I just finished listening to a great episode of This American Life from NPR (National Public Radio). Entitled "Kid Politics," this episode investigates what happens when we turn over responsibility for governing and making the big decisions to kids. When a group of 5th graders take over the White House to re-enact the U.S.-led invasion of Grenada in 1983, will they make the same decisions that the Reagan Administration did? Or, will chaos ensue when students are given the power to call meetings and vote in or out all policies and rules at a school in Brooklyn, New York? An episode worth listening to and a spring board for starting a variety of conversations and debates with students.
You lured me in Nick. The beginning scenario w/ the kids in China gave me "Lord of the Flies" flashbacks, and the way the Reagan library has the Grenada decisions rigged so kids get the buzzer for choosing a different path seems just wrong. I vote for that 10-year-old William who chose to free the college students 1st to be prez.
ReplyDeleteThe girl who drinks Glen Beck Kool-aid every night didn't make her demographic proud, but that's just my take on it. And hearing the kids who called their own meetings practice Robert's Rules and democracy was uplifting.
Anyway, interesting fodder indeed. Thanks for sharing.