Lesson Success!

Today four students walked out of civics class and said (or some variation), "That was an awesome class Lauritzen!" It felt truly amazing, especially considering it was the first time it has ever happened. The credit for the lesson, however, must go to a fellow Gold Cohorter, Ian, who is blogging over at Obien's Blog. The basic lesson:

a. Discuss the daily political cartoon to get them thinking
b. Discuss a political cartoon in the textbook about how Congressmen determine their vote
c. Individually read a passage out of the textbook about methods for contacting a Congressman
d. Share ideas that we read
e. Tell them that we are going to call one of our Congressmen ("What?!?!? Huh?!?! What do you mean?!?!")
f. Explain that we are going to talk to a staffer on Capitol Hill, but that anyone can call any time
g. Formulate questions individually
h. Share questions and choose top six to be asked per time constraints
i. Call!
j. Have students tell you how great you are

It was fantastic. Unfortunately, it was also short-lived. My afternoon psychology lesson bombed. C'est la vie!