Teaching Strategies
Graphic Organizers (Preamble to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights)
After learning about the Preamble to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, students will complete graphic organizers in order to modernize and simplify these documents. The graphic organizers are serve as a method of review before engaging students in any form of discussion, and before expanding upon any prior lesson.
Cooperative Learning (How a Bill becomes a Law)
Students will model how a bill becomes a law, by simulating how a bill makes its way through the House, Senate, and the President’s desk, possibly with a component highlighting judicial review. This activity allows students to experience a rudimentary concept of how the three branches of government work. In addition, this activity will mimic the debating and compromising our elected officials face when legislating a bill.
Classroom Discussions (The First Amendment and Free Speech)
Classroom discussions covering the First Amendment and what constitutes free speech are excellent ways for students to critically reflect upon the cooperative learning activities. Also, classroom discussions allow students who may have missed critical information another opportunity to learn.
Inquiry-Based Learning (Mock Election)
The unit will culminate with students participating in a mock election, during which students are to observe and study the mock election, in order to formulate an argument as to whether spending money on a political campaign constitutes free speech. Students will review what they have learned in the previous lessons before donating to campaigns so candidates may buy advertisements and qualify for future debates. After the election has concluded, students will draw upon their experiences and what they have learned to respond to an opinion-based writing prompt concerning whether money in fact is a form of free speech.
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