Brief Description:
When studying the rights and obligations of living in a democracy, students will examine the rights and obligations of property ownership. They will research the state and local ordinances involving landlord and tenant rights and prepare a pamphlet for students to take home to their parents. Students will prepare a brief presentation to give to other classes and hand out the pamphlets at the end of the presentation. Pamphlets will be translated into more than one language depending on the home language of the students at the school. Pamphlets will include the names and phone numbers of pubic officials and governmental agencies one can turn to when faced with a landlord/tenant dispute.
**As college students, this is oftentimes an issue we know all too well. However, it is important for all of us to know this issue because I am pretty sure that most people are renters, at least in some point of their life. Not only that, but this is a great project to get students prepared for the college life that is just around the corner. This is an issue that affects a whole lot of people, so it is good that they understand that not only do they have rights, but the idea of rights is applied directly and relevantly to their lives.
Having to create a pamphlet is a great way to get students to critically think about what should be included, how it should be set up, and how the pamphlet should be presented to the class. I would assume that after working out in "the field" that they would have a better understanding of the answers to these issues.
They also have a chance to understand the way that certain governmental agencies are set up by having to research their local city ordinances and such.
The students are required to research the most common issues that exist between tenants and landlords, and look up the laws that support them. Once they have created their pamphlet, they have to write an essay about how they and/or their family have benefited from the information given. I think this is a great next step in solidifying the meaningful project that they just created.
This project hones skills in research, rights and responsibilities, as well as oral and written language from having to present and write a reflection.
It is a powerful thing to be in control of your circumstances by not allowing yourself to be manipulated because of a lack of knowledge.
http://www.servicelearning.org/slice/index.php?ep_action=view&ep_id=271
The reason why this activity speaks to me is because it actual has real world application. Personally, I would have loved to participate in an activity such as this. The aspects of Land Reform and Client/Tenant legalities can seem staggering, but this seems to make it reasonable and comprehensible. RIGHTS are a vastly under stated aspect in education, and as a teacher I feel it is our duty to inform our common citizenry. All citizens should have a decent grasp on our rights not just for classroom participation, but for successful citizenship.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I especially liked about this project was the fact that the pamphlets had to be translated into other languages, depending on the demographic of the school. This is one of the most important and newest aspects of being a good citizen. As the ethnic make-up of our nation is beginnig to shift again, people need to be reminded what it means to be a good citizen. As a country that supports thousands of recent immigrants, it is important that we recognize that not all people in this country speak English. I think it is very progressive of this project to incorporate this ideal into citizenship.
ReplyDeleteThis is a valuable and potentially eye opening lesson idea. Among my friends, most people I know were not renters until college. Doing a lesson on tenant/landlord rights not only prepares students for their future, but provides insight to issues that their peers or family members may face. Students always enjoy learning about rights, especially when they are relevant and potentially controversial.
ReplyDeleteMy only question or concern regards the translations: If some students speak the "school language" at home, then is it fair for other students to have to translate their pamphlets into at least one other language? I see the value in doing this and I think it is a critical aspect of community outreach, I would just want to be fair to all students.