03 Let’s Improve the Rules
/03 Let’s Improve the Rules
*Michael was a cheerful boy who enjoyed spending time with his friends during club activities at school.
/*Michael was a cheerful boy who enjoyed spending time with his friends during club activities at school.
However, there were some old rules in the club that sometimes caused problems for everyone.
/However, there were some old rules in the club that sometimes caused problems for everyone.
For example, there was a rule that allowed playing only in certain areas during lunch break, and the popular spots were always crowded.
/For example, there was a rule that allowed playing only in certain areas during lunch break, and the popular spots were always crowded.
Meanwhile, the large schoolyard was rarely used, and *Michael thought, “If we change this rule a little, maybe everyone could have more fun.”
/Meanwhile, the large schoolyard was rarely used, and *Michael thought, “If we change this rule a little, maybe everyone could have more fun.”
One day, during club activities, the teacher asked, “Is there anything you’d like to improve so everyone can enjoy the activities more comfortably?”
/One day, during club activities, the teacher asked, “Is there anything you’d like to improve so everyone can enjoy the activities more comfortably?”
*Michael bravely raised his hand and suggested, “I’d like to improve the rules about where we can play during lunch break.”
/*Michael bravely raised his hand and suggested, “I’d like to improve the rules about where we can play during lunch break.”
Then the teacher asked, “Specifically, what kind of improvements are you thinking about?”
/Then the teacher asked, “Specifically, what kind of improvements are you thinking about?”
*Michael replied, “How about using more of the schoolyard space so everyone has more places to play freely?”
/*Michael replied, “How about using more of the schoolyard space so everyone has more places to play freely?”
Some friends said, “But if we use the big area, I’m worried about whether we can play safely.”
/Some friends said, “But if we use the big area, I’m worried about whether we can play safely.”
So *Michael listened to everyone’s opinions and added, “If we make rules for the schoolyard and have teachers or groups watch over us, we can play safely.”
/So *Michael listened to everyone’s opinions and added, “If we make rules for the schoolyard and have teachers or groups watch over us, we can play safely.”
The teacher liked the idea and started a discussion with the club members to think about specific rules.
/The teacher liked the idea and started a discussion with the club members to think about specific rules.
New rules about how to use the schoolyard were created.
/New rules about how to use the schoolyard were created.
Rules like “Respect each other’s space,” “Do warm-up exercises before playing,” and “Designate areas for teachers to watch over” were added.
/Rules like “Respect each other’s space,” “Do warm-up exercises before playing,” and “Designate areas for teachers to watch over” were added.
Once the new rules were implemented, everyone could play more happily and safely than before.
/Once the new rules were implemented, everyone could play more happily and safely than before.
*Michael was praised by his friends, who said, “That was a great idea!”
/*Michael was praised by his friends, who said, “That was a great idea!”
And he felt in his heart, “It’s amazing how great things can happen when everyone shares ideas and works to improve together.”
/And he felt in his heart, “It’s amazing how great things can happen when everyone shares ideas and works to improve together.”
That night, *Michael told his mother,
/That night, *Michael told his mother,
“Today, we improved the club rules together. When everyone thinks together, better rules can be made.”
/“Today, we improved the club rules together. When everyone thinks together, better rules can be made.”
His mother smiled and said, “Don’t forget that feeling, and keep thinking for everyone’s sake from now on.”
/His mother smiled and said, “Don’t forget that feeling, and keep thinking for everyone’s sake from now on.”
Review Questions
/Review Questions
What was the problem with the lunch break rule that *Michael wanted to improve?
/What was the problem with the lunch break rule that *Michael wanted to improve?
a. Popular spots were crowded, and the large schoolyard was hard to use
/a. Popular spots were crowded, and the large schoolyard was hard to use
b. Lunch break was too short
/b. Lunch break was too short
c. There weren’t enough play tools
/c. There weren’t enough play tools
What new rule was added based on *Michael’s suggestion?
/What new rule was added based on *Michael’s suggestion?
a. A rule to freely use the schoolyard with a system to ensure safety
/a. A rule to freely use the schoolyard with a system to ensure safety
b. A rule to eliminate lunch break
/b. A rule to eliminate lunch break
c. A rule to sit quietly during lunch break
/c. A rule to sit quietly during lunch break
Let’s Think!
/Let’s Think!
Why do you think better ideas came up when everyone discussed *Michael’s new rule suggestion?
/Why do you think better ideas came up when everyone discussed *Michael’s new rule suggestion?
Also, is there anything you’d like to improve at your school or home?
/Also, is there anything you’d like to improve at your school or home?
What do you think you can do to make group life more comfortable?
/What do you think you can do to make group life more comfortable?
Let’s think about how you can take action.
/Let’s think about how you can take action.
