Click here to watch the interview.
Walter Strom Middle School’s student teacher, Zoe Brown (under the mentorship of Mrs. Bronkema), organized an opportunity for our 7th grade PNW History students to Zoom and ask questions of Senator Warnick and Representative Dent.
The students have been learning about the legislative process and writing bills in class. Last week, Ms. Z (as the students call her) wrote to Senator Warnick and Representative Dent and asked if they could answer some questions and speak to our class via Zoom. The students were asked to write questions (based on their learning) and then assigned students to ask the questions to the local representatives. Students volunteered to come up in front of the camera and ask Senator Warnick and Representative Dent their questions while the other students took notes and recorded the responses. Some of the questions that the students asked included; “What is your favorite and least favorite part of your job?” “Has anyone ever tried to pay you to get a bill passed?” “Do you ever feel sad or disappointed when a bill you like dies?” “Do you have any tips for us as bill writers?” and “What is the weirdest bill you’ve ever gotten?”
The students had great questions and the answers that Senator Warnick and Representative Dent gave were genuine and thoughtful. It was a tremendous learning opportunity for our Cle Elum-Roslyn students.
Students pictured in the video are: Andrew (Drew) Giles, Presley Ohleman, Aspen Braun, Aeron Brown, Alyana Alzando, and Evelyn Hein. After the Zoom, both Senator Warnick and Representative Dent expressed interest in being able to do this activity in person next year. Mrs. Bronkema said, “I can't wait to make this a regular part of this unit!”