Howard County Public Schools’ Simulated Congressional Hearing (SCH) Parent/Volunteer/Coaches Training REVISED for 2017 Parent Training Welcome everyone Introduce yourself

Welcome! Introductions Video Basics Your role as a Coach Tips Questions Please share: Your name Your child’s name and homeroom Your experience with Congressional Hearings or Simulated Congressional Hearings (SCH)

Qualifications for Volunteers/Coaches Be supportive and encouraging Provide positive feedback Work in collaboration with teachers and others -This is ALL you need to know. -If parents have other friends that are interested, please invite them to recruit additional judges No EXPERTISE needed!

“Congressional Committee” “Expert Witnesses” What is a SCH? Performance Based Assessment Simulated Congressional Hearing (SCH) is the culminating activity for fifth grade social studies in the Howard County Public School System. Throughout the year, students study four units of instruction: The American Revolution, Building a New Nation, A Nation in Conflict and We the People. The SCH is an authentic, performance-based assessment where students demonstrate their understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Students display their expertise on topics ranging from colonial life and government to the contemporary rights and responsibilities of citizens in our country.   Today, students will assume the role of constitutional experts. The students will present prepared oral statements before a panel of simulated congressional committee members (“judges”). Following the formal presentations, students respond to follow-up questions from the panel. Student groups are evaluated on these criteria: understanding, constitutional application, reasoning, supporting evidence, responsiveness, and participation. The original format and content of the SCH was developed by the Center for Civic Education as a culminating activity for the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program, a nationally acclaimed civic education program administered by the Center for Civic Education and funded by the U.S. Department of Education. It was established in 1987 under the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution.

4 Units of Study Why did we go to war? How did the history and beliefs of the framers influence the creation of the constitution? How did Maryland meet the challenges of the 19th century? How can you be a responsible citizen? Students share their expertise on their knowledge on one of the 4 units Be sure to emphasize that ALL students regardless of reading level, English speaking ability, or special needs will participate to the fullest extent that they are able. We modify the program the same way we modify day-to-day classwork but hold all students to a high level of expectation School Participation: When discussing how other grades MAY choose to participate. Emphasize that these are just examples of how other schools have incorporated the entire school to get everyone excited. However, each school can make the event as large or small as they like. This program is designed to be tailored to the needs and personality of each school community. THESE CAN BE CHANGED

Why Conduct a SCH? Performance Based Assessment Engages and Motivates Rigorous and Challenging Builds Disciplinary Literacy Encourages Community Involvement Authentic Examples Positive Experience Never to be Forgotten! Be sure to speak from the heart here. Share any experiences or quotes you have heard. The SCH is an authentic, performance-based assessment where students demonstrate their understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Students display their expertise on topics ranging from colonial life and government to the contemporary rights and responsibilities of citizens in our country.

Parent Training Video http://hcpsstv.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=843

What is a typical schedule for the Day of the SCH? Judges Training Opening Ceremony Hearings in Classrooms 4 minute prepared speech 6 minute follow-up questions Lunch Roundtable Discussions Between Judges & Students Closing Ceremony This is full day event- specific times will be determined later

Grouping Mrs. Smith’s Class Unit 3 Unit 1 Unit 4 Unit 2 Unit 5 Many grouping options Mrs. Smith’s Class

Unit Questions Follow-up Questions

Student Resource Books Resources for Students and Parents: http://sch.hcpss.org/resources Optional Many schools use social studies notebooks or folders

Controversial Issues: Policy 8050 Remember that all issues must be AGE APPROPRIATE. You must be able to fairly present all sides of an issue. Please keep personal opinions about controversial issues to yourself when in the classroom. Work in collaboration with the teacher. Be aware there is a policy and to follow teacher/Team leader direction

Tips for the Prepared Statement Work in Collaboration with the teacher. Remind students that the prepared oral statement should… Have a strong, interesting beginning that will grab audience’s attention. Answer all the assigned unit questions. Display an expert understanding of how the U.S. Constitution relates to the unit. Include supporting evidence in the form of historical facts and current events. Use correct capitalization, usage of grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Last no longer than four minutes when read aloud. Teachers should guide this and let parents/coaches know how they can support

Tips for Follow-up questions Encourage full explanations Help locate relevant current events Encourage all students to share their findings/opinions ? Why?Why?Why? -Ask Why and What does this have to do with the Constitution over and over again? http://sch.hcpss.org/parents_students

Tips for The Presentation Creative introductions  “Secret” Signal  Professional language Facilitate a discussion on: How can the students appear and act professional How can the students look like a team? Welcome everyone Introduce yourself

Tips to Prepare for Presentation Make sure each group member has: A highlighted copy of speech “Study guide” for the follow-up questions

Helpful Hints…from parents  Remain positive and encouraging as you work with the students  Remember that each student is unique and has their own strengths  Positive ideas trump negative feedback  Encourage all students to participate  Facilitate and help students to work cooperatively  Encourage discussion of current events related to their questions. From parents shared with us (carefully read each one) -Pretend like you enjoy the topic! -All students have strengths -Classroom management - we need your help with this. Another group is goofing off (redirect the students) -Friends: If they can’t coach, tell them to just discuss current events at home - helps A LOT!! -Help child read their speech aloud (being as loud as possible) - One parent vacuumed while daughter read the speech to make sure it was loud enough

Overview of Content

Resources for Parents: http://sch.hcpss.org/resources

Volunteer Roles Decorations Set-up / Clean-up Food Appreciation Event Volunteer Coach Team rep will orchestrate these things - if you’re interested, they might need help with these

Questions? Contact our Office: Coordinator, Elementary Social Studies Kimberly_Eggborn@hcpss.org 410-313-5678 Resource Teacher, Elementary Social Studies Kelly_Davis@hcpss.org 410-313-6642