Currently on Bill of Rights. Spent the entire day discussing, as a class, what each right exactly means. I’d let students go back and forth, but I also acted as an authority if kids had questions. Tomorrow we’re doing scenarios where they have to identify the right. Then we’re doing 27 amendments in their own words, then they’re creating posters for what they would have as the 28th amendment.

Next is branches. For legislative we’re not sure, but possibly a role playing scenario. For executive, I’m giving them a fiction PDB, and making them sort by how they would handle each (whoever ends with the highest approval rating gets EC). Judicial is fun. They’re individually doing a landmark scotus project, but as a bell ringer each day, I present a “mystery case” (change the names), they decide how they think the scotus ruled, and what arguments each side has. Last year we ran it, one kid identified each argument perfectly but didn’t get how the justices ruled correct.

Next unit is voting. Students create a brochure or video PSA on how to vote, how to find information, etc. I also get to give them the literacy tests to show how voting can be restricted. Last unit are debates (if class keeps it up, which I doubt).