Pre-Semester Prep

Prior to your first class there are a few materials that you will need to prepare

• Public Display:  Identify a space for public display of information.  Ideally one or two full sized bulletin boards that can be easily accessed by students during and between classes (not in one of your classrooms).  See examples of public displays including a billboard for the political spectrum, a space for elections/leadership and a space for bill topics.

• Committee Hearing Date and Space:  Identify a date for the Committee Hearings and a space large enough to hold committee hearings.  Each committee should have 15-20 students, space permitting.  The school library an ideal location, but requires an agreement with the library staff that access to the rest of the student body is limited during the committee hearings.  Classrooms can be used, but are less ideal because they make supervision more difficult.  Some schools may have another space but be aware of acoustics because it can be hard to hear with multiple committees running concurrently.  (See photos: Example Committee 1, Example Committee 2)

• Name Placards: Create name placards for each student in the class.  These will be used daily, and should be printed on cardstock so that they are durable.  Each placard should be folded horizontally, and one side should say "Rep. John Smith" in font that is legible from across the room.(See example: Placards ).  

• Master Roster: Create a spreadsheet that includes all classes.  This should list the name of each student, their teacher, and class period.  More infomration will be added later in the semester.   Eventually this will be shared with certain students through a google doc.

• Attendance Record: Create a spreadsheet for each class that lists the name of each student alphabetically by last name, with a space for the Clerk to write the date at the top and call roll each day. This will be used for Roll Call at the start of class and should be stored in location accessible to the classroom clerk.

• Voting Record:  Create another spreadsheet (like the attendence record) for each class that serves as the voting log.  At the top leave a space for the clerk to note the name of the resolution, and to mark down how each member votes.  This should also be stored with the Attendance Record spreadsheet.

• Personal Voting Logs: You will  want to have students record how they vote on each classroom resolution, as a formative assessment, for future reflection and as a resource for later formative and summative assessment. Make copies for each student.  

• Seating Arrangement: Arrange desks in a U shape, to maximize the ability of students to see each other as they speak, while making sure that they also face the Chair.  Use chairs or desks at the front of the room for the Chair (initially the teacher) and for the classroom Clerk.  

• Field Trip:  Arrange for an in school field trip for the Committee Hearing (1 full day) and Full Session ( two Half Days).  

• Website:  Set up a website including a web forum that all students will be able to access.  You can use this for online discussion, and you will need to use it later to post bills and information about the Committee Hearings.  Ideally all students would be able to access what others post (across classes) and upload documents.