Vocabulary #1
The ability to influence others’ choices or control events and outcomes
Power
A group of students forms a club at school. They discuss how they want the freedom to meet during lunch breaks, but they are also expected to respect school policies about noise and cleanup. One student wonders if the school has a right to deny them the ability to meet.
Hint: This scenario is about freedoms and expectations.
Rights
Freedoms and expectations about what a person can do, what can be done to them, and what they are owed
Rights
The class votes to spend their fundraising money on fixing the school’s water fountain so everyone can benefit, even though some students wanted the funds to go to a class party.
Hint: This scenario is about benefiting everyone.
Common Good
When things we care about or value come into conflict with each other, we have a...
Dilemma
Rights that should be protected for everyone, as part of being human, everywhere in the world
Human Rights
The student council has to decide between funding new gym equipment or improving the library. Both are important to different groups of students, and the council is divided on what to do.
Hint: This scenario involves a conflict between values.
Dilemma
A formal complaint made against a person, organization, or government
Grievance
The students imagine a classroom ruled by a “queen” chosen by the teacher. The queen makes all the decisions about lunch seating and homework assignments. Students wonder what would happen if the queen were unfair or had too much control.
Hint: This scenario involves one person holding all the power.
Monarchy
A student feels that their group project grade is unfair because they did more work than their teammates. They write a formal letter to the teacher explaining the situation and requesting a review of their grade.
Hint: This scenario involves a formal complaint.
Grievance
An area of land that is partially or totally politically controlled by another country, often one that is far away
Colony
A student is accused of cheating on a test. Before any punishment, the teacher gives them a chance to explain their side of the story and provides evidence to support the accusation.
Hint: This scenario is about fairness and following procedures.
Due Process
What is a Monarchy?
A form of government in which a single person—a king or queen—holds the power of government
In a classroom election, one student uses persuasive speeches to convince classmates to vote for them as class president. They promise to make decisions that will benefit everyone but start noticing how their influence can shape others' choices.
Hint: This scenario involves the ability to influence others.
Power
Something that is beneficial to a society and belongs to everyone
Common Good
What is a Civil Rights?
Rights that are given by law to members of a particular community
A new playground opens in a town, but some local children are denied access based on their family’s background. A community group fights to ensure all children in the town have equal access to public spaces.
Hint: This scenario is about rights given by law to people in a specific community.
Civil Rights
The set of values, understandings, and skills you develop and reflect on, that allow you to be a changemaker and that you activate when you’re engaging in your community
Two students are caught breaking the same rule, but one receives a harsher punishment than the other. The class discusses whether the school’s decision was fair and if both students were treated equally.
Hint: This scenario is about fairness and what’s right.
Justice
A science class is given a piece of land in the playground to manage. However, they are required to follow strict rules set by another class, even though that class is not directly involved in maintaining the land.
Hint: This scenario involves control by a distant authority.
Colony
What is Liberty?
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views
A new school rule restricts students from wearing hats, but some students feel that this violates their ability to express themselves freely. They debate whether the rule is fair or too restrictive.
Hint: This scenario is about freedom from restrictions.
Liberty
What is Justice?
Fairness in the way people are dealt with. Conformity to truth, fact, reason. It helps us figure out what’s right and wrong
During a class discussion, students learn about a country where children are not allowed to attend school or express their opinions publicly. The class debates whether education and free speech should be protected for all people.
Hint: This scenario is about universal protections.
Human Rights
What is Due Process?
The legal system that requires every person be treated fairly. It means that any citizen charged with a crime will be given a fair trial that follows a defined procedure through the judicial system.