Students negotiate their social studies classroom curriculum, enhancing 21st century skills, citizenship education and human rights in the present study. Curriculum negotiation augments student engagement, giving them opportunities to practice and so experience citizenship. In the process students develop abilities related to 21st century skills and skills for democratic citizenship while exercising their right to participate. Students involved in curriculum design improve the quality of the curriculum by making it more relevant as they offer unique perspectives on topics to be later addressed in class.