How School Rules Are Made

Active learning works especially well for this topic because students need to experience the democratic process of rule-making firsthand. When they role-play meetings or debate ideas, they connect abstract concepts like fairness and responsibility to real choices in their school community.

• 3rd Year
• Active Citizenship and Democratic Action
• 4 activities
• 30 min–45 min

Learning Objectives

1. Identify at least three potential sources for new school rule ideas.
2. Explain the sequence of steps involved in proposing and approving a new school rule.
3. Analyze the role of student representation in the school rule-making process.
4. Evaluate the fairness of a proposed school rule based on its impact on different student groups.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

Role-Play: Student Council Meeting

Assign roles like student reps, principal, and teachers. Groups brainstorm a new rule idea, such as recess equipment use, present it, debate pros and cons, then vote. Conclude with a summary of the adopted rule and reasons.

Prepare & details

Where do ideas for new school rules come from?

Facilitation Tip: During the Role-Play: Student Council Meeting, assign specific roles like chairperson, note-taker, or proposer to keep the simulation structured and purposeful.

⏱ 30 min·Pairs

Survey and Propose: Class Rule Poll

Students survey classmates on a rule need, like lunch line order, tally results, and draft a proposal. Share findings in a whole-class vote, then implement the winning rule for a week and reflect on its impact.

Prepare & details

What steps might happen before a new rule is put in place?

Facilitation Tip: For the Survey and Propose: Class Rule Poll, remind students to word their survey questions clearly to avoid bias in responses.

⏱ 35 min·Pairs

Flowchart Challenge: Rule-Making Steps

Provide blank flowcharts; pairs sequence steps from idea to rule using school examples. Groups present and critique each other's charts, adding missing elements like consultation phases.

Prepare & details

How can students have a say in school rules?

Facilitation Tip: When students complete the Flowchart Challenge: Rule-Making Steps, ask them to compare their flowcharts in pairs to identify any missing steps.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

Debate Stations: For and Against Rules

Set up stations with rule scenarios. Small groups prepare arguments for and against at each, rotate, and vote after hearing all views. Record final decisions on a class chart.

Prepare & details

Where do ideas for new school rules come from?

Facilitation Tip: At each Debate Stations: For and Against Rules, provide sentence starters on the board to scaffold students' arguments, such as 'One reason for this rule is...' or 'A concern about this rule is...'.

Teaching This Topic

Teachers should emphasize that rule-making is a deliberate process, not a quick process, and that multiple perspectives matter. Avoid presenting rules as fixed or unchangeable, as this can discourage student engagement. Research suggests that when students see their ideas reflected in school policies, their sense of belonging and responsibility increases.

What to Expect

Successful learning looks like students who can articulate the steps of rule-making, explain the importance of discussion and voting, and recognize their own role in influencing school decisions. They should also value the input of peers and staff as part of the process.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

During Role-Play: Student Council Meeting, watch for students assuming the principal or teachers make all the decisions without student input. Redirect by having the student-led meeting present their proposals to a 'principal' character for approval.

What to Teach Instead

Use the role-play to show that student ideas are the starting point, and the principal's role is to review and approve, not originate, the rules.

Common Misconception

During Flowchart Challenge: Rule-Making Steps, watch for students drawing flowcharts that skip steps like discussion or voting. Redirect by providing a checklist of required steps and asking them to revise their flowcharts.

What to Teach Instead

Have students compare their flowcharts to a model step-by-step process to ensure they include all necessary stages.

Common Misconception

During Debate Stations: For and Against Rules, watch for students believing their opinions alone change rules without debate or votes. Redirect by having them tally votes at each station and discuss how outcomes are decided.

What to Teach Instead

Use the debate stations to demonstrate that rules result from collective discussion and voting, not individual preferences.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

After Survey and Propose: Class Rule Poll, provide students with a scenario like 'The playground is too noisy during recess.' Ask them to write down two possible sources for a new rule addressing this and one step that might happen before the rule is finalized.

Discussion Prompt

During Debate Stations: For and Against Rules, pose the question: 'Imagine you want a new rule allowing students to use phones during lunch. What are three arguments for this rule and three arguments against it? Who would you need to convince?' Facilitate a class discussion on how to present these arguments.

Exit Ticket

After Flowchart Challenge: Rule-Making Steps, ask students on a slip of paper to name one person or group in the school who has the authority to approve a new rule and explain why their approval is necessary.

Extensions & Scaffolding

• Challenge students who finish early to create a persuasive poster or social media post advocating for one of the proposed rules, targeting a specific audience like the principal or student body.
• For students who struggle, provide sentence frames during the Role-Play activity to help them articulate their ideas, such as 'I suggest this rule because...' or 'This rule would help by...'.
• Deeper exploration: Have students research how national or local laws are made, then compare the process to their school's rule-making system to identify similarities and differences.

Key Vocabulary

Proposal	A formal suggestion or plan put forward for consideration or discussion, such as a new idea for a school rule.
Debate	A formal discussion on a particular topic in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward. In school, this involves discussing the pros and cons of a proposed rule.
Student Council	A group of students elected to represent the student body and work with school administration on school matters, including suggesting new rules.
Ratification	The official approval or confirmation of a proposal, plan, or rule, often by a governing body or authority.
Stakeholder	A person or group with an interest or concern in something, such as students, teachers, and parents in school rules.