Congressional Hearing Cutout "Friend" Activity

Students Make the Case for Universal Basic Education

Global Campaign for Education

Objective: Each student will create a cutout "friend" with a message about the importance of universal primary education. Alternative: The class will create one life-size friend cutout and have all members of the class sign it as a petition. These cutouts will be delivered or sent to members of Congress with a message about the importance of universal primary education.

Steps for Making the Cutout "Friend":

• Using paper, card, cloth, newspaper, old packaging or other materials, have students draw the shape of a human figure and cut it out.
   
• Students will decide who the cutout will represent—it could be a child you know who needs an education, one of the children in the case studies, or a fictional child from any country that isn't able to go to primary school.
   
• Organize a class debate or discussion about the specific messages to be sent to congressional leaders:
   
  • The message might start with the words, "Send my friend to school so that …" Students can state why it is important for their "friend" to be able to go to school. It can be supported by facts and statistics.
     
  • Include core messages like: "Educate [Name of friend] to End Poverty," "Educate [Name] to Fight AIDS," "Educate [Name] to Stop Child Labor," "Educate [Name] to Empower Women."
     
  • Urge the United States to play more of a leadership role in the fight against poverty and ensure that all the world's children go to school.
     
• On the back of the cutout, please write the "Global Friend of Education" pledge:

  The Global Friend of Education Pledge
  We are [I am] sending my friend to make the case for education for all children. Please pledge your commitment to take action in 2006 so that all of our friends get a quality education.

  
   
• Write the name(s) and address of those who made each "friend" on the back.
   
• Display the "friend" in school.
   
• Take or send the "friends" to your district congressional offices. The ‘"friends" should be accompanied with the following message:
   

Dear Senator _____: or Dear Representative _____:
Over 100 million school-age children in the world have never set foot in a classroom. The United States needs to contribute its fair share, with other industrialized nations, to realize this basic human right to education. It is our responsibility. Please show your commitment in Congress for basic education by allocating $650 million for next year's budget, FY-07, of which $500 million can be taken from the Development Assistance Account.

Thank you. The world's children will benefit from your actions.

To locate the district offices of your member of Congress and senators, visit these Web sites:

United States House of Representatives
United States Senate

Tell us about your posters and activities! oir@nea.org

Related Resources

» Congressional Hearing Activity - Activity idea from Global Campaign for Education.

» Congressional Hearing Poster Activity - Activity idea from Global Campaign for Education.

» Global Campaign for Education - Web site.