Educator Toolkit Classroom Plans · Plan 2

Bill Writing Workshop

From an idea to a peer-reviewed draft bill

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Educator Toolkit Classroom Plans · Plan 2

Bill Writing Workshop

From an idea to a peer-reviewed draft bill

Grades 6 to 12 · Two 45-minute class periods

Teacher note. Teacher resources: program video (youtu.be/4ZdvqaiwQHU), Bill Writing Guide and template, a sample Bill Book, whiteboard or projector, timer. Students need the Bill Builder Worksheet, a device for research, and your state's statutes website.

You will be able to

  • Identify a real problem in your community or state.
  • Find the current law that relates to it.
  • Write a clear, realistic bill that changes that law.
  • Anticipate the strongest arguments against your bill.
  • Give and use peer feedback based on the ranking criteria.

Facilitation note

About 90% of bills amend an existing law. Finding that law is the hardest and most valuable step.

Teacher note. Give Period 1 the time it needs. Model one statute search on the projector before students try their own.

Class Period 1 · 45 min

Finding the Problem and the Law

  1. Anticipate10 min
  2. Engage30 min
  3. Reflect5 min

Teacher note. Covers Bill Builder Worksheet Steps 1 and 2.

ThinkClass Period 1

Think-Pair-Share

What's one thing in our town or state that should work better?

  • Jot 2 to 3 ideas
  • Discuss with a partner
  • Share

Teacher note. Write the question on the board. Examples: later school start times, safer crosswalks, recycling in apartments, cell phone rules. Steps 1 and 2 together take 10 minutes.

ListenClass Period 1

Introduce Youth and Government

What if you could write the law that fixes it, and argue for it in the State Capitol?

Teacher note. Optional: show the program video (3 minutes).

Group workClass Period 110 min

Narrow the idea

Complete Step 1 (IDENTIFY) on the Bill Builder.

Teacher note. Push for one specific problem, not a whole topic.

Narrowing in practice

Too broad

  • "Fix school lunches"
  • "Make roads safer"
  • "Do something about phones"

Narrow enough to write

  • Require every public school to offer one hot vegetarian option daily
  • Lower the speed limit to 20 mph within 500 feet of any K-8 school during arrival and dismissal
  • Require districts to adopt a written cell phone policy and share it with families each fall
ResearchClass Period 120 min

Find the law

Search your state's statutes for the related law (Step 2: FIND).

  • No law on it? That's fine: you'll write a new section.

Teacher note. Model one search on the projector first.

State statutes

NY
nysenate.gov/legislation
CT
cga.ct.gov
RI
webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes
Write

Exit ticket

  • Our bill would change __ so that __.

Teacher note. Reflect, 5 minutes.

Class Period 2 · 45 min

Drafting and Peer Review

  1. Anticipate5 min
  2. Explore35 min
  3. Reflect5 min

Teacher note. Covers Bill Builder Worksheet Steps 3 to 6.

DiscussClass Period 25 min

Anticipate

What makes a bill hard to argue against?

Teacher note. Look for: clear, realistic, paid for, and enforceable.

WriteClass Period 215 min

Draft

  • An Act To: one sentence naming the law and the change
  • Purpose: the spirit of the bill in 1 to 2 sentences
  • Provisions: who does what, penalties, and funding
  • Definitions: 3 to 5 key terms, written last
ThinkClass Period 25 min

Plan for opposition

Complete Step 4 (DEFEND): the two hardest questions you'll face, and your answers.

ReviewClass Period 210 min

Peer review

Swap drafts and score them on the ranking criteria.

  • Is the purpose clear?
  • Is there evidence of preparation?
  • Is it important to the state?
  • Is it realistic?
  • Is it debatable?

Peer Review Card

  • Clear purpose: score 1 to 5, one sentence of feedback
  • Evidence of preparation: score 1 to 5, one sentence
  • Important to the state: score 1 to 5, one sentence
  • Realistic: score 1 to 5, one sentence
  • Debatable: score 1 to 5, one sentence

Teacher note. Copy one per team, or have reviewers write on the back of the draft.

WriteClass Period 25 min

Revise and submit

  • Option 1 (best): submit through your state's bill form in class
  • Option 2: finish at home and submit by the deadline

Reflect

Your voice matters. Your bill will be heard. A con speech against it is a chance to make it better.

Teacher note. Reflect, 5 minutes.

Your draft bill is ready

Next: practice your 4-minute opening

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Project the slides from your laptop. Turn on Notes to see facilitation tips under the slide (keep them off while the screen is mirrored to students). Timed steps load their time into the timer automatically. Choose All slides to scroll or print every slide.