Who Put You in Charge? Democracy in a Middle School Classroom

Abstract

In this article three strategies are examined for their efficacy in the implementation of a democratic classroom environment. The first is modeled on ancient Athenian democracy, the second employs a Class Council, and the third uses a Class Committee. The author implemented these three strategies with a group of twenty grade seven boys in an effort to increase their engagement in the day-to-day running of their classroom. The students in question rise to the occasion and become fully com- mitted participants.