ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Why do people create, structure, and change governments?

Scenario: Due to budget cuts, teaching and administrative positions have been reduced. Therefore, our school is now being led by a principal on the other side of the county. He has quickly changed our school policies and implemented the following rules:

1. Uniforms are mandatory for all students. Every time a student breaks the dress code, he/she is responsible for paying a fine of $5.00.

2. All textbooks must be purchased by students.

3. All students are required to pay a flat fee of $50 at the beginning of the year for all photocopied materials.

4. Any personal items students bring on campus are subject to use by any faculty member or administrator, including cell phones, food, drinks, electronic devices, and fashion accessories. Under no circumstances will faculty or administrators be required to reimburse students for any such use.

5. Student complaints must be made in person in the new principal’s office between the hours of 10 AM and 2 PM, Monday through Friday.

6. Written complaints will be rejected.

7. Failure to comply with the new rules will result in harsh sanctions.

Answer the following questions:

1. How do these new rules make you feel?

2. What is going to be your response to these new rules? Why?

3. Who should be in charge of making the rules for your school? Explain why.

4. Think about how similar the above example is to how the British ruled the colonists in the 1700s. What was it about being ruled by the British that made the colonists want to break away from them and form their own government?