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Engaging Primary Students in Public Policy Basics
Grade 1EnglishSocial Studies3 days
★★★★★
5.0 (1 rating)Public PolicyEducational EnvironmentCommunicationCollaborationFirst GradeSchool CommunityInteractive Learning
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Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can understanding and participating in public policy help students and teachers improve the educational system in our school community?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What is public policy and how does it impact our school?
- How can students and teachers work together to improve learning experiences?
- What are some rules we follow in school, and why are they important?
- How do different roles in our school community contribute to making our school a better place to learn?
- Why is it important to have assessments, and how do they help us learn?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand the concept of public policy and how it affects the educational environment.
- Develop skills in collaboration and communication through discussions on public policy improvements.
- Identify and explore the roles of different members of the school community in contributing to a positive learning environment.
- Learn the purpose and importance of rules and assessments in the school setting.
- Engage in basic research and writing tasks related to public policy topics with the support of teachers.
Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1
Primary
Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.Reason: Engaging students in discussions about public policy and its impact on their education requires them to communicate and collaborate effectively with their peers and teachers.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.1
Primary
Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.Reason: Students will need to investigate and understand key details of public policies that affect their school environment.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.7
Primary
Participate in shared research and writing projects.Reason: The project involves researching public policy and the role of assessments, requiring students to engage in shared writing and exploration.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.8
Secondary
With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.Reason: Students will gather information about public policy and its impact on school, using teacher guidance to formulate answers to essential questions.
National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies
NCSS.D2.CIV.2.K-2
Primary
Explain how all people, not just official leaders, play important roles in a community.Reason: Understanding the various roles within the school community and how they influence public policy addresses this standard directly.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsPolicy Change Simulation
Kick off the project by simulating a sudden change in school policy, such as a rule about lunch breaks or homework. Students will role-play different roles like students, teachers, and administrators to explore the impact of this change, sparking discussions on why policies exist and how they are created.Expert Guest Speaker: Policy Maker
Invite a local policy maker or school board member to discuss the importance of educational policies. They can share real-life examples, encouraging students to think about the role of policies in shaping their everyday school life.Policy Debate
Host a classroom debate on a popular but controversial school policy such as uniforms or the use of cellphones, engaging students to evaluate different viewpoints and understand the need for nuanced policy decisions.Interactive Policy Fair
Organize an interactive fair where booths represent different school policies. Students can learn through games and activities how these policies affect their school lives and why they are important.Digital Policy Journal
Students are tasked with creating a daily journal that captures how school policies impact their day—positively or negatively. This journal will form a base for understanding the real-world implications of policies.📚
Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Activity 1
Policy Detective Adventure
In this activity, students will delve into storytelling by creating a detective-themed narrative that explores what a day might look like without certain school policies. This engages imagination while teaching about the necessity of policies.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Brainstorm as a class which school policies are crucial to daily operations.
2. Guide students to select one policy and imagine a day without it.
3. Support students in writing a short story or drawing a series of pictures illustrating the chaos or issues that arise without this policy.
4. Share stories with the class and discuss what was learned from the narrative exploration.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA short illustrated story or comic strip depicting a day without a chosen school policy.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.7 (Shared writing and exploration) and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.8 (Information gathering and recall).Activity 2
Policy Fair Creators
Organize and host a 'Policy Fair' in which students create booths that represent different school policies through interactive displays. This participatory event allows students to become experts on chosen policies and explain their significance.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Divide students into small groups and assign each group a specific school policy to explore.
2. Guide students in researching the assigned policy, using classroom resources and teacher support.
3. Assist students in creating interactive displays or games that explain and demonstrate the policy's purpose and impact.
4. Host the 'Policy Fair' where groups present their projects to classmates, teachers, and potentially parents.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityInteractive policy booths presented at the classroom 'Policy Fair.'Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.1 (Understanding key details) and NCSS.D2.CIV.2.K-2 (Roles in a community).Activity 3
Digital Policy Journalists
Students will maintain a daily digital journal that chronicles their observations and reflections on how various school policies affect their day-to-day experiences. This promotes regular reflection on the role of policies.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Introduce students to the concept of journaling about daily school life experiences focusing on policy impact.
2. Provide simple digital tools or templates for students to record their observations and reflections daily.
3. Encourage students to identify specific policies and detail how these policies influence their educational environment, both positively and negatively.
4. Periodically review journal entries with the class to prompt discussion and deeper understanding.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA compiled digital journal capturing students' reflections on school policies.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.8 (Recall information and gather insights) and promotes engagement with personal school experiences.Activity 4
Debate Dynamite
Host a classroom debate session where students voice their thoughts on a controversial policy topic, such as school uniforms or cellphone usage. This activity enhances critical thinking and understanding of differing viewpoints.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Choose a controversial school policy topic as a class, ensuring it's relevant and relatable to students.
2. Divide students into two groups, supporting and opposing the policy.
3. Allow each group to research and prepare their arguments, using simple supporting resources.
4. Conduct the debate, allowing students to express their positions and respond to opposing arguments.
5. Facilitate a reflective discussion post-debate on the importance of considering multiple perspectives.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written reflection on the debate process and what students learned about the chosen policy.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1 (Collaborative conversations) and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.1 (Key details understanding through research and debate).🏆
Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioPublic Policy Educational Rubric for First Grade
Category 1
Understanding of Policy Concepts
Assessing students' grasp of public policy related to their school environment, including its impact and necessity.Criterion 1
Policy Comprehension
Ability to identify and explain the purpose and impact of school policies.
Exemplary
4 PointsClearly and accurately explains multiple school policies and their impacts, showing a deep understanding of their necessity.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies and explains at least one school policy with reasonable accuracy and understanding of its impact.
Developing
2 PointsShows partial understanding of school policies, with some ability to explain their purpose but lacking depth.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify or explain the purpose of school policies, with minimal understanding of their impact.
Criterion 2
Creative Expression in Policy Exploration
Creativity in expressing understanding of a day's impact without policies through storytelling or artwork.
Exemplary
4 PointsDevelops a detailed and imaginative narrative or artwork that effectively illustrates the chaos of a day without policies.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates a clear narrative or artwork depicting a day without policies that reflects understanding of potential impacts.
Developing
2 PointsProduces a narrative or artwork that shows limited exploration of the impact of a day without policies.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to create a coherent narrative or artwork about a day without policies, with basic or unclear expression.
Category 2
Collaboration and Communication
Evaluating students' ability to engage in discussions and activities about policies collaboratively and effectively.Criterion 1
Collaborative Participation
Active and constructive participation in group settings, contributing ideas and listening to peers.
Exemplary
4 PointsActively engages in discussions, consistently contributing thoughtful ideas and supporting others.
Proficient
3 PointsParticipates in discussions regularly, contributing ideas and interacting respectfully with peers.
Developing
2 PointsParticipates intermittently in discussions, sometimes engaging with the topic and peers.
Beginning
1 PointsRarely participates in discussions, needing encouragement to engage with peers and the topic.
Criterion 2
Effective Communication
Ability to express ideas clearly and respectfully in spoken or written form regarding policies.
Exemplary
4 PointsCommunicates ideas clearly and respectfully, using appropriate vocabulary and engaging peers effectively.
Proficient
3 PointsExpresses ideas clearly with minimal support, using appropriate language for the topic.
Developing
2 PointsExpresses basic ideas with some clarity; requires assistance to fully articulate thoughts.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to articulate ideas clearly, needing much support to express thoughts.
Category 3
Reflective Thinking and Personal Connection
Encourages students to connect personal experiences with policy impacts and reflect on these connections.Criterion 1
Personal Reflection
Ability to self-reflect and connect personal experiences with school policy impacts.
Exemplary
4 PointsThoughtfully connects personal experiences to policy impacts, showing deep reflection and understanding.
Proficient
3 PointsMakes clear connections between personal experiences and policy impacts with reasonable reflection.
Developing
2 PointsShows limited reflection on policy impacts related to personal experiences.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to reflect on personal experiences in relation to policy impacts.
Reflection Prompts
End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learningQuestion 1
Reflect on your experience participating in the Policy Detective Adventure. What did you discover about the importance of school policies?
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Question 2
How did participating in the Policy Fair help you understand the roles people play in a school community?
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Question 3
On a scale from 1 to 5, how much do you feel your understanding of public policy and its impact on education has improved?
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Question 4
Which activity did you find most engaging and why? Circle one: Policy Detective Adventure, Policy Fair, Digital Policy Journal, or Debate.
Multiple choice
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Options
Policy Detective Adventure
Policy Fair
Digital Policy Journal
Debate
Question 5
What is one thing you learned about public policy that you think is important for your school community?
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