Town Hall Meeting

What is it?
The purpose of town hall meetings is to provide a space for community
members to share their perspective on a topic of concern. In this format,
different perspectives are often shared as people from different backgrounds
and experiences take the floor. This activity gives students the opportunity to
focus on one specific perspective of a situation (whether or not they agree
with it), research it, then share it with the class. When they share the
perspective they learned about, it gives all students a broader scope of
peoples opinions.
How does it work?
I.

II.

Preparation
a. Group students evenly into the four perspectives of the school
garden
i. Students
ii. School staff (teachers, administrators, groundskeepers,
etc.)
iii. Parents
iv. Neighbors of the school
Researching the perspective groups
a. Students can interview their perspective group
i. Students- interview students from various grades
ii. School staff- interview teachers, administrators,
groundskeepers, etc.
iii. Parents- students can interview their own parents
iv. Neighbors of the school/community members- this is
probably best done via email
b. Questions can include, but are not limited to:
i. What rights do we have that entitle us to a school garden?
1. (Why should we have it)
ii. Whose responsibility is it to build and maintain the garden?
iii. Does the garden meet any community needs or wants? If
so, what?
iv. How will this affect students, school staff (teachers,
administration, groundskeepers, etc.), parents, and
neighbors (the community)?
1. (multiple perspectives)
v. What hours should the garden maintain? Should it be open
to everyone at all times?
vi. Students should be encouraged to produce their own
questions

III.

IV.

V.

c. After interviewing, students should discuss what they found

i. What are they main ideas this groups presented?
ii. Why are these ideas relevant or important?
iii. How might the perspective influence the ideas expressed?
d. One student from each group should be appointed to speak for
their group at the meeting.
Town Hall discussion, Part 1: Summaries
a. Arrange tables or desks to look similar to a town hall meeting
i. Speakers are up front, in a panel, but sitting at
tables/desks
ii. All other students sit facing the presenters
b. Each student sharing a perspective has the opportunity to share
3-5 main points that their group agreed upon
Town Hall discussion, Part 2: Questions and comments
a. Once all points of view have been presented, give all other
students the opportunity to ask questions or comment on what
theyve heard
b. The panel or teacher can select students to speak. They should
come to the front of the class before the panel to ask their
question.
Debrief
a. Send students back to their seats
b. Each student will receive/make a tree map, explaining the 3-5
main points of each of the other perspectives.