We the People
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
Mock Congressional Hearings
The primary goal of We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program is to promote civic competence and responsibility among students. The program includes:
- an instructional component, focused on enhancing students’ understanding of the institutions of American constitutional democracy and discovering the contemporary relevance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and
- a culminating activity of a simulated congressional hearing in which students “testify” before a panel of judges. Students demonstrate their understanding of constitutional principles and have opportunities to evaluate, take, and defend positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues.
Mock Congressional Hearing: Tuesday, April 30
Hearing Questions 2019 (English)
Hearing Questions 2019 (Spanish)
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Daily Agenda
Monday, April 1 (Introduction + Teams Created)
What are the "We the People" mock Congressional Hearings?
HW: None
Tuesday, April 2 (Research Day 1)
Introduction Powerpoint (watch a "We the People" mock Congressional Hearing)
- Units 1-6, Source 1 Note Catchers = Research Time
-Unit 1 Source 1, Unit 2 Source 1, Unit 3 Source 1, Unit 4 Source 1, Unit 5 Source 1, Unit 6 Source 1
Thursday, April 4 (Research Day 2)
How to Learn About Your Topic/Unit Hearing Questions
- Opening Statement Editing Tools and Sample = How to Write a Knock-Out Opening Statement
- Units 1-6, Source 2 Note Catchers (different format) = Research Time
-Unit 1 Source 2, Unit 2 Source 2, Unit 3 Source 2, Unit 4 Source 2, Unit 5 Source 2, Unit 6 Source 2
HW: Edit Sample Opening Statement using Editing Tools (due Monday, April 5)
Friday, April 5 (Team Building; Research Day 3)
What skills do team members bring to the project?
- Build A Bridge...earn prizes!
HW: Edit Sample Opening Statement using Editing Tools (due Monday, April 5)
Monday, April 8 (Opening Statement Review; Team Research)
- Opening Statement: Whole-Class Review
- Teams: What Are Your Questions Asking? What Research Do You Have to Answer the Questions? What Information do you Need?
- Research Time:
-Optional Source #3: Unit 1 also Unit 1; Unit 2 also Unit 2; Unit 3: Unit 4; Unit 5; Unit 6 also Unit 6
HW: None...PSAT
Tuesday, April 9: NO SCHOOL/TESTING
Wednesday, April 10: PSAT9
Thursday, April 11 (Opening Statement Tip Sheet + Research Time)
- Tip Sheet Sample + How to Use Your Unit's Tip Sheet for your Opening Statement
...Unit "Tip Sheets:" Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 5, Unit 6
- Research and Collaboration Time with Groups
HW: 4 pieces of Evidence (per group member), fully researched....due Friday 4/12
Friday, April 12 (Group Collaboration + Write Opening Statement)
- Group Collaboration + Write Opening Statement (group GoogleDoc)
HW: Opening Statement First Draft due Friday, April 12 (Midnight)
Monday, April 15 (Follow-Up Questions)
- Follow-Up Questions for each Unit Assigned + Individual Work Time
...Unit Follow-Up Questions for all Units ...each group member choose 1 to research
HW: Research 1 Follow-Up Question; bring research and evidence Tuesday
Tuesday, April 16 (Opening Statement Revisions_
- Editing Tips (via GoogleDocs)
- Work Time: Opening Statement Edits and Additions
HW: Complete Opening Statement Edits and Additions (due Thursday)