We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution A Simulated Congressional Hearing

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

Class is divided into six groups. Each of the six groups will become experts in one of the six units.

Mock Congressional Hearing 3 Judges (Congressional Committee) Students assigned to the unit serve as experts testifying before Congress.

Chair of Congressional Committee will lead the proceedings and begin with introductions of judges and unit team. Chair of Congressional Committee (Lead Judge) (Lead Judge) Judges' Panel

Remember to... Announce unit and team code to ensure you have the correct team. Announce unit and team code to ensure you have the correct team. Provide coded score sheets to each judge. Provide coded score sheets to each judge.

? The Hearing ? Judges will select one question from the three questions provided. Judges will select one question from the three questions provided. Read the entire question with subparts*. Read the entire question with subparts*. DO NOT READ the section labeled Follow-up.

*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 Question Sample Unit Question Unit 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 Presentation 4 minutes Students will have 4 minutes to provide their prepared presentation to the question. (Timing will begin when students start to speak.) Students will have 4 minutes to provide their prepared presentation to the question. (Timing will begin when students start to speak.) Judges should not interrupt the students during their prepared presentation. Judges should not interrupt the students during their prepared presentation. Students may use notes. Students may use notes.

Follow Up Questions 6 minutes After the prepared presentation, judges will alternate on asking follow up questions. After the prepared presentation, judges will alternate on asking follow up questions. Follow up questions are provided but you may also ask questions based on the students' presentation. Follow up questions are provided but you may also ask questions based on the students' presentation. Timing begins as the students begins to answer the first question and does not stop for six minutes. Timing begins as the students begins to answer the first question and does not stop for six minutes.

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

The Hearing Part 1: The Prepared Presentation

The Hearing Part 2: The Follow Up

Feedback/Critique Do not tell students their scores Do not tell students their scores Be brief Be brief Strengths and suggestions Strengths and suggestions Example: "I thought you were well prepared," "Your opening statement was thorough," "Everyone participated equally," "The cases you used really strengthened your position," etc.

Scoresheet

Thank you!! For more information on other programs, contact: The Florida Law Related Education Association, Inc.