What’s the role of the government? These days, we constantly hear arguments about how big or small the government should be. And with the concept of federalism popping up a lot in the US History Regents exam, Academy of Urban Planning and Engineering teacher Jorge Sandoval asked CUP to create a curriculum that would make it less abstract.
Jorge Sandoval, his 9th grade students, CUP, and CUP teaching artist Stephen Fiehn set out to experience what federalism looks like first-hand. The group started small by looking for signs of the government in their wallets. Then, they took to the streets looking for evidence of city, state, and federal government involvement in Bushwick. And finally, they interviewed a bodeguero, a liquor store owner, a bank manager, and an Army recruiter to understand the role of the government in local businesses and institutions.
To share their findings, they created a booklet called “Field Guide to Federalism”: it’s both a primer for US History students preparing to take their exams and a handy guide for anyone interested in doing this kind of investigation in their own school or neighborhood. In February of 2012, the students presented their work and led federalism-related design activities for more than 60 other students studying for the Regents exam. The booklet will continue to be used in US History classrooms at the Academy of Urban Planning and Engineering.