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

2. 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)

3. 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!

4. “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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. Parent Training Video

8. 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

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

10. Unit Questions
Follow-up Questions

11. Student Resource Books
Resources for Students and Parents:
Optional
Many schools use social studies notebooks or folders

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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?

15. 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

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

17. 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

18. Overview of Content

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

20. 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

21. Questions? Contact our Office: Coordinator, Elementary Social Studies
Resource Teacher, Elementary Social Studies