In this exercise, you, the members of the Congress simulation of _____ (insert room number), are going to propose, debate, and vote on legislation introduced to affect the “Nation of _____ (insert room number).” Applying your knowledge acquired through your reading and in class, you will make decisions that could affect the “Nation of _____ (insert room number)” for years to come.

Today, ________________________, you will choose your membership in one of two parties, the “Stars” or the “Stripes.”  The “Stars” are focused on classroom environment issues such as food, arrangement of the room, etc., while the “Stripes” are focused on classroom management issues, including homework, tests, quizzes, etc. ____________ (insert teacher’s name) reserves the right to place people in either party as necessary or due to absence, etc.

As a preliminary matter, every legislator should come up with at least one legislative proposal, representing what you would like to see happen in the “Nation of _____ (insert room number)” from an environmental or management perspective. You may draft as many legislative proposals as you wish. THE DEADLINE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION IS _______________________; PROPOSALS MUST BE FILED WITH __________________ (insert teacher’s name), ACTING AS CLERK OF THE CHAMBER, BY THAT TIME.

On _______________________, we will hold a short caucus where the two parties, the “Stars” and the “Stripes,” will each elect their own party leadership. The person(s) elected will need to know what the priorities of his or her caucus are, as that person will be responsible for getting legislation that his caucus wants passed on the floor for debate.

_______________ (insert teacher’s name) will assign each of you to one of the four standing committees:  the Tests and Quizzes Committee; the Homework Committee; the Foods Committee; and the Classroom Atmosphere Committee.  ________________ (insert teacher’s name), acting in the role of the Rules Committee, will assign legislation to the appropriate committee.  _______________ (insert teacher’s name) may, at his or her discretion, keep a bill in Rules Committee.

On ________________________, each committee will meet and have 5 minutes total to review, debate, and vote on the bills assigned to it. This reflects the realities of the legislative process, where there is simply not enough time to act on every bill introduced, regardless of merit. A majority of the members of the committee will pass a bill to the Congress for consideration on the floor.

After each committee adjourns, the legislative leaders of each party will meet with _________________ (insert teacher’s name) and draw up the calendar for the simulation – that is, the order that bills will be heard – based on those bills passed out of committee. This process will take approximately 2 minutes.