HOW TO SCHEDULE AND PREPARE FOR A CLASSROOM VISIT

1. Already read about America's Legislators Back to School Program, perused lesson plans, and know what type of activity you'd like your students to focus on?

2. Find legislators in your school district by typing in your school's address, or find by using the map.

3. Invite a legislator into your classroom at least two to three weeks prior to the desired date of his/her visit. Don't give up if your phone call isn't returned immediately. Most legislators have fulltime jobs in addition to their public service and family responsibilities. Each Utah representative represents approximately 30,000 people and each Utah senator represents approximately 70,000 people, so you can appreciate their daily time constraints. Leave a detailed voice message inviting the legislator to a classroom in your school and request a return phone call. Once you touch base with your legislator, discuss your lesson objective and ask what they would feel most comfortable doing to help meet the needs of your students. There are so many meaningful options to provide value to an interactive session between legislator and classroom students.

4. Please complete an evaluation form after the event that will help state and national program organizers assess the effectiveness of this program.

5. Your involvement in this vital civic education program will make a difference in the attitudes of our future voters and leaders. Educating them with hands-on experience will help them understand that they can make a difference in public policy at the school and community level, and state and national level. They RULE and their ideas count!

6. Questions? Contact Shelley Day, Program Coordinator, at 801-538-1032, 801-326-1600, or shelleyday@utah.gov.