Federal government
The Department of Education
What the federal education department does — and, just as usefully, what it doesn't. Students sort decisions between Washington, the district, and their own principal.
Word document — open it in Word, Pages, or Google Docs and adapt it for your class.
Students will learn what the U.S. Department of Education does and how people in government work together to improve education. Students will also act as Principals, District Officers, and DOE members!
01
Warm-up
5 min
Warm-Up Question: “What is one thing you love about your school and one thing you dislike?”
02
Lecture
10 min
Opens w/quick slideshow presentation of around 10 minutes.
- What is the Department of Education?
- What Does the Department of Education Do?
- Does the Department Run Your School?
- How Does It Help Students?
- Why Does Education Matter?
- 2. Divide students into small groups and give them a stack of cards.
- Some cards describe things the Department of Education could help with, while others describe things it doesn't control.
- Ex:
- Helping protect students' educational rights - Department of Education
- Giving information about education programs - Department of Education
- Choosing your school's mascot - Local school
- Deciding what time your school starts - School district/school
- Students sort the cards into: Department of Education or Local School/District
- 3. Divide students into small groups. Tell them:
- "The Department of Education wants to learn what students think schools need/a problem with your school.” Have them write down one thing they think their classroom, school needs or schools in general need on the card. They’ll then decide whether they think the Teacher, Local School District, or DOE can solve this.
03
Wrap-up
5 min