Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Jim Moldenhauer / Daily Vidette Photo Editor John Presley, professor of educational administration and foundations, kicked off a panel discussion regarding teaching of the Constitution.

The College of Education, along with the American Democracy Project, hosted a panel Tuesday to give education majors tips on teaching the Constitution to elementary and secondary students.

Posters and interactive trivia were also displayed throughout DeGarmo Hall by undergraduate elementary social studies majors.

The panel consisted of junior high and high school teachers who each gave their own perspective on teaching parts of the Constitution.

"I'm a firm believer in if you are to understand something you need to have a strong foundation," Bob Fitzgerald, social sciences department chair at University High School, said.

"The spirit of the American Democracy Project is to make it one again. To bring it across the board to create civic minded students."

Andy Davis, social studies teacher at University High School, believes the best approach to teaching students about the Constitution is to open up a discussion.

"Students can really relate to the First Amendment, the freedom of speech and freedom of press. They want to talk about things important to them," Davis said.

"Students in sixth or seventh grade are just beginning to find out who they are and they want to voice their opinion."

According to Ben Wellenreiter, Morton junior high teacher and doctoral student at ISU, social studies are usually rated as the most boring subject because it is not integrated into the students' lives.

Several of the high school teachers recommended using quotes, video clips and interactive Web sites to help students learn in a visual way.

"What I do with my students to break it down is take them throughout the school to show them how the Constitution affects their lives," Wellenreiter said.

"My students go through the handbook and choose rules and procedures to improve and then debate it. Students need to practice and develop debate skills."

Many social studies teachers are passionate about getting their students interested and involved in what is seen by many as boring.

"The Constitution is loaded with possibilities for critical thinking," Davis said.

History education students were encouraged to make the material interesting for students in order to motivate them. Material can be tied into the students' interests through video clips, books and discussions.

"You can be that spark to get them interested in the Constitution," Davis said.

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