Hands on learning at its best!  Can you learn a lot about a country  through research?  Yes.  Can you learn about the UN through research?  Yes.  Does it compare with modeling a real United Nations Summit in New York with 800 other students from around the world at the UN?  No!  As RMA kids would say, “doing things for real” is far more meaningful. 

After months of research and preparation, nine Riverstone Elementary students, families and their teacher headed to New York City for a Model United Nations Summit during which we represented the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Topics debated were:  Rehabilitation of Child Soldiers, Preparedness for Avian Bird Flu Pandemic, Water Quality and Sustainable Development, Iraqi Refugees,  Internally Displaced People, Universal Primary Education, and Post-conflict Peace Building.

The students were part of a “caucus.”  They debated their points of view with other student UN delegates, gathering votes for their resolutions, and offering their signatures to other schools’ convincing delegates.  The students met UN officials and actual delegates from other countries.  Many students continue to participate in the Model United Nations, year after year, and some fo

llow this interest into politics as young adults.  This hands-on, real-life experience will live on in Riverstone Montessori students’ memories forever.  Who knows, perhaps one day, in the not-too-distant future, one of our students will hold political office!