A fifth grade class at Bluffdale Elementary has spent the last four months learning about the U.S. Constitution. These students were part of a program implemented at the elementary called "We the People."
In 2009, Miss Melanie Fisher, the fifth grade teacher, received a grant to attend James Madison University in Virginia to learn more about the program. Part of the grant included instructions on implementing the "We the People" program in her classroom.
As part of this program, on April 19, the students had a simulated congressional hearing. During the hearing, the students presented and expressed their knowledge about the Constitution, the country's history and the government. The students were judged by a panel of three judges.
These judges included Bluffdale City Mayor Derk Timothy, Principal Ken Westwood and Rep. LaVar Christensen. "By involving these particular judges, it was a phenomenal experience for the students," Fisher said. Fisher said that her students have been diligently studying and preparing for the hearing since January.
"I know that civic education is important in our schools, and I am trying to implement this program in my classroom," she said.
"I think that if we didn't have this education like this, it would really affect our future," Callie Howell, one of the students, said.
"I feel like being more involved in the government now from what I've learned," Addisen Jensen, another student, said.
Many students agreed that the congressional hearing was fun. "They're proud of themselves to see what they've learned," Fisher said.
In 2009, Miss Melanie Fisher, the fifth grade teacher, received a grant to attend James Madison University in Virginia to learn more about the program. Part of the grant included instructions on implementing the "We the People" program in her classroom.
As part of this program, on April 19, the students had a simulated congressional hearing. During the hearing, the students presented and expressed their knowledge about the Constitution, the country's history and the government. The students were judged by a panel of three judges.
These judges included Bluffdale City Mayor Derk Timothy, Principal Ken Westwood and Rep. LaVar Christensen. "By involving these particular judges, it was a phenomenal experience for the students," Fisher said. Fisher said that her students have been diligently studying and preparing for the hearing since January.
"I know that civic education is important in our schools, and I am trying to implement this program in my classroom," she said.
Students participating were asked to dress their best and encouraged to memorize their speeches to help with their presentations.
Fisher also thanked the many volunteers who had helped inside the class room during the past few months.
The primary goal of "We the People" is to promote civic competence and responsibility among the nation's elementary and secondary students. The instructional part of the program is meant to enhance student understanding of the institutions of American constitutional democracy. At the same time, students discover the contemporary relevance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
The culminating activity of the program is the simulated congressional hearing. The students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles to the judges. They also have opportunities to evaluate and defend their positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues.
"I like doing the program and I hope to do it again next year," Fisher said. "It always depends on how receptive the students are. This year they've been great. I love to see them learn and be able to really show what they've learned.""I think that if we didn't have this education like this, it would really affect our future," Callie Howell, one of the students, said.
"I feel like being more involved in the government now from what I've learned," Addisen Jensen, another student, said.
Many students agreed that the congressional hearing was fun. "They're proud of themselves to see what they've learned," Fisher said.
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| Melanie Fisher's fifth grade students participated in a four-month Constitution program. These students include Jordan Lambert, Addisen Jensen, Isabel Page, Logan Brasier, Nickolas Sweet, Dallin Ivie, Gracie Enniss, Hunter Rushton, Bayli Mannek, Whitney Roach, Avery Clark, Maylee Warr, Katelyn Loosli, Rene' Van der Watt, Ethan Roberts, Sterling Gaillard, Conner Hughes, Emily Christensen, McKay Mower, Kynlee Bingham, Kendra Carter, Jace Hazelgren, Jakob Carver, Megan Naylor, Braden Jessop, and Callie Howell. |
By Alisha Tondro for The South Valley
Published in April 2011 in Riverton, Utah
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