We the People: The We the People: The Citizen and the Citizen and the

ConstitutionConstitution

A Simulated Congressional A Simulated Congressional HearingHearing

Students study a Students study a six unit text on the six unit text on the U.S. Constitution U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. and Bill of Rights.

Class is divided into Class is divided into six groups. six groups.

Each of the six groups will Each of the six groups will become experts in one of become experts in one of the six units. the six units.

Mock Congressional HearingMock Congressional Hearing

3 Judges

(Congressional Committee)

Students assigned to the

unit serve as experts

testifying before Congress.

Chair of Congressional Committee will Chair of Congressional Committee will lead the proceedings and begin with lead the proceedings and begin with introductions of judges and unit team. introductions of judges and unit team.

Chair of Chair of Congressional Congressional Committee Committee

(Lead Judge)(Lead Judge)

Judges' Panel

Remember to...Remember to...

Announce unit and team code to Announce unit and team code to ensure you have the correct team.ensure you have the correct team.

Provide coded score sheets to each Provide coded score sheets to each judge.judge.

? The Hearing ?? The Hearing ?

Judges will select one question from Judges will select one question from the three questions provided.the three questions provided.

Read the entire question with Read the entire question with subparts*.subparts*.

DO NOT READ the section labeled DO NOT READ the section labeled Follow-up.Follow-up.

*Special Instructions**Special Instructions* Team D will need the questions read separately. For

example: Statement: Most nations have a constitution, but they do

not all have constitutional governments. Question: How might people organize a constitutional

government to prevent the abuse of power? ALLOW STUDENTS TO RESPOND

Question: Give an example of a nation in today’s world that you think is a constitutional government. Give reasons for your choice.

ALLOW STUDENTS TO RESPOND

Instructions/reminders are provided on the folder containing their score sheets.

Sample Unit QuestionSample Unit QuestionUnit Three: How Did the Values and Principles Embodied in the

Constitution Shape American Institutions and Practices?

1. “The Framers intended an independent judiciary but also an accountable one, a separate branch of government, but one embedded in a set of institutions that provided important checks and balances.”* How does the Constitution provide for a judiciary which is at once independent and accountable?

• What other institutions provide important checks and balances and how do they do that?

• How well have the goals the Framers set for the judiciary been achieved? What evidence can you offer to support your position?

* Mann, Thomas E. and Norman J. Ornstein. The Broken Branch. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006, p. 41.

Prepared PresentationPrepared Presentation4 minutes4 minutes

Students will have 4 minutes to provide Students will have 4 minutes to provide their prepared presentation to the their prepared presentation to the question. (Timing will begin when question. (Timing will begin when students start to speak.)students start to speak.)

Judges should not interrupt the students Judges should not interrupt the students during their prepared presentation. during their prepared presentation.

Students may use notes.Students may use notes.

Follow Up QuestionsFollow Up Questions6 minutes6 minutes

After the prepared presentation, After the prepared presentation, judges will alternate on asking follow judges will alternate on asking follow up questions. up questions.

Follow up questions are provided but Follow up questions are provided but you may also ask questions based on you may also ask questions based on the students' presentation. the students' presentation.

Timing begins as the students begins Timing begins as the students begins to answer the first question and does to answer the first question and does not stop for six minutes. not stop for six minutes.

ConclusionConclusion

When time has concluded, judges will When time has concluded, judges will thank the students and provide a thank the students and provide a brief, general critique. brief, general critique.

The HearingThe Hearing

Part 1: The Prepared PresentationPart 1: The Prepared Presentation

The HearingThe Hearing

Part 2: The Follow UpPart 2: The Follow Up

Feedback/CritiqueFeedback/Critique

Do not tell students their scoresDo not tell students their scores Be briefBe brief Strengths and suggestionsStrengths and suggestions

Example: "I thought you were well Example: "I thought you were well prepared," "Your opening statement prepared," "Your opening statement was thorough," "Everyone participated was thorough," "Everyone participated equally," "The cases you used really equally," "The cases you used really strengthened your position," etc.strengthened your position," etc.

ScoresheetScoresheet

Thank you!!Thank you!!

For more information on other For more information on other programs, contact:programs, contact:

The Florida Law Related Education The Florida Law Related Education Association, Inc. Association, Inc.

http://www.flrea.orghttp://www.flrea.org

850-386-8223850-386-8223