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We are excited to announce that the online submission portal for this year's We the Students essay contest will open on Monday, December 16, 2019, the day after Bill of Rights Day. This year's topic: What does civil discourse mean to you? $20,000 in scholarship funds will be awarded to fourteen students, including $7,500 to the first prize winner. Visit the website for rules and contest details.

We have also started accepting applications for Constitutional Academy, our annual summer program in Washington, D.C, for high school students. Learn more and apply here!

BRI Lessons & Resources

Impeachment and the Constitution
The House of Representatives is expected to draft two articles of impeachment today against President Trump. Here are some of the Bill of Rights Institute resources on impeachment, including the history of the Impeachments of Presidents Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. For more on the subject, you can explore Unit 4 of Presidents and the Constitution, Volume II.

Immigration in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era
In this lesson, students will explore the causes of immigration to the United States, the effects of immigration on American society, and the experience of immigrants during the Gilded Age and Progressive Era.

Carrie Chapman Catt: The Woman of the Hour and Purpose

In this American Portraits narrative and lesson, students will learn how Carrie Chapman Catt worked with purpose to advocate for a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to vote for women. They will use this example to be purposeful in their own lives.

BRI News

Think the Vote Debate: Supporting Hong Kong Protestors
Have you and your students seen our latest debate prompt on Think the Vote? The students who make the strongest argument on both sides of the debate will win gift cards, swag, and the opportunity to win a $1000 scholarship. Their referring teachers also win swag and a gift card. The latest question: Should the U.S. government support the Hong Kong protestors?

Monuments and Their Meanings Webinar Recording
The recording of our most recent Tenth Period webinar is now posted on our YouTube channel. BRI staff members Kirk and Rachel were joined by Mike Knapp, Chief of Historical Services at the American Battle Monuments Commission, and Sean Redmond, BRI Teacher Council Member, and National WWI Museum and Monument High School Teacher Fellow, as they discussed the complexities of war. They looked into what American battle monuments say about our civic values and how these ideas can be translated to the classroom.

Are We Coming to Your Neck of the Woods?
We would love to see you at one of our free day-long seminars or weekend colloquia this coming Spring! Check out the schedule to find out if we will be in your area, and let us know if you would like to request professional development for your school or district.

Educator Spotlight

Meet Joshua Llamas and Miranda Martinez!
Joshua Llamas and Miranda Martinez both come from the border city of Laredo, Texas, but that's not the only thing they have in common. Both are also alumni of the Bill of Rights Institute's Constitutional Academy; Joshua attended in 2013 and Miranda in 2019. Did we also mention that Joshua was Miranda's World History teacher at Lyndon B. Johnson High School in Laredo?...Read More.

BoE: Bottom of Email

Hello teacher friends!

As I look at our weather report for the week, I’m seeing a chance for snow on Wednesday and I can’t help but think of summer. Summer makes me think of Constitutional Academy which is one of my absolute favorite programs that we run as an organization. When I’ve helped with the program, I love watching students who have never been to D.C. get starry-eyed as they look out the bus windows at the monuments and I love giving students the opportunity to explore tough topics with peers from vastly different places and backgrounds than their own.

If you’re not familiar with the program, it’s a summer program for rising juniors, seniors, and college freshmen. It’s held in Arlington, VA, and over the course of the week, we’ll work on an overarching project tied to the program theme and workshop with other students from across the country; we’ll have the opportunity to have meaningful dialogue with experts in varied fields and visit key sites in the D.C. Metro area.

If you teach (or know) students who would be a great fit for this program, please encourage them to apply!

Happy Holidays to you and yours! I hope you have a restful and refreshing (and much, much deserved!) break.

All my best,

Laura Vlk
Senior Manager, Teacher Services

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