Lessons Learned Through Self Government As a sophomore in high school, I am required to take American History for my history credit. I have always loved history, and especially the history of our nation, but this class completely changed my view on government and human nature. On the very first day of class my teacher, Mrs. Denton made it very clear that period 4B history was now under what she called “Teacher’s Rules.” As part of the curriculum she developed a simulation replicating what the American colonies experienced with Britain. Mrs. Denton was the queen and we were her royal subjects. The class was divided into colonies. Mrs. Denton appointed a parliament, and started establishing laws. At first these laws were simple classroom rules with strict consequences. For example, if you got out of your chair without permission, you had to sit at the front of the room. I was fine with these rules, because they kept a focused learning environment. Soon, these rules extended to bein