The Capitol Comes to the Classroom

By Belinda Hartzler, Social Studies Teacher

In collaboration with National Middle School Association's "Month of the Young Adolescent" and National Conference of State Legislatures' "America's Legislators Back to School" programs, Hopkins West Junior High School in Minnetonka, Minnesota invited their state legislators to visit their school and participate in Civics classes. (Many NMSA members will remember this school as one of the school visits at NMSA's annual conference in Minneapolis in 2004.) Below is their story ...

"Half your life is showing up." This is the message 350 students heard when Minnesota lawmakers visited their classroom. On December 12 and 13, Hopkins West Junior High students welcomed State Representative Maria Ruud and State Senator David Hann to their Civics class to hear, first hand, what a legislator does and why their job is so important. Students got an inside look from these two seasoned lawmakers on topics such as how the Minnesota congress works, civic responsibility and issues facing Minnesota today.

Representative Ruud explained that Minnesota has a "citizen legislature" where people who serve as lawmakers are part-time legislators who have other jobs as well. This helps make for a richer debate because these jobs in their other lives, whether it be nurse, teacher, lawyer or business owner, help form opinions on topics that come before them each session. Senator Hann went on to say that Minnesota has one of the largest legislatures in the country, with its 201 members. This, he explained, equates to better representation meaning more lawmakers represent less people who can speak citizen's voices more carefully and completely. Mary Gleisberg, civics student, stated, "I liked how they explained their job in detail. I never really knew what legislators did. They helped unravel that mystery."

When discussing civic responsibility, the legislators explained why we all have an important role in our democracy. Ruud explained, "Once you see things that are unjust or unfair, you can't not know that. You then have to decide to do something. You have to have an impact on the process." She went on to explain that young people need to find their voice and use it. If they don't, someone else will and they may not be wanting the same things. Senator Hann remarked that, "We are all suppose to be prepared to govern ourselves." He explained how our country depends on people who understand how government works and has ideas about what is good and what isn't. Furthermore, if we don't educate ourselves about government, then we will not be able to govern ourselves. Both speakers urged students to exercise their rights, but to also step up to the plate and fulfill their duties as citizens and participate in government.

When answering questions regarding the state of affairs in Minnesota today, both officials agree that energy consumption, alternative taxation, health care and education are pressing issues facing not only Minnesota, but the nation as a whole. It is likely that these problems will not be solved soon and it will be up to young people to understand these important issues so that they may wrestle with the solutions in the future. Nic Reynolds, a student in the classroom summed it up by saying, "Civic responsibility means that we are the future and we will decide what is going to happen in the future. I hope we are prepared." Emily Johnson, another student agrees by stating, "You can't complain and not participate. If you are going to complain, do something about it."

It remains to be seen if the students of today will become the leaders of tomorrow and solve the problems facing our democracy. There is no doubt, however, that Representative Ruud and Senator Hann motivated 350 students to show up and become active, responsible citizens willing to share their voice.