Elk Lake sixth graders hold congressional hearings

BY PAT FARNELLI

ElkLaketeacher Julia Chudleigh was looking for a memorable way for her sixth graders to connect with the United States Constitution while studying about federal government during the second marking period.

She found her inspiration in the form of a congressional hearing.

Assigning four to six students per teaching unit, Chudleigh had students investigate the workings of the U.S. government and its most basic document by having them prepare testimony on what the Constitution says about basic rights of citizens, and how the executive, legislative, and judicial branches put these principles into everyday action.

The students wrote short essay answers on specific articles of the constitution, and were prepared to answer questions from judges. Each group, seated at a table in front of the high school auditorium, had an opportunity to demonstrate what the students had learned by reading prepared speeches as well as responding to questions from their examiners.

 

The units dealt with basic questions about government, the framers of the Constitution, how the Constitution protects our basic rights, and the responsibilities of students.

Students read prepared answers in short essay form, then answered questions posed by the judges.

Gary Webber, when asked if all groups of Americans were represented at the convention that designed the constitution, said that they were not. “If the slaves, women and Indians had been at the convention, they might have given themselves the right to vote. Also, slaves could have ended slavery. With only white men representing the entire population, there was a limited point of view to creating the constitution.”

Lacy Marbaker asked, “Our school has release time. Do you think our school is guilty of not separating church and state?”

Students replied that because they can choose whether or not to attend release time classes held by Child Evangelism Fellowship, those children remaining in the classroom are not affected.

Susquehanna County District Attorney Jason Legg on Wednesday praised the framers of the Constitution, saying that they were exceptional men who composed a document that granted rights to all individuals.

Wyoming County District Attorney Jeff Mitchell on Thursday explained how his work as an enforcer of the law directly relates to the design of our government and our Constitutional rights.

Students who completed their assignments were rewarded with certificates of participation, and those whose work passed the criteria for excellence received certificates of achievement.