The Oklahoma Bar Association Law-related Education Department held the annual state workshop for the We the People: the Citizen and the Constitution program on August 21, 2010.?

The We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution curriculum, developed by the Center for Civic Education, augments student understanding of the institution of American constitutional democracy and modern day relevance.? Teachers implementing this curriculum conduct simulated congressional hearings.? High school classrooms may elect to enter into congressional district competitions with the potential to advance to the state and national levels.

Law-related Education State Coordinator Jane McConnell guided the participants through a new no-fail showcase hearing template.? The procedures for holding a classroom simulated hearing were modeled to actively engage students in open hearings.? District 1 Coordinator Miguel Portillo led the participants through the curriculum. ?District 2 Coordinator Representative Ed Cannaday, District 4 Coordinator Dianna Morgan, District 5 Coordinator Becky Walderbach and LRE Committee Member and State Alumni Representative Brady Henderson were available to offer support.

Each congressional district is allotted 25 FREE sets of books for distribution to teachers through a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education and directed by the Center for Civic Education.? All teachers in attendance at the workshop will receive a FREE classroom set of textbooks.? For educators who want to become involved in this program, contact the program coordinator for your area.