Fifth Grade Visits Kennedy Institute
Fifth graders visited the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston in early February as a culminating activity to their study of government and the Constitution.
The Institute is dedicated to educating the public about the important role of the Senate in our government, encouraging participatory democracy, invigorating civil discourse, and inspiring the next generation of citizens and leaders to engage in the civic life of their communities.
The facility contains the only full-scale replica of the Senate chamber in the world, known as the Senate Immersion Module (SIM). In the SIM, developed especially for the Institute, up to 100 participants take on the roles of Senators to study issues, debate, negotiate, and vote on legislation. Visitors receive a digital tablet to inform them of personal and party stances on important issues. They learn how to work together, consider historic issues, and address current challenges facing the country.
Immersed in the SIM, the fifth graders were able to become senators for a day and sit at their own desk in the chamber. They listened to testimony about an education bill and then debated it on the floor. The Institute’s staff was impressed with our students’ speaking skills. Fifth grader Devan commented, “I really liked the senate chamber because it looked cool, we had a great debate, and the chairs were super comfy.”
Said another student, "Our field trip to the Edward Kennedy Institute cemented in my brain all I have learned in school about the Senate."
The Institute is dedicated to educating the public about the important role of the Senate in our government, encouraging participatory democracy, invigorating civil discourse, and inspiring the next generation of citizens and leaders to engage in the civic life of their communities.
The facility contains the only full-scale replica of the Senate chamber in the world, known as the Senate Immersion Module (SIM). In the SIM, developed especially for the Institute, up to 100 participants take on the roles of Senators to study issues, debate, negotiate, and vote on legislation. Visitors receive a digital tablet to inform them of personal and party stances on important issues. They learn how to work together, consider historic issues, and address current challenges facing the country.
Immersed in the SIM, the fifth graders were able to become senators for a day and sit at their own desk in the chamber. They listened to testimony about an education bill and then debated it on the floor. The Institute’s staff was impressed with our students’ speaking skills. Fifth grader Devan commented, “I really liked the senate chamber because it looked cool, we had a great debate, and the chairs were super comfy.”
Said another student, "Our field trip to the Edward Kennedy Institute cemented in my brain all I have learned in school about the Senate."
The exhibits around the chamber were engaging as well. Brooke and many others enjoyed seeing Ted Kennedy’s recreated office with original furnishings, calling it “amazing.” This room contained the flag used at JFK’s funeral and tennis balls used by Senator Kennedy’s dogs.
Another popular exhibit involved legislation for a national dessert. Max wrote, “It was really fun to turn something serious, like the senate, into something silly, like ice cream toppings.” The students learned how a bill becomes a law by choosing toppings and then compromising with the House of Representatives. Matt stated that “it was educational but fun at the same time.” The senators managed to pass the compromise bill, only to have it die by veto. But on a second try, they mustered enough support to push it through. Said Will: “It was fun to see how if the President vetoes a bill, if two-thirds of the senators vote yes, then they can overrule the presidential veto.”
The February day was warm and sunny, so after lunch the fifth graders enjoyed a seaside recess in a nearby grassy area along the harborwalk. This was another highlight of the day. Liam summed it all up: “It was a really cool trip!”
Shore Country Day School’s mission is to provide an education that inspires a love of learning and encourages children to embrace academic challenge. We seek to build character, cultivate creativity, and value diversity as we help our children become healthy, compassionate citizens of the world.
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