Classroom
The First Day
Before Class Starts: Desks are arranged in a U shape with the teacher seated at the front. Students have a placard on their desks with their official title (e.g. Rep. Schultz). The day's agenda is displayed for all to view.
As Students Are Seated: Class begins with the bang of a gavel. Students are congratulated on their election and are administered an Oath of Office confirming them as official members of their school’s legislature.
Debate Begins: Using parliamentary procedure, this first day and every day hereafter, all classes are run like formal committee meetings following an agenda. The teacher will introduce a resolution of high interest like allowing Dirty Dancing at school dances or creating Fair Traffic Violation Procedures for People of Color and discussion will begin.
A Typical Day
For The First Few Days: The teacher assumes the role of Committee Chair and facilitates discussion on controversial resolutions by summarizing main arguments for or against a motion which allows students time to develop their ideas prior to the start of debate. On other days, students may have prepared for the debate the night before by independently researching the topic.
No Need for Direct Instruction: As students gain familiarity with parliamentary procedure, the teacher steps out of the role of Committee Chair and interested students begin to preside over the class. Shared ownership of the curriculum unfolds before your eyes!
Student Leadership Emerges: Once students recognize the teacher is bound by the same rules of parliamentary procedure as the students, students are elected into leadership positions (Clerk, Rules Committee Member, Caucus Leader), and the teacher is no longer the sole authority in the room.
Following The Rules Of Parliamentary Procedure: Students are yielded time in three minute increments to express their views, completely free of interference by other classmates or the teacher. Civil discourse and decorum are maintained by the Chair at all times.
When Debate Time Has Expired: The Chair entertains a motion to call the question and the Clerk conducts a roll call vote. Students may vote yes, no, or present.
With The Proper Motion: The rules may be suspended for an activity, a recess, or debriefing.
Extended Learning
Values Clarification: Resolutions used during the early weeks concern issues that permit students to assess their beliefs in the context of the political spectrum and to learn about the foundations of government.
As The Semester Progresses: Classroom time is also used to develop ideas for bills, research and write those bills in groups, and prepare for the Committee Hearings and Full Session.
Two teachers from Middleton High School in Wisconsin describe to a Wisconsin Eye interviewer how LS classrooms accomplish what the actual state legislature often doesn’t—civil discourse and respect for student leaders wielding the gavel.
Watch a typical classroom in action in the weeks prior to the Committee Hearings and note how the student acting as Committee Chair is managing the discussion. Pay attention as well to students who are fully engaged in the process and discussing a bill that will eventually be assigned to one of the committees during the Committee Hearing Day. The end of the video highlights parliamentary procedure at its finest as the Chair is asking for a vote on the bill, but a student requests and is granted time to caucus in order to deepen the conversation about the bill in small groups.