Resources for Alternative Models of Capitol Forum

Capitol Forum was started in 1998 as a statewide program that engages students in the classroom and then brings representatives to their state capitol. Resources for organizing and leading statewide programs are available online.

New forum models take many forms and allow for any content topics that fit the curriculum and inform the ultimate question of the role of the United States in the world. The core resource for these programs is usually drawn from the topics available in the Choices Program Current Issues Series.

Additional resources

The following resources, drawn from those used in state programs, may also be useful.

Teaching Activities: "Considering the Role of Values in Public Policy" and "Deliberating Pros and Cons of Policy Options" are classroom activities that are used with many of the Choices units.

Pre-Forum Lesson Plan and Resources (pdf) is used by teachers prior to their forum.

Guide for Lead Teachers (pdf) is used by the lead teacher responsible for the overall forum.

Breakout I Guide (pdf) is used by teachers leading a breakout on a content topic at the forum.

Breakout II Guide (pdf)s used by teachers leading a breakout on one of the options considered during the forum.

Senate Foreign Relations Panel Preparation (pdf) is used by students preparing to hear presentations on the options and ask them questions.

Student Worksheet (pdf)

Reflection Log (pdf)

Annotated Sample Agenda (pdf) provides an overview of the forum day in a Capitol Forum.

Information for Panel Members (Word — Template) is used to brief Panel Members in the Capitol Forum. It is provided as a template that may be useful in alternative models.

The Choices Approach (overhead — pdf)

The Capitol Forum Program, Reflections, Memories (video)

 

See New Forum Models for an overview of programs that have adapted the Capitol Forum model.