Keith Valley Students Sit in on Pennsylvania House Session

Keith Valley students in the enrichment program paid a special visit to the state Capitol Building in Harrisburg Nov. 19. After touring the building, the 7th and 8th grade students were able to sit in on a House of Representative session and participate in the ceremony commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.

“It was a wonderful day for the students,” Gifted Support Specialist Christine Fleming said. “The students learned about the legislative process in 7th grade and about the Civil War in 8th grade, so it brought the curriculum to life.”

At the anniversary ceremony, the students participated in a reading of the Gettysburg Address and listened to a discussion about how Lincoln’s 273 word speech impacted American life and history. The 8th grade students were captivated by the reading and discussion due to its connection with their current studies.

Rep. Todd Stephens, 151-R, invited the students to visit the Capitol Building after he visited them at Keith Valley earlier in the year. He held an open forum with the students for one of their classes and answered questions about local, state, and national issues.

“I think he was impressed at how civically informed they were,” Fleming said. “It was a very educated and polite forum where they could openly ask questions and discuss national topics. One of the things we focus on in class is having a factual argument rather than using second-hand opinions.”

Stephens also met the students after their tour of the Capitol Building to answer questions. Students were curious about the interior of the building, such as the gold used to accent the walls and ceiling, and the history of the building.

Students from the enrichment program take a field trip to the Capitol Building every other year to sit in on a session and take a tour.