Freedom of Speech: Establishing a Foundation for Class Meetings

Overview:

Norman Rockwell’s Freedom of Speech is an excellent introduction to class meetings for all grades. This activity offers ways to introduce the idea of a class meeting, as well as suggestions for meeting topics and approaches. Resource materials are provided for teachers who have not used class meetings previously.

Enduring Understandings / Essential Questions

1. Everyone has the right to share ideas and concerns in their community.
2. It is positive when diverse thoughts and opinions are shared respectfully. Participants in a meeting both speak and listen.
3. When speakers provide information/evidence to back up their ideas this supports good discussion.
   • What does Freedom of Speech mean?
   • Why should speakers present their ideas/concerns respectfully? What does this look like?
   • Why is it helpful to listen to and share different opinions and ideas?
   • Why should speakers give information that supports their ideas/concerns?
   • Why is it important that the audience listens?

 

Objectives:

• Students will understand what respectful behavior looks like in a meeting.  For example, looking at and listening to the speaker is a positive behavior.
• Students will speak and listen to each other on a variety of grade level topics.
• Students will speak at a voice level that can be heard by group.
• Students will express information, thoughts, and ideas clearly.
• Students will ask questions related to the speaker’s presentation in order to obtain additional information or to clarify meaning.

Background:

In January 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave an Annual Address to Congress outlining four essential freedoms which he felt were important rights for all citizens of the world. Freedom of Speech was one of those highlighted. Town meetings offer an opportunity for members of a community to speak about their ideas and concerns. Freedom of Speech is the only one of Norman Rockwell’s Four Freedoms paintings that directly references an actual occurrence. A resident of Arlington, Vermont from 1939 to 1953, the artist frequently attended town meetings. In the meeting depicted here, debate ensued about a school development project, and Rockwell observed that even though the speaker held a minority opinion, he was listened to respectfully. Rockwell is seen in the rear left corner of the image as a participant in the democratic process.

Holding class meetings allows students to exercise free speech in the classroom through respectful discourse. During these meetings, students learn the rules of conduct that encourage productive exchange and problem-solving. They learn how to be good listeners and find ways to present ideas and concerns in a positive, non-threatening manner, and express support for the ideas and concerns of others.

 

Materials:

Teacher Resources for class meetings:

• https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/about/principles-practices/
• https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/category/morning-meeting/

Classroom Supplies:

• Chart paper and marker for recording standards of behavior
• Chart paper and marker for creating agendas for individual meetings

Activities:

Prior to holding class meetings with students:

• Establish a routine and schedule for class meetings.
• Think about the standards of behavior that you wish to see students observe during the meetings. (You may choose to create a chart of your ideas, but having students participating in the process gives them ownership of the standards.)
• Working with students, creates a set of standards of behavior for audience and speakers.
• Establish a routine for setting an agenda for each meeting. How will student topics be placed on the agenda? Who will be responsible for creating the agenda? Will there be a recorder to take notes on the meeting and points addressed? Who will the recorder be? For example, will the teacher assist in this process, or will students act as recorders on a rotating schedule? What will student input provided at class meetings be implemented?

At Meetings:

• Post the agreed upon standards of conduct in the classroom. Review these standards at the beginning of each meeting as needed.
• Adhere to agenda and time limits so students do not become inattentive. If necessary, schedule another meeting to continue discussion.

Please note that meetings with very young students can be focused on sharing an important event, a special item, or experience. Students might also discuss ways to celebrate an upcoming event, or to make a gift for a special someone. The meeting’s focus should be announced prior to the event. Limit the number of students who share at any given meeting.

Assessment:

• Are presenters prepared?
• Do presenters provide adequate information about their topic?
• Are agreed upon standards of conduct evident?
• Are questions/comments appropriate to the speaker’s presentation?