Reflection

Throughout the CAS project, we have collaborated to build, edit, and reflect on our lessons. While we mainly focused on developing the materials, slides, and activities we thought about how helpful these lessons and educational these lessons would have been for us when we were younger. As students attending a New York City Public school where topics regarding advocacy and constitutional rights are not discussed and taught, we felt it was necessary to fill this need in hope they will be able to protect themselves and avocate for others. Lesson after lesson, we witnessed the improvement in the kids' knowledge of the Bill of Rights and how it applies to their lives, and were grateful to have had the opportunity to teach them.

Individual Reflections

This CAS project has truly encouraged creative/critical thinking. When making slides and coming up with activities we really want to make sure that we can engage the 7th graders as much as possible and get them to have discussions about the topics that we go over. We also have to try and make it as fun and relative to their experiences as possible so that they have a good grasp on the rights they have as students and the things that they can/can't do to solicit change. Activism and taking part in the school community has always been a very important aspect at BSGE as most of the clubs and activities are very student-run and oriented. Thus, it's important that the younger kids have all the tools/knowledge they need to really thrive at school. It's always fun to see what the 7th graders come up with when it comes to creating posters and skits. Taking part in this CAS project and doing research has taught me more about student rights and what to do if you want to take part in activism at your school. It has also allowed me to see what activities the 7th graders really respond to, and how to get them more involved.

Veronica Lombardo