09-05-2025
Wyan-Pine 5th graders participate in mock 'We the People' congressional hearing
Wyan-Pine Grove Elementary School fifth graders in Social Studies teacher Kristy Patton's third block class had the unique opportunity of participating in a mock "We the People" congressional hearing last Wednesday, April 30.
At the hearing, three different groups of students took turns introducing themselves, giving speeches, and answering follow-up questions by judges. Judges at the simulated hearing included Superintendent Denise Griebel of Laurel County Public Schools, State Senator Brandon Storm (R-London), and State Representative Shane Baker (R-Somerset, District 85).
Also present to assist with the hearing was Glenn Manns, Civics Empowers All Students Coordinator for We the People.
"Students researched various topics about our government using We the People curriculum," Patton commented. "All fifth grade students were provided with the We the People curriculum this year to boost students' success in civics, literacy, and related competencies through inclusive teaching to become engaged and informed citizens to take an active role in democracy."
The fifth graders showcased their knowledge on civics topics as a panel, defending their respective position based on the United States Constitution. Each group focused on a different unit.
The first group consisted of Nate Warren, Kinslie Smith, Jennifer Do, Korben Allen and Atreyu Smith. This group of students discussed Unit 2 of the curriculum, which addresses which major conflicts required the framers of the Philadelphia Convention to make compromises, why it was difficult for the framers to reach an agreement on how to resolve their conflict, and how the compromise of later adding a Bill of Rights affected the Constitution.
Group two included Izayah Patterson, Avery Damron, Isaiah Smith, Cole Knuckles, Cooper Harris, and Camila Mascorro. The group addressed the topics of Unit 3, pertaining to how the Constitution organizes government, the powers of the president, and how the framers used separation of powers and checks and balances to limit the powers of government.
The third and final group consisted of Max Barnard, Raelyn Ivy, Colt Collins, and Sadie Hamlin. This group discussed what freedom of expression is and why it is important to democracy, how the Constitution protects freedom of expression, how the Constitution protects freedom of religion, and what freedom of the press should entail — all of which is addressed in Unit 4.
We The People: Civics that Empowers All Students is a "federally funded project of the Center for Civic Education." The project is intended to support effective educator development. To learn more about We the People, visit
