Legislative Lab: Crafting Change for Our Future

10th Grade

Project
6 weeks

Legislative Lab: Crafting Change for Our Future

Debra Rigsby

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to empower 10th-grade students to actively engage in the legislative process by researching, drafting, and advocating for a bill or amendment. Over six weeks, students will develop a deep understanding of civic responsibilities and the complexities of lawmaking. By collaborating with community partners, including legislators, law schools, and civic organizations, students will gain insights into the legislative process and the importance of civic participation. Through peer reviews and revisions, they will refine their proposals to ensure clarity and feasibility. The project culminates in the creation of a bill or amendment, a digital advocacy campaign, and participation in a mock legislative session, providing students with practical experience in crafting and promoting legislative solutions.

Learning goals

In this project, students will learn how to research, draft, and propose legislative bills or amendments, understanding the intricacies of the legislative process. They will develop skills in legal writing and research, critical thinking, and civic engagement. Through collaboration with community partners, students will gain real-world insights into the legislative process and the importance of civic responsibilities. They will enhance their communication skills by creating digital campaigns and participating in mock legislative sessions, where they will practice debating and voting on their proposals. This project also emphasizes peer collaboration and feedback, fostering a deeper understanding of how to create impactful and feasible legislative solutions.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
C3 Framework for Social Studies - D2.Civ.4.9-12: Explain how the U.S. Constitution establishes a system of government that has powers, responsibilities, and limits that have changed over time and that are still contested.

Products

In this project, students will produce several key outcomes. First, they will draft a bill or amendment that addresses a specific community issue, demonstrating their understanding of the legislative process and their ability to propose viable solutions. Additionally, students will create a digital campaign, utilizing a website or social media platform to share their legislative proposals, gather public support, and engage in meaningful discussions with a broader audience. To culminate their learning experience, students will participate in a mock legislative session, where they will role-play as legislators, debate their bills or amendments, and simulate the voting process, providing them with a practical understanding of how laws are made and passed. These activities will not only enhance their research and writing skills but also foster civic engagement and critical thinking.

Launch

To launch the project, organize a "Civic Engagement Day" at the school. Invite a panel of community leaders, local legislators, and representatives from civic engagement organizations to speak about the importance of civic participation and the legislative process. Begin with a keynote address from a local legislator who can share a personal story about how a bill they authored made a positive impact in the community. Follow this with breakout sessions where students can engage in small group discussions with panelists, asking questions and gaining insights into the real-world challenges and opportunities in lawmaking. Conclude the day with a collaborative brainstorming session where students identify key community issues they are passionate about, setting the stage for their bill creation process. This immersive experience will inspire students and provide a strong foundation for their project work.

Exhibition

To effectively showcase the students' work and celebrate their learning, organize a "Civic Engagement Showcase" event. This event can be held at the school or a local community center. Invite community partners, local legislators, family members, and other stakeholders to attend. During the showcase, students can present their bills or amendments through interactive displays, digital campaigns, and presentations. Set up stations for each student group where they can explain their research process, the issues their bills address, and the solutions they propose. Include a session where students conduct a mock legislative debate, allowing attendees to witness the legislative process in action. Encourage feedback and discussion from the audience, providing students with real-world perspectives and further validation of their efforts. This exhibition not only highlights students' understanding of the legislative process but also emphasizes the importance of civic participation and advocacy.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Civic Engagement Day - Organize and participate in the kickoff event with keynote speakers and breakout sessions.	Activity 2: Introduction to the Legislative Process - Provide an overview of how laws are made and the roles of different legislative bodies.	Activity 3: Identifying Community Issues - Students brainstorm and research local community issues they are passionate about.	Activity 4: Understanding Bills and Amendments - Teach students the basic components of a bill or amendment.	Activity 5: Group Formation and Initial Research - Form student groups based on shared interests and begin preliminary research on chosen community issues.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Reflection Paper on Civic Engagement Day - Students write a brief paper summarizing what they learned and how it inspired their project goals. 2. Deliverable 2: Community Issue Proposal - Each group submits a proposal identifying the community issue they plan to address, including initial research findings.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Coordinate with community leaders and legislators for Civic Engagement Day logistics. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Prepare a presentation on the legislative process and the importance of civic participation. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Design a template for the Community Issue Proposal to guide students in their research. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Arrange classroom seating for breakout sessions and group activities. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Compile a list of local community issues and resources to help guide students in their research.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Legislative Research - Students dive deeper into the legislative process, researching existing laws and amendments related to their chosen community issues.	Activity 2: Drafting Workshop - Conduct a workshop on drafting a bill or amendment, focusing on structure, language, and legal considerations.	Activity 3: Guest Speaker Session - Invite a local legislator or law school professor to discuss real-world legislative drafting and provide tips.	Activity 4: Peer Review and Feedback - Organize a session where student groups share their initial drafts and provide constructive feedback to each other.	Activity 5: Revision and Refinement - Students revise their drafts based on peer feedback and further research, aiming for clarity and feasibility.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Initial Draft of Bill or Amendment - Each group submits a draft of their proposed bill or amendment addressing their community issue. 2. Deliverable 2: Peer Review Feedback Form - Students complete a feedback form for their peers' drafts, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Arrange for a guest speaker and prepare questions in advance to guide the discussion. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Develop a workshop on drafting bills and amendments, including examples and templates. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Create guidelines and a rubric for peer review to ensure constructive and focused feedback. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Schedule and coordinate logistics for peer review sessions, ensuring all groups have time to present. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Compile additional resources and examples of effective bills/amendments for student reference.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Advanced Legislative Research - Students conduct detailed research on the legislative history and related case studies of their community issues.	Activity 2: Legal Writing and Argumentation Workshop - Conduct a workshop focused on enhancing legal writing skills and constructing persuasive arguments for their bills or amendments.	Activity 3: Collaborative Revision and Strategy Session - Student groups collaborate to refine their proposals, incorporating advanced research findings and strategic argumentation.	Activity 4: Drafting Digital Campaigns - Introduce students to digital advocacy tools and strategies for creating impactful campaigns to support their legislative proposals.	Activity 5: Midpoint Reflection and Goal Setting - Students reflect on their progress, set objectives for the next phase, and prepare a midpoint report that outlines their research, draft development, and campaign strategy.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Advanced Research Summary - Each group submits a summary of their advanced legislative research, including historical context and relevant case studies. 2. Deliverable 2: Revised Draft of Bill or Amendment - Students submit a revised draft that incorporates enhanced research and refined arguments. 3. Deliverable 3: Digital Campaign Plan - Each group presents a plan for their digital advocacy campaign, outlining their strategy, platform choice, and key messages.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Compile and distribute resources on advanced legislative research techniques and databases. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Develop materials for the Legal Writing and Argumentation Workshop, including examples and exercises. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Coordinate with digital media experts or organizations to provide guidance on effective digital campaigning. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Create a template for the Midpoint Reflection and Goal Setting report to guide students in their reflections. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Facilitate access to technology and digital tools necessary for students to plan and design their digital campaigns.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Digital Campaign Development - Students work on creating content for their digital advocacy campaigns, focusing on crafting persuasive messages and utilizing multimedia elements.	Activity 2: Campaign Feedback Session - Organize a session where students present their digital campaign drafts to peers and receive constructive feedback for improvement.	Activity 3: Legal Argumentation and Debate Workshop - Conduct a workshop to enhance students' skills in presenting and defending their legislative proposals in a debate setting.	Activity 4: Mock Legislative Session Preparation - Students prepare for the upcoming mock legislative session by rehearsing their roles, arguments, and responses to potential opposition.	Activity 5: Midway Project Evaluation - Students conduct a self-assessment and group evaluation, reflecting on their progress, challenges, and areas for growth in both their legislative proposals and digital campaigns.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Finalized Digital Campaign Content - Each group submits the final version of their digital campaign materials, including visuals, written content, and a publication plan. 2. Deliverable 2: Debate Preparation Document - Students submit a document outlining their main arguments, counterarguments, and strategies for the mock legislative session.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Arrange for guest feedback providers, such as digital media experts, to review student campaigns and offer insights. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Develop materials and exercises for the Legal Argumentation and Debate Workshop, focusing on effective argument structure and rebuttal techniques. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Coordinate logistics for the mock legislative session, including role assignments and session format. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Create templates and guidelines for the Midway Project Evaluation to guide students in their self-assessment process. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Ensure access to digital tools and platforms necessary for students to finalize and publish their campaign content.

Week 5	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Final Mock Legislative Session Rehearsal - Students conduct a full rehearsal of the mock legislative session, practicing their roles, speeches, and responses to opposition.	Activity 2: Guest Expert Session on Legislative Advocacy - Invite an expert in legislative advocacy to share insights and strategies for effective legislative promotion and community engagement.	Activity 3: Peer-to-Peer Feedback Exchange - Students pair up with peers from different groups to exchange feedback on their legislative proposals and digital campaigns, focusing on clarity, impact, and persuasiveness.	Activity 4: Last Minute Revisions and Refinements - Allow time for students to make final changes to their legislative proposals and digital campaigns based on peer and expert feedback.	Activity 5: Mock Legislative Session Dry Run - Conduct a dry run of the mock legislative session in the actual venue or setting to ensure all technical and logistical aspects are in place.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Final Legislative Proposal - Each group submits the final version of their bill or amendment, incorporating all feedback and revisions. 2. Deliverable 2: Completed Digital Campaign - Students submit their fully developed digital campaign, ready for launch, with all multimedia elements and publication plans finalized.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Coordinate with the guest expert for the advocacy session, ensuring alignment with the project's goals. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Prepare logistical arrangements for the mock legislative session dry run, including technology setup and role assignments. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Develop guidelines for the peer-to-peer feedback exchange to ensure constructive and focused critique. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Review and provide final feedback on student proposals and campaigns, ensuring readiness for the mock session and public presentation. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Ensure all materials, including scripts and visual aids, are ready and available for the final rehearsal and dry run of the mock legislative session.

Week 6	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Mock Legislative Session - Conduct the official mock legislative session where students present, debate, and vote on their legislative proposals.	Activity 2: Public Presentation Preparation - Students prepare for the Civic Engagement Showcase, rehearsing presentations and refining their digital campaign displays.	Activity 3: Showcase Event Execution - Students participate in the Civic Engagement Showcase, presenting their work to community partners, legislators, and family members.	Activity 4: Feedback and Reflection Session - After the showcase, students gather to discuss feedback received from attendees and reflect on their learning journey.	Activity 5: Project Wrap-Up and Celebration - Conclude the project with a celebratory event recognizing students' hard work and achievements over the past six weeks.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Participation in Mock Legislative Session - Each group presents and defends their legislative proposal during the session. 2. Deliverable 2: Showcase Presentation Materials - Students submit all materials used during the Civic Engagement Showcase, including presentation slides and campaign displays. 3. Deliverable 3: Reflection Paper - A final reflection paper where students summarize their experiences, lessons learned, and the impact of their project on their understanding of civic engagement.
Preparation	1. Teacher Preparation Task 1: Finalize logistics for the mock legislative session, ensuring the venue is set up, technology is tested, and all roles are assigned. 2. Teacher Preparation Task 2: Coordinate with community partners and invitees for the Civic Engagement Showcase, confirming attendance and participation. 3. Teacher Preparation Task 3: Prepare a feedback form for attendees to provide constructive comments on students' presentations and proposals. 4. Teacher Preparation Task 4: Arrange for documentation of the showcase event, including photography and video recording, to capture students' work. 5. Teacher Preparation Task 5: Plan and organize the project wrap-up celebration, including recognition awards or certificates for students' participation.