Understanding the Nuances of Law Creation
In an innovative joint venture program between eighth grade Humanities and twelfth grade AP Government classes, students worked together in their study of US government.
The twelfth graders first assumed roles of political party leaders and taught the eighth graders about basic current political party stances and its influence in creating bills. Then, during the eighth grade prep and during their model senate simulation bill debates, the twelfth graders assisted the eighth graders with the writing and or revision of their bills.
During the eighth grade model senate bill debates to the class (on the "Senate Floor"), the seniors took the roles of lobbyists and interest groups challenging and questioning the eighth graders to understand the complexities and difficulties in creating laws.