CLASSROOM LAW PROJECT
Selecting the Next President
Handout 1
Class Hearing & Youth Summit
What They Look Like
Class Hearing – your classroom, late October/early November
The classroom will be set-up to model a legislative hearing. The classroom should have a table in
front where the adults will be "taking testimony," that is, listening to the students' one-minute
speeches. Think of it as a mock legislative hearing where the adults are the legislators and the
students are offering expert testimony. Invited adults might include administrators, community
leaders, lawyers, and others. Every student will testify at the hearing.
Each student will make a presentation approximately 1-minute in length. All students will answer
question one. Whether they answer an additional question and, if so which one, is at the teacher’s
discretion.
1. My advice for the candidate(s) is (explain what and why) …
2. My advice for voter(s) is (explain what and why) …
3. After studying about the presidential election, I am still pondering (because) …
The adults may also make comments and should adhere to time limits. It is helpful to record the
hearing – it heightens its importance and students may want to refer later to something they heard.
HEARING & SUMMIT PACKET
4
Questions:
1. My advice for the candidate(s) is (explain what and why) …; 2. My advice
for voters is (explain what and why) …; and/or 3. After studying about the
presidential election, I am still pondering (because) …
CLASSROOM LAW PROJECT
Selecting the Next President
Youth Summit – RCC-Table Rock, Tuesday, November 6, 9:00a-2:00p
All students are encouraged to apply to represent their class at the Youth Summit. Approximately
100 students from many schools will be present. The number of students representing each class
will depend on the number of participating classes (perhaps around 10 students per class).
Students will (1) run mock legislative hearings, (2) have lunch with their classmates while
discussing what they have learned, (3) participate in a townhall discussion and share their ideas
about the presidential election, and (4) vote in a mock election.
1. Morning hearings (9:30-11:30). After teachers get their registration packets, students will divide
up and go to their assigned hearing rooms. There will be several different hearing rooms going on
at the same time. In the hearing rooms, students will find themselves with 12-15 students from other
schools, including some classmates from their school.
Students will take on the role of legislators running a committee meeting. All student-delegates
must read the Student-Delegate Duties at the Youth Summit (Handout 3) ahead of time so that they
are ready to go. Students will be assigned the role of co-chairs of their hearing. They will receive
this assignment when they arrive at the Summit. So, all students, chairs and others, must
understand their roles before arriving (read the handout!)
All students will have the opportunity to question a number of community leaders. Each hearing
room will be visited by at least three adults to discuss their experience and views on issues
concerning free speech. Teachers will assist by facilitating discussion in the hearings.
2. Lunch (11:30-12:05). Students will break for lunch and meet again with their teacher and other
students from their school at designated locations. Sandwich lunch is provided.
3. Class preparation (12:05-12:50). After eating, students will discuss the statement they will
make in the townhall. Tasks are to (1) decide what question(s) to talk about, (2) what they wish to
say, (3) who will say it (choose two student representatives), and (4) practice saying it. Each class
will have approximately two minutes for its speech (subject to change based on number of
participating classes).
4. Large group townhall (1:00-2:00). Students will move to the auditorium. Each student will
silently cast a ballot for who they wish to be the next President of the United States. During the
townhall, representatives from each class will be asked to share their views with the large townhall
group. By the end of the day, students will have formed opinions to share with students back at their
schools and with their families. Election results will be announced.
HEARING & SUMMIT PACKET
5
Questions:
1. My advice for the candidate(s) is (explain what and why) …; 2. My advice
for voters is (explain what and why) …; and/or 3. After studying about the
presidential election, I am still pondering (because) …