Memorial fifth grade teacher Julie Lockhart spent the day in Salem on Friday, learning about how to incorporate civics into the classroom. Selected by Oregon Representative Jim Weidner for the Oregon Civics Conference for Teachers, Lockhart attended a day-long workshop in the State Capitol.
Teachers from across the state got an inside look at the three branches of government as well as professional development in civics education.
“We talked about using a fifth-grade mock presentation,” said Lockhart. “We sat in the Senate Room like we were on a panel testifying before the Legislature.
“We talked about the First Amendment and how to balance free speech rights with the safety of others. How what might be considered offensive to some is just free speech to another.”
Besides tours and general sessions, the teachers attended break-out sessions that were tailored by teaching level.
“Now I want to find a way to get ‘We the People’ books into my classroom,” said Lockhart. “It’s a great way to teach about government, and it hits all the reading and writing standards, too.”