For anyone who hasn't checked it out yet, I definitely recommend it. It's written in a history book format, and that just adds to the humor. At the end of each chapter is a set of discussion questions, just like the books we had to endure in school. A sample list of the discussion questions from the end of the chapter on Congress and the legislative branch:
That's about it, would love to hear if anyone else has picked this up and enjoyed it.Discussion Questions:
1. If "con" is the opposite of "pro", then isn't Congress the opposite of progress? Or did we just fucking blow your mind?!?
2. What does "bicameral" mean? Are any of the girls in your class "bicameral?"
3. Which would you rather see getting made: sausage or laws?
4. In Star Wars: Episode II, Chancellor Palpatine convinces the Galactic Senate to grant him emergency powers in order to squelch the Seperatist movement's droid army, led by Count Dooku. But Palpatine ultimately abuses his authority, disbanding the Republic and appointing himself the lone ruler of a new Galactic Empire. Could it happen here?
5. How are you enjoying the book so far? Be honest.
6. Remember that old Schoolhouse Rock cartoon about the bill who sings a song about how he becomes a law? Hey, and what about the Snorks? Remember them?
Classroom Activities:
1. Take construction paper, trace your hand, and make a Turkey of Congress.
2. Ask your students to choreograph an interpretive dance or compose a tone poem that represents the spirit of their favorite piece of legislation currently under consideration by a Senate subcommitte.
3. Find out each representative's "porn name" by adding the name of the largest city in their district to the name of their state flower! (Example: Ben Chandler, D-KY = "Frankfurt Goldenrod")
4. Help the children make their own "mace"--the ebony and silver rod on the House rostrum symbolizing the authority of the House--out of paper towel rolls and elbow macaroni. Explain to the children they have just made useless representations of something that is itself useless and symbolic. Shame them.
5. Have fun with the gerrymander! On the right are five congressional districts in rural Texas that have experienced a sudden upswing in minority population. Using only three straight lines, can you re-draw the boundaries to consolidate white power in four of the five districts? If you can, please contact the office of Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX).
- "The Columbus Scarlet Carnation"
