum and candy in school?

3. How many of the girls think that the boys should be given more work that would require more time than they are?

4. How many of the girls would like to have free time during reading and math while the boys work?

5. Would it be good to have each Friday off -- for the girls only?

 This list could be generated by a group of girls instructed beforehand, or as part of the whole group instruction. A panel of boys could then give their response to how these laws or rules would effect them and how they felt about them. As each group returns to their seats, a further discussion could be held, and papers written as to the feelings of each student. The students could share these papers and discuss them in small groups, debating the issues of both distribution groups.

EVALUATION: The real test of this would be the feelings brought out when one group is given the ruling powers of everyone. This could be ethnic groups, religions, as well as sex. The prompting the teacher gives on analysis of this subject can make an invaluable contribution as to the effects of discrimination.