Initiating Change
Developed by: Maine Council for the Social Studies

Grade Level: 5-8

The MLR performance indicators listed below are for illustrative purposes. Depending on the focus of the lessons as developed by individual teachers, these indicators may or may not be addressed. Conversely this is not a definitive listing of all of the performance indicators which could be addressed in this lesson.

MLR: Civics and Government (Rights, Responsibilities, and Participation): A-1, A-3, A-5

Task Description

The problem is how to initiate change. Students might begin the discussion with tales of change in their homes, or change at school. The process of changing something is the focus of the next part of the lesson. How do people arrive at something to be changed? Initiate that change? Make themselves heard?

Student Product/Performance

Students will identify a subject that needs some sort of change. The first try might be something changed in the classroom or the school and then take that issue to the School Board.

A more involved idea would include changing something in their town. How can they initiate the change? Make themselves heard? Be taken seriously?

A class discussion to outline the process and assign the tasks would be necessary. A  town official might be helpful in coming to the classroom to assist the students in organizing their thoughts and preventing the students from addressing a change that is either out of the hands of local officials or is the result of a misunderstanding in the first place.

Resources

How to conduct a Public Hearing from Maine Townsman, April 1976, 1998, by Clifford H. Goodall, Esq.
Chairman's "Aide Memoire" for Conducting ZBA Variance Hearings from MMA's Handbook for Local Appeals Boards: A Legal Perspective, August 1989. This outline was prepared by the Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission.
Rules for City Council Proceedings (can easily be used for conducting hearings or meeting situations)
Sample Petition (if needed)
      Voters’ Petition Paper for Town Meeting or Secret Ballot Vote on an Article of Business
Petitions for Town Meetings from Town Meeting and Elections Manual, MMA
Municipal Official (Planning Board, Code Enforcement Officer, Selectman, or Town Manager)
Data on current costs and budget process (see budget lesson plans for materials (Budgeting - The Basics, Part 1, Making Budget Choices, or Approving a Town Budget).

Criteria for Evaluating Quality of Product or Performance

Students could make a presentation at a meeting of the municipal officials. Whether the officials respond positively to the presentation should not be the only criteria for a quality performance. Seeing that students understand the process, and the demonstration of that process, is the primary goal.