A Recipe for Democracy: Grade 4 Civics Presentation Hosts Guest Speakers

Fourth-grade students learned about the principles of democracy and governance through an engaging presentation titled Rules, Fairness, Democracy, & You from special guests Connecticut Supreme Court Associate Justice William Bright and attorney Benjamin Schimelman.

Associate Justice Bright was appointed to the Connecticut Supreme Court earlier this month after serving as Chief Judge on the Connecticut Appellate Court. Mr. Schimelman is a current Hamden Hall parent and serves as in-house associate general counsel.

The morning presentation began with Justice Bright and Mr. Schimelman asking the students to define rules and fairness before further explaining how they work simultaneously to serve as the foundational pillar for democracy by way of creating structure, central applicable laws, and equal opportunities for all. Mr. Schimelman asked the students to further expound on how rules and fairness overlap in a team game called The Deserted Island. The general overview is that the students create set rules everyone must follow as they are all stranded on an island. In separate groups, the students worked together to create a list, which included equally sharing resources, everyone having a set job, and most importantly abiding by the buddy system. As the students were debating which rules were the most important overall, Justice Bright noted how rules reflect the ideas of people and become established law through representative democracy.

“It is so important for young people to know and understand their roles and responsibilities in society as there is no age requirement to make a difference,” said Justice Bright. “Democracy empowers individuals to participate in the decision-making process, shaping the collective community and future as it serves the common good.”

Both Justice Bright and Mr. Schimelman explained how the framework of our government operates as representatives are chosen through elections to serve on behalf of all. Mr. Schimelman noted the importance of understanding the responsibility of voting and how the power of the people has the ability to change laws. He emphasized the different ways to make one’s voice heard including voting in elections, calling and writing letters to elected officials, and speaking at town halls. The presentation concluded with a few questions before the class was dismissed.

Grade 4 teacher Emily Schimelman 2002 noted how the presentation was highly informative and a truly engaging way for the students to learn more about the government. To follow up the guest presentation, Mrs. Schimelman noted that she and fellow Grade 4 teacher Taylor DePalma will be taking the students off campus to visit the State Capitol on Tuesday, May 27.