Constitutional Civic Inquiries
GRADES 5–12: WE THE PEOPLE, LEVELS 2 & 3
Compelling Question: Can a powerful speech be persuasive?
Time Required: Three class periods, plus one summative assessment
Overview
The simulated congressional hearing is the heart of the We the People program, and this lesson is how students learn its rhythms without the pressure of constitutional content. Teams prepare and deliver testimony on a low-stakes topic — the merits of their assigned candy — then field follow-up questions from the committee. The format is identical to a real hearing; only the subject is light. Students learn what a strong presentation actually sounds like, and how to give and receive useful feedback, before the stakes rise.
What Students Will Do
Students brainstorm what makes a speech powerful, analyze clips of well-known speeches against their own criteria, and watch footage of authentic We the People hearings at the middle and high school levels. In teams, they research their assigned candy using a hearing research organizer, draft and rehearse four-minute testimony, and present to a student committee that asks follow-up questions. Audience members complete structured observation and feedback tools during every presentation. The lesson closes with a Democratic Experience Debrief in which students set specific goals for their real hearing.
Student Outcomes
By completing this lesson, students will be able to explain the purpose and structure of a simulated congressional hearing, demonstrate the process and expectations for participating in one, apply criteria for compelling testimony to their own work and their classmates', and give feedback that is specific, respectful, and actionable. Students will also build public speaking confidence, self-evaluation skills, and the persistence that sustained team preparation requires.