T.C. Roberson High students in Joshua Lowe’s civics class got to engage with politics with a mock congress. Students adopted the personas of congressmen and congresswomen, randomly assigned to a political party and committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. Each committee chose an issue to research and created a related bill and visual aid to represent the issue. Then, students spent three days presenting their legislation, making amendments, and voting on each.
“I think it helps students learn, because it allows them to actually practice the lawmaking process,” says Mr. Lowe. “Engaging in a real-world simulation makes the process come alive. I’m proud of the students for their civility and careful consideration of their peers’ arguments. The students respected parliamentary procedure and truly engaged in a respectful debate.”