Social Studies Events and Fieldtrips

On Tuesday, October 30th, the Washington School fifth grade class took a field trip to the New Jersey State House in Trenton.

The visit to New Jersey’s most important public building is an exciting way for us to enhance and support the 5^th grade civics program in Social Studies. Students had an opportunity to witness the site where state lawmaking happens and engaged in lively activities that inspired them to become involved citizens, and possibly legislators one day.

The State House program included a 1-hour State House tour, which allowed us to explore one of the oldest capitol buildings still in use. We visited the Senate and General Assembly Chambers as well as viewed historic spaces, art and architecture.

In addition to the State House tour, the students had an opportunity to assume the role of lawmakers. In the Welcome Center classroom, the children reviewed firsthand the process of bill passage by means of debate, discussion, compromise and vote.

On November 1st the fifth grade students at Washington School participated in the Ninth-Annual National Legislators-Go-Back-to-School Program. Assemblyman John F.McKeon, who is currently serving his 4th term for Caldwell/West Caldwell’s legislative district spoke with our students about his role in the State Legislature. Our students were well prepared for this visit as we are currently studying the legislative process, including how a bill becomes a law.

The Legislators-Go-Back-to-School program, sponsored by NCSL's Trust for Representative Democracy, as well as the New Jersey State Legislature, encourages policymakers to visit the nation's classrooms to help students understand the importance of being an engaged citizen. This effort also aims to combat cynicism in young people through interaction with their local legislators. The program brings civics to life for students across the country as it helps today's youth understand how our government works and why they should get involved.

Each year more than 1,400 state lawmakers visit an estimated 320,000 students. Back to School is designed to help students understand the legislative process of debate, negotiation and compromise. It also helps legislators gauge how students feel about issues. Lawmakers and students interact in informal discussions, participate in mock legislative sessions or simulated public hearings, and even draft bills together.

In addition to this assembly, the fifth graders at Washington school recently visited the State House in Trenton where they not only had the opportunity to tour our state’s capitol, by also were able to assume the role of lawmakers. In the Welcome Center classroom at the State House, they revisited the process of bill passage by practicing the skills of debate, discussion, negotiation, compromise and voting.