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Home > Education & Outreach > Ecological Governance

Children’s Fair at Falls Brook Centre

What is the Children’s Parliament?

The Children's Parliament is a program run by Falls Brook Centre in conjunction with School District 14. It consists of an elected school council who meet on a bi-monthly basis to discuss issues at their school and within their community such as; the environment, children's rights and responsibilities, democracy and decision-making processes. The venture is ultimately intended to provide students with a forum in which they can voice their concerns, as well as to facilitate children's participation in
decision-making.

The Children’s Parliament here in Carleton County will also have a chance to link up with a similar Children’s Parliament in India through the international work of Falls Brook Centre.  This will give an opportunity for children on both sides of the world to learn about each other.  Thank you to the New Brunswick Government for supporting this year's initiative!

Falls Brook Centre has produced a 20 minute educational video called “Big Steps, Little Feet” that visits the Children’s Parliament in Carleton County and in India.  The video gives an excellent introduction to the program and it is our hope that students will have the opportunity to view it before attending the Children’s Fair.  We have sent a copy as a donation to your school resource library.

 

Dear Grade 4 & 5 Teacher,

Carleton County’s Children’s Parliament is back!  Falls Brook Centre will be offering Carleton County elementary schools the opportunity to participate in a new Children’s Parliament that will will teach democracy and citizenry skills to Grade 4 to 5 students. The Parliament will be modelled after the representational democratic system of our Canadian parliament to increase understanding and involvement in local, provincial and national government systems.  The Children’s Parliament 2006-2007 format will be implemented at the school level with two events that bring together the students from the participating schools.  It is important that there be two staff people willing to support the initiative in collaboration with the Falls Brook Centre education team.

The Children’s Fair is first event of the year and usually takes place within the third week of school. The Children’s Fair launches the Children’s Parliament for the school year. It is a chance to introduce some of the ideas involved in the Parliament to all the students in participating classes in a fun and educational atmosphere. The Children’s Fair is a day of activities at Falls Brook Centre that focuses on democracy, global education and the environment. 

Grades 4 to 5 students from local schools will spend the day on a variety of activities relating to these themes.  Students will need to bring rain clothes, sturdy shoes, drinks for the day and a healthy lunch.  Schools need to be book busses for transportation to this event.  Falls Brook Centre will cover the bussing costs. 

Busses should arrive at Falls Brook Centre at 9:20 AM, with introductions to follow.  From 9:30 until noon, classes will visit three different stations:  Democracy education & communication, sustainable consumption & global interconnectedness, and environmental stewardship. There will be a lunch break from 12:00 to 12:45, during which time the mock election candidates will prepare their speeches.  Then we will proceed with introductions to the election process, speeches, and a visit to the polling stations.  We ask that each teacher bring a class list to help in the voting procedures.  At 1:30, students will gather in the barn to watch a puppet show while votes are being tallied.  The results will be announced and activities wrapped up by 2:00 pm.

Following the fair, classes will organize their own in-school election to form a Children’s Parliament or Student Council modeled after the New Brunswick Provincial Legislature.  There will be 6 meetings throughout the school year, the first two and final meeting with FBC support. A teacher’s Children's Parliament module will be provided to offer suggestions for activities that can be run throughout the school year.

If you have any questions regarding the Children’s Fair or the Children's Parliament Initiative, please do not hesitate to contact us at 375-4310 or email education@fallsbrookcentre.ca.  We look forward to your participation in this exciting event.
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