7th Grade

  This year, my middle school civics classes will be participating in the We the People, Citizen and the Constitution, program.  All students will be expected to work in unit teams for our school based simulated debates.  Additionally, students will compete in the congressional debates this year as a showcase activity or as unit debate teams.  The competition will be on January 10th in Norfolk, Virginia.  Information about this event will be sent home to our families as the program progresses.  To this point, students have been working with three of the six units in this program.  All have demonstrated great progress in their understanding and analysis of significant documents, the foundation of our government, and application of ideas to current events. 

      Each team will be required to prepare their assigned unit for the demonstration debate. They will be assigned a question or questions to research using the materials provided in class.  Each student will prepare a one minute argument or statement relating to the question.  After the one minute presentation, judges will ask students questions for six minutes.  All team members are encouraged to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the content, documents, and application.  The teams with the highest points at our school level competition will be selected to compete in Norfolk.  The first competition will be January 8, 2009.

       Please encourage your student to be an active team member for this activity.  They have been enjoying this active learning experience.  Additionally, many have gained a new self-confidence. 

                      More information will be coming soon regarding this event. 

                                                      Miss Froehlich

                                      Helpful links for teachers:

    We the People, Center for the Constitution:  http://www.montpelier.org

                        Center for Civic Ed:  http://www.civiced.org

                     http://www.ed.gov/programs/wethepeople/index.html

                 http://edsitement.neh.gov/special_features_view.asp?id=1

                     http://free.ed.gov/resource.cfm?resource_1902

  Student Links:

                          http://bensguide.gpo.gov/6-8/index.html

         http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_founding_fathers.html (read about the Framers.

                         Lessons and Activities for We the People

              GROUPS PRACTICING FOR CONGRESSIONAL

                               HEARINGS

                            UNIT FOUR CHAPTER 17 POWER POINTS FOR STUDENTS/TEACHERS

                                  SOL 6A VIRGINIA Federal System

                                        UNIT 6 RESOURCES

             WE THE PEOPLE NORTHERN VIRGINIA SHOWCASE DEBATES

                                            April 25, 2009

   Students from Fred Lynn Middle School and Washington Irving Middle School (Fairfax County) participated in the FIRST annual Northern Virginia WE THE PEOPLE congressional debate simulation on Saturday, April 25, 2009.  All of the unit teams from both schools did an excellent job.  We thank Joyce Gardella who hosted this event at Irving. It is amazing to listen to these students discuss the Constitution and founding with such confidence and knowledge.  Way to go!

       Here are a few pictures of our day at their first formal debate showcase.

Brittany, Quincy, and Kaitlyn review their opening statements before the judges arrive.	Hector, Darrian, and Zack give a "thumbs up" - they are ready to go!	Brenda, Julietta, and Reece wait for the opening ceremony.

Ruth and Emily review before their unit is called by the judges.		Unit team proudly show their We the People certificates.

                                                           UNIT TEAM WINNERS

Miss Froehlich, Reece, Julietta, Brenda, Destiny, Kelly Carmichael (Virginia State Coordinator)

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