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Teaching
students to exercise their civil liberties
By Gretchen
Eichberger-Kudlack, Teacher
Onekama Consolidated Schools
231-871-0215
geichberger@manistee.org
In early
March 2011, I invited the Representative of Michigan’s 101st
District, Ray Franz to come and speak with my students about his role in
our State’s government. I asked him to speak of current issues in
Michigan that would be of interest to a typical third grader, and to
answer student questions regarding our natural resources, energy,
transportation, and our civil liberties. One may ask, does the typical
third grader even contemplate such topics? Of Course! The average
eight-year-old is very dramatic and inquisitive. They are beginning to
accept more responsibility, set personal goals, and understand the
relationship between choices and consequences. Many will possess a
“know-it-all” attitude.
Franz’s
assistant, Jennifer Smeltzer, a Yale graduate accepted the invitation on
his behalf, thus the preparation for his visit began. I prepared my
third graders for the visit with two lessons on the purpose for
government. We read and discussed a short passage from the Declaration
of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson. “We hold these truths to
be self- evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed
by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness---- That to secure these
Rights, Governments are instituted among Men.” A second quote from
Article I of Michigan’s State Constitution was also introduced and
discussed. “ All political power is inherent in the people. Government
is instituted for their equal benefit, security, and protection.”
Through our
textbooks and our sacred American Documents, we identified that the
purpose of government was to protect the “individual rights of citizens”
and to “keep citizens safe.” The students then were introduced to the
Bill of Rights and discussed the meaning of Liberty, which included
having your own ideas and opinions and to express your ideas in public,
and the right for people to meet in groups. Finally, the students were
then shown the official website for Rep. Franz explaining that he was
our elected official for the people to express their ideas and concerns
about their state and local region. Franz received the students ideas
days in advance of the visit. The students concerned with issues
pertaining to the quality of our Great Lakes, mainly with the issue of
invasive species and to increase fines for pollution. The students saw
the effects of pollution when they picked up nearly 100 pounds of trash
(mainly cigarette butts) at the start of their school year, along their
beloved stretch of Lake Michigan just a few miles north of school.
Representative Franz and his assistant, Ms. Smeltzer arrived promptly
at 2:00 pm. Introductions were made, and our first topic on the list was
announced – the protection of our Great Lakes. Franz stated, “The Great
Lakes are our greatest asset. We do everything we can do to protect
them. The states that border the Great Lakes have established the
Eight-State Compact that forbids drilling for oil in the Great
Lakes.” In addition to mentioning the Eight-State compact, Franz
also commented on the current situation with the Asian Carp.
Windmills
were a hot topic this year, and one of the nation’s largest energy
companies, Duke Energy has proposed to build more than 100 turbines on
high ridges that run near Manistee and Benzie counties. The students
had communicated a reasoned position on whether they were for or against
wind farms in their communities. Many students were also concerned with
the smoke and pollution that were emitted from coal powered electric
plants. The students felt that it was possible for today’s scientists
to find a way to make clean energy. Many of the students felt that the
windmills should not be residential areas, but rather in areas that were
sparsely populated.
Franz
continued, “Where we are with energy is where we are with prosperity.
We have to find new ways to produce energy. We need to create energy
that is affordable and consistent. Wind and solar panels are too
unreliable. We have not developed the technology for it to be
consistent. I personally believe that nuclear power is our best option
because they provide energy all the time. We will not be building
nuclear power plants over tectonic plates like they did in Japan. In
Michigan we do not have tidal waves or earthquakes.”
The rising
cost of gasoline is something that today’s students hear plenty of at
home, especially those who live in a rural area, where public
transportation is limited. The students felt that gas prices should be
lowered, for many did not quite understand the full realities of the
commodity. Several students were savvy to the fact that newer
technologies were currently available. “My dad’s friend has a car that
runs on vegetable oil” stated the confident and engaging Ali. Eleanor
and Taylor thought that more cars could be made that ran on solar
power. Colleen thought that bikes should be ridden more, and Savannah,
Ella, and Hanna thought that cars should run on something besides gas.
Nickolas liked the idea of returning to horses.
Franz told the students that, “A lot of people think we are running out
of oil. The reality is that we are running out of the will to go get
it. There is a lot of oil under the Great Lakes. We choose not to get
it, because we have not found a safe way to get it. I hope some of you
brilliant guys who want to become engineers can show us how to get the
oil. That is your future and what you have to work towards. The new
slant drilling technique is available . There is a potential that we
will never run out of oil. We want to make sure that we have enough.
“It is an essential part of the way we live.” This brought the
jubilant Dalron to explain the process of slant drilling, in which Mr.
Franz was very impressed. With broad smile, he gave his approval and
stated “You are brilliant!”
The day following Franz’s visit, the students were given the opportunity
to state their opinions and beliefs, and were reminded that the Bill of
Rights guarantees our freedom to disagree with our leaders and policy
makers. The protection of our Great Lakes was a theme that transcended
all the issues discussed. Lahaila believed that nuclear power was “not
our best option” because windmills were better. Ali thought that if an
earthquake occurred in the Great Lakes region, she would “not like the
possibility that we would be without fresh water.” Taylor thought that
nuclear power was not our best choice because if it breaks it can kill
people and humans are coming up with things and he thought we could find
better ways. (to produce energy).” Dalron wrote, “NO! I do not think
nuclear power is not the best idea we have. We could create a big solar
panel somewhere and we could transport it where we want. And if we had
nuclear power someone could blow it up and we’d be done.” Justin
stated that “nuclear power could wreck the Great Lakes.” Savannah
thought we could find oil in a different place other than below our
fresh water.” Aaron thought it would be a bad idea to “get the oil from
the bottom of the lakes” and that “nuclear power should not be in
Michigan in case a disaster happens.” Jackson agreed with Mr. Franz in
stating that he believed that “nuclear power plants are the way to go
because Michigan rarely ever has earthquakes, let alone tsunamis.”
Hanna thought is was possible to “work harder to make windmills
better.” Hayden said that nuclear power could “destroy America and it
could get out of control.” Zackary thought that the “workers that
helped make the nuclear plant could make it wrong and poison could get
out.” Kelly stated that “nuclear power is not our best option even if
it provides energy all the time, and we don’t’ need energy all the time
and we can use the sun for some energy.” Regarding the use of
petrochemicals and how it is “essential for our way of life” as stated
by Franz, Ella believed that “we don’t have to use plastic to make
everything.” Taylor stated that instead of “working towards getting
oil” as stated by Franz, he would work towards being in the NBA and
will also do things to help the United States and the World. Jackson and
Kolin thought it would be okay to drill for oil under the Great Lakes as
long as the “oil pipe was safe and very strong.” Hayden believe that
we were “running out of oil and that we can’t drill in the Great Lakes
because it would poison them.” Cody believed that “there should not be
plastic in the United States of America.”
Superintendent of Onekama Consolidated Schools, Kevin Hughes stated, “It
appears that the students were prepared and engaged in a meaningful
debate with Mr Franz. I know my daughter was enthused and was happy to
be involved in his visit. It seems like it was a balanced discussion
with all opinions able to be openly expressed. This type of learning
experience can make an impact on a child that will last for a lifetime.”
It was
evident that Mr. Franz enjoyed the time spent with the third graders of
Onekama. He was impressed with their ability to articulate ideas, their
maturity level, and their knowledge of Michigan. I was indeed very
grateful that he displayed his honesty and genuine interest in the
students’ ideas. He truly engaged the students in active citizenship,
in an age where ‘we the people’ must be involved like never before.
Gretchen Eichberger currently teaches Michigan studies and
general academics at Onekama Consolidated Schools. In addition
to educating elementary children, she directs and produces
theater and dance works for children and adults, and is the
founder and director of the Northwest Michigan Folklife Center.
Representative of Michigan’s
101st
District, Ray Franz, poses with the second & third grade classes |