Week 33 · Term Four · Shared resources, rights, rules and change
Model the tragedy of the commons with a pond that regrows 20% a year and the real collapse of Newfoundland’s cod, learn how Elinor Ostrom showed villages can share well, read the Bill of Rights, build a fair penalty ladder, and write a charter that can be amended.
Monday finds the catch that keeps a pond alive. Tuesday studies Ostrom’s rules for lasting commons. Wednesday reads the rights a constitution promises. Thursday builds fair enforcement. Friday writes a commons charter with a way to change it.
25 minutes
Economics · When everyone takes a little more
Model a shared resource with percent growth, find the catch that keeps it steady, and explain why it can collapse even when nobody means harm.
Make
A pond model
Report handoff: The pond model is filed. Tomorrow a Nobel Prize winner shows how real villages solved this.
25 minutes
Government · How real communities share
Explain the design principles that help communities manage shared resources, and use evidence to test a famous idea.
Make
A principles card
Report handoff: The principles card is filed. Tomorrow you look at the rights a community promises its members.
25 minutes
Civics · Rights a community promises
Read a founding document closely, identify the rights it protects, and explain why a community writes rights down.
Make
A rights list
Report handoff: The rights list is filed. Tomorrow you decide what happens when someone breaks the rules.
25 minutes
Government · Fair enforcement
Compare ways to enforce rules, and argue for a fair, step-by-step system of penalties.
Make
An enforcement plan
Report handoff: The enforcement plan is filed. Tomorrow you write the whole charter, including how to change it.
30 minutes
Writing · A charter that can grow
Write a founding document for a shared resource that defines rights, rules, enforcement and a fair process for change.
Make
A commons charter
Report handoff: The commons charter is filed. Your week's report is ready for the portfolio.
The commons constitution uses only work entered here. It is a family record of this week’s work, not a grade, an attendance record, or proof of mastery.
