Elementary School Student Government & Intergroup Relations

Preamble to the Constitution of the United States

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of

Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

When students enter kindergarten or first grade, they start to learn reading, writing and arithmetic, and they learn to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. But, do they know that "republic" means that we are a representative democracy, that "liberty" means that we have individual freedoms like free speech and religion, and do they know that "justice" means that we have laws that are outlined in our Constitution. Can we teach civics to young children? In this book, the author describes the many ways that elementary school children can practice democracy in their classroom and school through student government activities. It also outlines how student government can foster intergroup relations and teach children to learn about and respect all students in our multicultural society. As John Dewey, the renowned educator of the early twentieth century espoused, democracy must be taught in our classrooms if our country is to thrive as a democracy and reach the goal of a more perfect union.