The Children's Council

Operations

The Children's Council meets every 15 days on the premises of the Laboratory or on other premises external to the school. A monthly meeting date can be opted for if the meetings are alternated with the work of commissions or of communication within the school.
It is opportune that the adult coordinating the project always be the same person, a second adult can draft the meeting report. It is suggested that video films be made of the Council sessions: this material may be valuable for the purpose of evaluating the experience and training the operators. In the period between two sessions, the children report to their schoolmates (not only those in their class) the issues that were discussed and gather their opinions and proposals. The typical school methods and attitudes are to be avoided such as the raising of hands, written reports, letting the children choose the best ways to follow the work and refer the opinions gathered from their schoolmates.
Adopting the ways and attitudes by imitating the adult Council is to be avoided such as voting or the proposal of regulations elaborated by the adults.
It is opportune that the convocation to the Council arrive by mail to the councillors' home and contain the report related to the previous session and the work issues foreseen. A copy of the convocation will have to be sent to the teacher of the class so that he/she can prepare the session.

A comparison of two typologies
Organization
Operations
Themes
Relations with Administrators
Where