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Article Source: The Positive Observer
 Over the last several months, a series of questions were presented to several school administrators, teachers and parents from different geographic areas around the United States. The questions were then given to students grades 1st through 12th to answer.
Purpose of the Exercise: To gather perspectives and insights from today's youth. Children come into the world without preconceived judgments and belief systems. The early years of our youth are less conditioned by media, government and other structured entities; therefore they offer the "adult world" a more simplistic, objective and holistic viewpoint on life and the events taking place around the globe.
Over the next several months, we will highlight a particular question(s) and post the different youth responses on our website and monthly newsletter. The range and degree of responses varies with each child. From the very literal to the very abstract, their responses will make you smile, question and approach the selected topics from new directions. Consider these outlooks and apply them to your own world. Share the questions and topics with your own children and discover their world.
Please Participate: We hope that many of you, especially our younger viewers, will add your own responses and insights. We continue to gather responses from our readers.
Teachers are currently building forums and discussions around selected topics. Some classrooms are using the material for writer workshops, art projects or content for year-end student portfolios. Still others are connecting with other classrooms in their districts, other states or other countries to compare and contrast viewpoints.
Parents can use this opportunity to gain a better understanding of their child. Whether in the classroom or in the home, the questions and responses are a way of teaching to, learning from and understanding our kids. In turn, kids have the opportunity to express their outlooks on paper, therefore giving added clarity to what they are currently feeling, seeing and thinking about themselves and the world they live in.
Send Responses:
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(Please, no names. Just provide grade, city and state).
Thank you to everyone that has already participated in the program...
YOUTH QUESTIONS:
Curiosity: What happens when you allow yourself to be curious and explore new situations? What happens when you don't allow yourself to be curious?
Global Community: Describe. How would you build a "bridge" to strengthen Global Community? What would it look like?
Communicating With Others: If you were to write a song or poem for the rest of the world, one that has a message which everyone could benefit from:
- What would the first 4 lines be?
- What type (genre) of song or poem would it be?
Peacekeeping: What does peacekeeping look, sound and feel like? How can you establish peaceful solutions?
Play: How do you know when you have played well and hard? What is the best way to have fun and play?
Money - Currency: Describe what money represents to you? Could money look like something else? If so, what could it be?
Anger: What is the purpose and intention of anger? How do you know when you have it? How do you change it to something softer? How do you make it go away?
Diversity: Different ethnic cultures, backgrounds, likes - dislikes, beliefs, etc. How do you understand and appreciate someone different than you?
Human Rights: Human Rights are basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled. What do you consider to be the 5 most important rights or freedoms for a human to have? Why is each answer important?
Life Skills and Attitudes: What life skills and attitudes are needed, desired or really important to you? Why?
Accountability: How can a person take ownership of their actions and hold themselves accountable?
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