Hello everyone,

This year we have been focusing on class meetings in a different way than what we were use to.  We have been looking at problems and interesting topics in the world.  Sometimes it may not be a problem, it might just be something we have different opinions on. We have a recorder and a chairperson and we change them every week.

Chairperson: Emily           Recorder: Marie 

WHY WE DO CLASS MEETINGS?

We do class meetings to help our confidence since we are talking to one another about our opinions.   Also we do class meetings to learn more about the world’s problems or things that we have/haven’t heard of on the news, magazines and newspaper.   We also need to make sure that we respond to other people’s comments in a respectful way and can ask questions to find out more on the topic.  The chair person runs the meeting and the recorder videos or types the opinions brought up.  Sometimes our meetings are on a Thursday and other times it’s Friday.

Today’s two topics were:     1. Do Royals get too much attention?                       2.Should children under 14 go to jail/juvenile detention?

These are some notes from our discussion:

ROYALS…

• Many people in our class agreed that they got too much attention and shouldn’t have cameras on them 24/7.
• Many people in our class believed that it was important to have important news like the birth of King George.  ‘Everyone likes updates on things and enjoy reading about the royal family in magazines and newspapers’.
• Others believed that the birth of baby George, the future King, had too much attention and even though he was born into the Royal family there are lots of other babies that are being born and are important too.

JAIL…

• Many people in our class believed that children under 14 who commit a crime should have a warning/police record and then go to jail if they repeat the crime.
• Others believed that they should go into jail straight away and have some time to think about their action like in ‘time out’.
• A few class members brought up the concern of the children becoming criminals in the future and thought it was important for them to have a consequence.
• Many class members brought up the importance of helping these children and how police officers do try and help them.

Do you have class meetings?

If you do, what do you have a meeting about?

How is your class meeting structured?

Do you have a chairperson and a recorder?

Would you like to try a class meeting if  you’ve  never tried one?

By Marie